‘If you are determined, you can really go far:’ Celebrating National Nursing Assistant Week

In honor of National Nursing Assistant Week, we spoke with Nephew Laroc, a recent graduate of Catholic Charities Boston’s NA/HHA program. Thanks to the support system and dedication of the program staff, Nephew is now working as a CNA at South Shore Hospital. Learn more in our Q&A below:

What led you to sign up for the Nursing Assistant program in Brockton?

I’m from Haiti and came to the United States last year. I’ve always wanted to be part of the healthcare system as a physician or a nurse, but I wanted to come study in the U.S. first. When I came here, my cousin, who’s a CNA too, told me about the Catholic Charities program and the possibility to continue my nursing studies after. I used to live in Brockton, so I chose the Catholic Charities program in Brockton and am so glad I did.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

What I enjoyed the most was learning about health a little more every day––it is a very interesting field. I had one of the best teachers who made it easier for us to learn by how she explained each notion to us. She was always there to help us.

How did the program staff support you in finding the job at South Shore Hospital?

We had a job fair at school and a former student was there. She works at South Shore Hospital and told us about her job, so I decided to apply. We have an employment coach at the school who helped me with my resume and the application.

What aspect of working as a nursing assistant excites you most?

For me, the most exciting part is the ability to grow personally and professionally, which will position me for advancement in this field. When they introduced the Chief of Nursing Operations at the orientation this week, one of the most captivating things was the fact that he was a CNA 15 years earlier. I found his journey very inspiring. If you are determined – if you know what you want — you can really go far.

To learn more about Catholic Charities Boston’s NA/HHA programs, click here.

To find out how you can support students like Nephew, and Catholic Charities’ clients in need, visit our Ways to Give page.