News
June 29, 2022116 Area Adults Are Set to Enter the World of Medicine Thanks to Capital Region BOCES
The adults will graduate from Capital Region BOCES Adult Health Careers Program during ceremonies on June 28 at The Desmond. A ceremony for part-time program graduates begins at 4 p.m. followed by one for full-time graduates at 7 p.m.
The adults from this year’s class—who hail from communities as far afield as Clifton Park, Hudson and Highland, Ulster County—have completed either a 10-month, full-time or an 18-month, part-time practical nursing program that encompassed more than 1,100 hours of training that prepared them to take the certification exam to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Most have done so while holding down jobs and caring for their families.
Among them is Tenneil Thompson, a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) at Ghent Rehab Facility, who lives in Hudson.
“I have been a CNA for some time and decided it was time to advance myself,” Thompson said.
“I have always had a passion for helping people, caring for people and this program will allow me to do that and make a good living,” said Thompson, who emigrated to the U.S. in 2012 from Jamaica.
Also scheduled to graduate is Shahinda Ghaly who commutes 170 miles roundtrip daily from her home in Highland, Ulster County to the Career and Technical School in Albany.
“It’s three hours a day in the car, but it is worth it,” said Ghaly. “I was an RN student at (a downstate college) and I had to leave because of my son’s illness. I decided to go back and I looked around and even Dutchess BOCES recommended Capital Region BOCES, so I decided the drive was worth it for the education.”
Ghaly’s son, Tarek, developed epilepsy several years ago, fueling her passion for a career in medicine.
“I went from doctor to doctor. Nobody seemed to care or bother to help. He also has autism and that brought challenges that they could not overcome. I decided I had to help him so I decided I wanted to become a nurse practitioner,” she said.
Paula Negri, principal of the Adult Health Careers Center, said the graduates will find themselves in high demand in the healthcare industry.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for LPNs will grow 9 percent by 2030 with nearly 64,000 new jobs being created.
“The healthcare industry is in need of hardworking people who are dedicated to helping others,” she said.
