Westside High School saw its first batch of students emerge as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), stepping promptly into the local healthcare workforce. A special ceremony held on Tuesday honored these 16 trailblazers—the first graduates from Team Duval’s CNA program. According to a statement from Duval County Public Schools, this dual achievement allows them to confidently enter the medical field with both a high school diploma and a CNA license in hand.
Through a rigorous three-year program, these students have to quickly adapt and successfully navigate the complexities of healthcare training. Kiera Frazier, one of the graduates, shared in an interview with the district, "Truly before I started this program, I really didn’t know where I was going to go at all with my future." She continued, highlighting the program's impact, "I truly didn’t even see myself making it to my senior year. So, for this program to really give me something to look forward to and really give me something to have, like it really means a lot." Her aspirations in forensic nursing underline the program's potential to propel students into diverse fields within healthcare, as per Duval County Public Schools.
The commencement ceremony underscored the district's dedication to creating tangible career paths for students through comprehensive Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiatives. Partnership with esteemed institutions like Ascension St. Vincent's and Mayo Clinic ensured that the graduating CNAs were poised for immediate employment, equipped with the necessary training and professional demeanor that these roles demand.
Jill Fierle, the district’s Director of CTE Programs, celebrated the occasion noting, "The CNA pinning ceremony tonight represented more than just program completion." Fierle's words, as told to the district’s news publication, emphasized, "It's a recognition of who these students have become on this journey and a celebration of their professional accomplishments in the healthcare industry." She made it clear that such programs are a result of extensive effort and dedication from all involved, setting a solid foundation for student success beyond the classroom, according to Duval County Public Schools.
With Westside High School pioneering the way, Atlantic Coast High School is also gearing up to honor its own inaugural class of CNAs later this month.
