
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 4, 1993                   TAG: 9309040257
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Short

NURSES' AIDES GRADUATE FROM NRCC

Eighteen students graduated as nurses' aides Friday at a ceremony conducted at the Pulaski Health Care Center, where they had their clinical experience.

The 90-hour course is taught at New River Community College, with 45 hours of classroom instruction on principles of care, restorative services, mental-social needs and resident rights; and 45 hours of clinical personal care experience in a nursing home.

Students who complete the program are eligible to take the state competency examination for certification and, on passing that, can work in nursing homes.

Jill Fern has been teaching the course for three years, but it has been available prior to that. Usually there are five classes offered each year, and an average of 10 students in each class.

"We are just so pleased that the Pulaski Health Care Center has allowed us to use their facilities," Fern said.

by CNB