ERI Programs | Health Care Career Ladder

Health Care Career Ladder

ERI partnered with Visiting Nurse Association of Eastern Massachusetts (VNA) and Neville Manor to improve the quality of health care given at nursing homes while simultaneously elevating the lowest health care jobs. The organizations instituted a training program for certified nursing assistants (CNA) to improve and enhance CNAs' role in a nursing home.

CNAs provide basic care for patients, such as feeding and cleaning, and typically spend the most time with patients. They are frequently immigrants not fluent in English or with less schooling. The high demands of the job combined with low pay and little respect have cultivated a position with high turnover rates.

ERI and the VNA created the Extended Care Career Ladder to combat the high turnover while seeking to change the culture in nursing homes.

ERI, through its One-Stop Career Centers, Career Source, provides individual career development plans for the participating CNAs. Additionally, Career Source staff work with CNA supervisors offering management training skills.

The increased training and education has empowered the CNAs, making them less frustrated and less likely to leave the VNA's nursing home. At the end of the program the aides will be promoted to a new position and receive a raise. The program also instructs nurses and other higher level staff on how to better support their subordinates and ultimately results in providing better care for their patients. The program has opened the door to those CNAs interested in pursuing more education to obtain a registered nursing or licensed practical nursing degree.

Back to Programs