Beaufort County Community College turned out more qualified healthcare workers as students from the nurse aide I, nurse aide II and phlebotomy programs achieved their certificates. The Continuing Education Division congratulated all of the program graduates at a ceremony on May 14.

Seven students finished the nurse aide I program, six completed the nurse aide II program and four completed the phlebotomy program. Rural areas have a high demand for these fields, as they tend to have older populations in need of routine healthcare and long-term care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 2,560 annual job openings in North Carolina for nurse aides. North Carolina is exceeded only by Florida in the Southeast in terms of nurse aide job growth. The next Nurse Aide I class has already begun, but refresher courses will start at the end of May and June.

Melissa Adams, Chaleigh Baynor, Ashley Granados, Brandy Jarvis, Cierra Lassiter, Amy Smith and Sarah Tyson completed the nurse aide I course. Ashley Hodges, Aquita Holley, Sonya Hopkins, Darmecal Hyman, Shannon Owens and Tonya Walker completed the nurse aide II course. Krista Daw, Desember Mears, Shannon Owens and Jessica Perez completed the phlebotomy course.

Graduates of the nurse aide programs can provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills for elderly adults. Phlebotomy students learn to draw blood. BCCC now offers in-facility testing, meaning students can take state certification tests at the college. Previously, students would have had to wait until testing was offered in Greenville or travel to locations like Hickory or Charleston before they could begin employment.

Students participate in clinical internships as part of the program at locations such as Vidant Multispecialty Clinic in Belhaven, River Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation in Washington, or Lab Corp in Greenville. Several students have already been hired by Vidant and River Trace.

“Whether this is a first step into the healthcare field or an opportunity to expand their skills, these students are moving into promising careers that will sustain their families and our community,” said Jackie Butcher, director of healthcare programs for continuing education.

The college offers a variety of healthcare programs, from nurse aide and registered medical assistant training to starting nurses on their bachelor’s degrees through the RIBN program. This variety of programs means that the college can cater to students who are starting or returning to college later in life, advancing their certification or changing careers. BCCC’s connection to the local healthcare industry means that students fill needed positions in a variety of services throughout the community.

For more information about BCCC’s nurse aide program, interested persons should contact Jackie Butcher, 252-940-6263.