Rafaela Samano is well qualified to care for hospital patients, and she hasn't even graduated from high school yet. The 18-year-old was one of nine young women who completed Estrella Mountain Community College's first certified nursing assistant program on May 9. The others completing the program are: Loretta Duru, Natividad Garcia, Veronica Guerrero, Anna Harris, Cynthia Lopez, Zabdy Montenegro, Dorcas Paddy and Adriana Verdin.

The community college partnered with Dysart High School to allow students to accumulate high school credit and EMCC SouthWest Skill Center hours, while receiving their nursing assistant certification. "I was excited to do it for Dysart High School, but even more excited for the Skill Center," said Bob Delaney, instruction coordinator for the Skill Center. Clay Goodman, associate dean of occupational education, was asked to take over Dysart High's nursing assistant program through the college. "We were talking about doing this program, but this got us going early," Goodman said. "We've gotten inquiries from other high schools now to do the program." More people may be interested in the CNA program than the Skill Center can handle right now, but "those are good problems to have," Goodman said.

The CNA program was an important opportunity for Samano. The El Mirage resident said she valued the learning experience and the people she met. "I'm interested in the health field, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to see my options. It helped me see how important the job of a CNA is," Samano said. The students got clinical work experience at Palm Valley Rehabilitation and Care Center in Goodyear. "At first, I was kind of shy," Samano said. "It was a different experience. I started looking forward to those days though." Samano applied to Phoenix College and wants to become a dental hygienist in the future. She already has applied to Del E. Webb Memorial Hospital in Sun City West for a nursing assistant position.

The Skill Center held a small ceremony with a personal touch for the teen-age graduates in late May. "It's a historic day for us," said Adolfo Gamez, Skill Center director. "Don't let this be your last stop though. We want you to succeed. Your positions are in high demand."

Instructors talked about how each student matured through the program. "These students have learned what it takes to be a nursing assistant, and I have learned what it is to be a teen-age girl," said instructor Charles Whitehead. He joked about the girls' choice of music during van rides and love of pizza and doughnuts.

The graduates also took an opportunity to share their emotional gratitude with their instructors. "They're wonderful young people and I know they're going to go far," said Patricia Reeder, nursing program coordinator. "It hasn't been easy. It isn't an easy profession." Dysart High School already has twice as many students as this year interested in the CAN program with the college next year. Judging by the success achieved over the last 10 months, the program will continue to produce quality healthcare workers, said Instructor Angela Charles. "When I first started with these students, they were my inspiration to teach," Charles said. "If they're going to be in healthcare, I am ready to get old." Estrella Mountain Community College and the SouthWest Skill Center are at 3000 N. Dysart Road. Call the Skill Center at 623-535-2700 for course information.