Newly-Certified Nursing Assistants Graduate Gurwin Training Program In Suffolk

COMMACK, NY — Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center celebrated 13 graduates from its Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program with a commencement ceremony on Tuesday, the center announced.

Each graduate wore hand-decorated commencement caps with traditional maroon scrubs for the ceremony. The graduating class paraded through the Gurwin hallways to cheering staff and residents showing their support.

"The need for CNAs has never been greater, especially in long-term care," Gurwin President and CEO Stuart Almer said in a news release. "Our training program enables Gurwin to grow our staff from within, ensuring they are well-trained and ready to join our clinical team. We couldn’t be prouder of our graduating class – truly all the graduates of the CNA training to date – and we look forward to seeing their success as full-time CNAs."

The CNA Training Program at Gurwin was created in late 2021 because of a shortage of CNAs in long-term care, according to Gurwin. The program, approved by the NYS Department of Health, enables current employees in various non-clinical roles — including housekeeping, security, home care and resident care associate — to "earn while they learn" clinical care in a 460-bed nursing and rehabilitation center in Commack.

In addition, community members not currently employed at Gurwin are able to submit an application for the program, which is free to those enrolled. The program provides trainees with the promise of full-time employment at the Gurwin Center or its affiliate, Island Nursing and Rehab Center in Holtsville, if they pass the NYS certification exam.

Of the more than 80 graduates of the CNA Program to date, more than 50 have joined the Gurwin Healthcare System team as full-time CNAs or are pending test results prior to being hired into that role.

Within the graduating class was Jason Hernandez, a former Gurwin security guard who was interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field and was inspired to begin through Gurwin’s CNA Training Program. He is now on track to fulfil his goal of becoming a registered nurse.

"Being a part of the CNA training program at Gurwin has been very rewarding," Hernandez said. "It feels amazing to help people. I am so grateful to have been a security guard here because it helped me get my foot in the door and start the career that I have always wanted."