​Refugees in PA Success Story

Greater Access to Independence
for Newcomers (GAIN)

GAIN staff members worked on preparing the first in-house certified nursing assistant (CNA) preparation class. Class started on Sept. 22, with 12 future CNA students attending the same. GAIN’S CNA prep class offers the basics of what to expect when performing the duties and responsibilities of a nursing assistant, however, this is a career in which skill levels and confidence dramatically improve once the nursing assistant becomes involved in the daily routine of actual performing patient care and their needs. The instructor for the class was Ms. Barbara Seriano, a board-certified ANCC in psychiatric mental health nursing.

The training, which provided instruction and applied skill sessions, helped prepare clients for the mandatory certified nursing assistant state license exam and class. Thanks to the IRS' efforts to get our clients into this program, our clients now have a chance to advance to more sustainable employment.

In our CNA preparation program, refugees are trained for careers in hospital and nursing home settings. Several times per year, we will offer a nine-week training course for our prospective clients wishing to enter a profession in the medical field.