Maxine Thomas, risk manager for St. Annes Nursing Center at the Catholic Health Services South Campus in Miami, is determined to receive her RN degree. But having an extremely busy schedule working full time, parenting and continuing her education, it has been quite the struggle. When Maxine first heard about Career Learning Centers, a large weight was lifted off her shoulders. Career Learning Centers offers an accelerated LPN to RN bridge program that was specifically designed to include a mix of face-to-face tutoring, self-paced study materials, and online tutoring to ensure success on examinations, and all in a format that fits the busy schedule of an adult student.
(front l-r) Maxine Thomas and Katherine Thompson
(back l-r) Theresa Harris and Vanessa Munoz
Maxine was ready to follow her dreams and finish her degree but still found the challenge of driving over 50 miles each way to the Career Learning Centers, in Fort Lauderdale quite daunting. Always thinking big, Maxine inquired about setting up a “host facility” location at St. Annes Nursing Center.
Happily, Career Learning Centers agreed and promised that with every (10) students that signed up per facility, they would award one scholarship, as well as, extend a 15% discount to the staff of Catholic Health Services. Currently, there are fifty students registered at St. Annes. Twenty percent are employees of Catholic Health Services, the rest are from the surrounding community. CLC has over 400 students enrolled in both their Fort Lauderdale and Miami locations. The average class size is under 15 students, which allows for greater personal attention. To her delight, Maxine is now part of this program as well as many others who have signed up and are headed toward finishing their dream.
(l-r) Maxine Thomas and Katherine Thompson first two awarded Scholarship Programs at St. Annes Nursing Center
“We hope to continue to grow our student population at St. Annes and are dedicated to helping nurses in this very diverse community reach their educational and career goals. We here at Career Learning Centers (CLC) are excited to announce that we are currently working on the licensure for a LPN program that will be taught both in Ft. Lauderdale and SW Miami. Soon we will be adding to our offering other allied health programs as well as a CNA program! Lastly, we would like to employ instructors from the South Miami area as well as St. Annes to encourage community involvement while tackling the nursing shortage together,” says Milly Wodarz, Admissions Representative for Career Learning Centers.
The presence of Career Learning Center at the CHS South Campus has been a wonderful experience for all its employees. It provides them the opportunity to have on-site education, less staff interruptions thanks to flexible schedules, has energized the campus and motivated staff anticipating future potential for career advancement for CNAs and LPNs. The program expects to open the doors to the community by providing seminars and continuing education opportunities. “The teachers are great, the classes are extremely helpful and they are all geared towards nursing, even the prerequisites”, comments Katherine Thompson, St. Annes Nursing Center.
