Shawsheen Tech 11th Grade Health Assisting Students Earn CNA Certificates

Below is a press release from the Shawsheen Tech:

BILLERICA, MA — Shawsheen Tech’s 11th grade Health Assisting students earned their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificates making them eligible to work in a variety of health care opportunities.

The program earned an impressive one-hundred percent success rate as all eight qualified students passed the comprehensive written and skills test. They are now eligible to work in long term care facilities, assisted living, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals. In addition, they will receive a higher hourly rate with the CNA certification.

“These new nurse assistants are in great demand,” explained Shawsheen Tech Health Assisting teacher, Patricia Micalizzi. “They will help address the nursing shortage as they pursue co-operative employment.”

The opportunities presented by the CNA license is welcomed by the Health Assisting students.

“I have learned so much from becoming a CNA, and it completely changed my perspective on life,” said Emma McDermott, a Billerica resident. “This shop has given me so many opportunities.”

Eva Oppedisano, of Wilmington, is excited for the challenges this new level of licensure provides.

“The best part of being a CNA is getting the opportunity to interact with different patients and experience their unique situations and stories,” added Oppedisano.

Shawsheen Tech boasts a strong co-operative employment program which provides eligible 11th and 12th graders the valuable opportunity to be employed in their vocational-technical fields of study while still in high school to enhance their educational experience in a real-world setting. From last April through this February, Shawsheen co-op students have worked 75,964 hours and earned $1,222,994 with an hourly pay rate average of $16.15. During that same period, Health Assisting co-op students have logged 6,954 hours and earned $130,577 ($18.71 average hourly rate).

“We are extremely proud of these students and the positive impact they will have on the community,” added Shawsheen Tech Director of Vocational-Technical Programs, Dave Norkiewicz. “They can now go out into the workforce and perform critical tasks that ensure patients are well-cared for and safe.”

Shawsheen Tech’s 11th grade Health Assisting students earned their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificates making them eligible to now work in a variety of health care opportunities. Front row (L to R): Mariarose Doucette (Billerica), Micaela Oliver (Burlington), Layla Souza (Billerica). Back row: Allie Oliver (Burlington), Emma McDermott (Billerica), Eva Oppedisano (Wilmington), Hope LeDoux (Billerica), Finley Dunham (Tewksbury).

About Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational School District

stablished in 1965, Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District (SVRVTSD) is a student-centered public institution serving the five member towns of Billerica, Bedford, Burlington, Tewksbury, and Wilmington. Shawsheen Valley Technical High School serves more than 1,300 students in grades 9-12 and is “Dedicated to Excellence in Education,” integrating academics with more than 20-vocational-technical career pathways.

Located in Billerica on a sprawling 100-acre campus, Shawsheen features state-of-the-art facilities and athletic fields, twenty-four varsity sports, and dozens of extra-curricular clubs and activities. All Shawsheen’s faculty and staff are committed to the mission “to provide a positive learning experience in a safe educational environment that encourages all students to reach their full potential, emphasizes the value of a strong work ethic, and prepares them for adult life in a competitive world.”

Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District also provides high-quality educational programming for youths and adults through Adult Education, Afterschool Exploratory Programs, Community Events, and Summer Camps and Enrichment Programs. Shawsheen is consistently working to increase its rich and varied programming opportunities for the community, which supports its mission that education is a lifelong, continuous process with many paths to living a successful and fulfilling life.