The Chesapeake Celebrates New Class of Advanced CNAs

At The Chesapeake, delivering exceptional care includes investing in team members. Through its Advanced Certified Nursing Assistant (Advanced CNA) program, team members can build on their clinical skills, expand their knowledge, and grow into leadership roles within the caregiving team.

After 17 weeks of dedication, sacrifice, and growth, a remarkable group of caregivers earned the distinction of becoming Advanced Certified Nursing Assistants (Advanced CNAs) through the rigorous standards set by the Virginia Board of Nursing this past Spring.

While these graduates began the journey already serving as healthcare professionals(CNAs), they leave this program transformed into something even greater: advanced clinical leaders within the caregiving team.

The graduation ceremony honored not only their achievement, but also the heart behind their profession. A quote from Maya Angelou captured the spirit of the evening:

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

For years, these CNAs have embodied that philosophy through compassionate care. By pursuing advanced certification, they strengthened that compassion with expanded clinical expertise, ensuring residents receive care that is both deeply personal and highly skilled.

A Journey of Dedication

The path to certification was anything but easy.

Many participants balanced full-time schedules of 40-plus hours on the nursing floor while attending four-hour evening classes twice a week for 17 consecutive weeks. Long days, late nights, and countless sacrifices became part of their routine.

Their commitment reflects more than personal ambition; it represents a profound dedication to providing residents with the highest level of care possible.

Expanding Clinical Excellence

Through more than 45 hours of advanced clinical training, graduates developed specialized skills that will directly impact resident outcomes and quality of life.

Their enhanced training included:

• Specialized wound care techniques
• Restorative care strategies focused on improving resident independence
• Advanced cognitive care approaches for residents living with dementia
• Strengthened Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) response skills
• Advanced communication and leadership preparation for interdisciplinary care teams

As Albert Schweitzer once said:

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

These graduates have expanded their ability to do exactly that.

No longer simply following care plans, they are now prepared to help lead them — serving as critical eyes, ears, communicators, and advocates within the healthcare team.

Emerging Leaders in Healthcare

The ceremony also recognized the growing leadership role Advanced CNAs play within healthcare facilities.

Graduates were celebrated as leaders of the nursing aide team — professionals prepared to step confidently into more complex resident care situations while strengthening communication with nurses and interdisciplinary teams.

Special appreciation was extended to instructor Kathleen May, whose guidance, encouragement, and perseverance helped students successfully navigate the demanding program schedule. Gratitude was also shared for the families and support systems who stood beside students during exhausting weeks of study and clinical preparation.

Ready to Weather the Storm

The ceremony concluded with an inspiring reminder from Louisa May Alcott:

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

Healthcare can often feel like a storm, but these graduates now move forward equipped with advanced clinical knowledge, workplace readiness, leadership skills, and — most importantly — hearts dedicated to service.

Their achievement marks not only a personal milestone, but a meaningful investment in the future of compassionate, high-quality resident care.

Congratulations to the newest class of Advanced CNAs. Your dedication is already making a difference!

Course Graduates (Pictured from left to right):
Patrina Moulten-Bailey
Serrita Harris
Cherise Gordon
Lynn Lawson
Garnet “Marie” Friedel
Keshanie Eubanks