Patient. Compassionate. Kind. These are just a few of the qualities Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) must have.

Three Powell High School students demonstrate these qualities and are registered CNAs in Powell.

To become a CNA, senior Marie Ramier took the Nursing Assistant class at Northwest College. The online class took about a month to complete in which she was required to do three ten-hour clinical labs.

After completing the class, she took the Wyoming State Board of Nursing CNA License Exam, which allowed her to become a CNA. The test involved a written and clinical portion. In the clinical portion, Ramier had to pass three tested skills.

“Some of the challenges were just learning how to take the vital measurements,” Ramier said. “Learning how to use the lifts for different people was also different for the different facilities.”

As a CNA, Ramier now works at Heartland Assisted Living.

“I used to work as a student aide for the hospital, and while working in the various departments, the director of the Heartland told me to apply for their PRN position,” Ramier said. “This was exciting for me because the Heartland is my favorite department of the hospital.”

The PRN position stands for “As Needed.” There is no set amount of hours, but Ramier still works every Friday and Saturday.

“”I get to spend time with some really exciting and interesting residents and learn about their experiences,” Ramier said. “I practice the CNA skills I learned while I get to have fun with them at the same time.”

Senior McKenna Werbelow also passed the class and the test to become a CNA.

“It was a pretty easy class for me,” Werbelow said. “The actual test that I was required to take to get my license was challenging because it caused you to be hands on.”

Werbelow is working in the Care Center at the nursing home.

“I have enjoyed it very much,” Werbelow said. “It’s exactly what I thought it would be. It’s stressful and crazy, but you get close with every resident and build a friendship.”

She found this job through her mother who works there as a ward clerk.

“You work with old people and get personal with them because of the needs,” Werbelow said. “But it is a great job for those that are passionate about it.”

Senior Rachel Gutierrez is also a CNA, having successfully passed the test.

“Some of the challenges I faced were with the actual test itself,” Gutierrez said. “ … I struggled with the written portion of it with how the questions were worded. But I studied hard and took it again and passed.”

While Gutierrez currently works at the hospital in the kitchen, not as a CNA, she hopes to change that soon.

“I have an interview today so hopefully I will start soon,” Gutierrez said.

It takes a certain type of person to be a CNA.

“The most important qualities of a CNA are [working well with others],” Gutierrez said. “And knowing what you’re doing is huge because you don’t want to injure yourself or a resident. Having good work skills such as problem solving and communication [is also important].”