LIHU‘E — Unemployment and changing needs in healthcare are creating a big demand for certified nurse aides, said Sharon Chiba, a Kaua‘i Community College counselor. Patients are going home earlier from hospitals which means CNA teams do more home visits
LIHU‘E — Unemployment and changing needs in healthcare are creating a big demand for certified nurse aides, said Sharon Chiba, a Kaua‘i Community College counselor.
Patients are going home earlier from hospitals which means CNA teams do more home visits while patients recover. This changing need is combined with an aging population that requires help.
As demand rises, KCC plans to offer the CNA course twice a year instead of its current once-a-year offering.
“We’re already filled up for the next semester, but there are other courses people can take while waiting for the opening,” said Judith Brown, a KCC nursing instructor.
There is also a waiting list for students wanting to get into the nursing program, but Brown said they can also take other classes while waiting.
To alleviate the demand for more openings in the nursing program, Serena Arts, another KCC nursing instructor, said there is work being done on several portable classrooms with a target opening coinciding with the start of fall semester.
“It’s going to have some state-of-the-art features including a skills and simulation lab,” Brown said.
In addition to the work being done to expand the nursing program, one of the new offerings at KCC is the art and digital media program being headed by Wayne Miyata and Dr. Paul Hemmeria.
Candidates for this career option can work for a graphic design certificate, Web design certificate or transfer to a university or art institute.
Course offerings vary depending on the desired final outcome and range from studio art courses, proposed digital media courses and Adobe Software courses offered through the KCC Office of Continuing Education and Training.
People desiring more information on the digital arena can call Miyata at 245-8284, or Hemmeria at 245-8315.
Rhonda Liu, the Outreach Counselor for KCC, said the program of being on the mall at least once a month during the summer is geared for adult learners looking to return to school.
The mall appearance will be followed up with a Pau Hana Social from 5 to 6 p.m. at the KCC Hawaiian Studies building, the first one starting this Wednesday.
The social is free and open to the public and allows people an opportunity to get a feel of the college and its campus, Liu said.
Liu said the next mall appearance by KCC representatives is scheduled for June 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, call Liu at 245-8261 or Pua Larson at 245-8330.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
