From Student to Success: CNA Program Offered by Tennessee DHS Grantee Daughters of Zion Showcases Graduate Anquinette Foy
By: Staff on October 28, 2024
MEMPHIS—TN. In the continuation of our student-to-success series – we feature Ms. Anquinette Foy – as Daughters of Zion, a Family First Grantee, looks back at the impact of the CNA class more than a year ago. Ms. Foy, who is originally from Memphis Tennessee, is a graduate of the August 2023 cohort and is currently a Certified Nursing Assistant at St. Francis Hospital. The impact of the Family First Grant through the Daughters of Zion class has a resounding effect and it is hoped that the ripple effect will be felt in the coming years and beyond.
Interviewer: Thank you for agreeing to this interview.
Anquinette: I am overjoyed.
Interviewer: How did you hear about the program at Daughters of Zion?
Anquinette: I found the program on Facebook. I had a good feeling when I saw it – especially when I saw that it was free. I have always wanted to get into the nursing field as I feel like it is my calling.
Interviewer: What were you doing before you enrolled?
Anquinette: I was working here and there in warehouses – I felt trapped from being in a building like that all day.
Interviewer: How prepared were you for the licensing exam?
Anquinette: I passed the knowledge and clinical test the first time that I took it. I used the books – I practiced with online sample tests – The instructor gave us study questions – I was well prepared for the test.
Interviewer: How did DOZ prepare you for the world of work in the Nursing Assistant field?
Anquinette: The classes were on point in terms of skills that you use on the job. People at my job kept asking me how long I was doing it. (Laughing) I have never done it professionally before – it felt good.
Interviewer: You went through a period of illness right after you got certified – How did you pick yourself back up?
Anquinette: I just pushed through because I did not want to give up on my dream.
Interviewer: How long did it take you to find a job?
Anquinette: Not long – I got hired at a job fair on the spot – I wanted to be in a hospital not a Long Term Care facility. They started me on the high end of the salary scale – I get an add-on to my pay if I work certain hours and there is also a bonus which is paid over a period of time.
3 years ago there was a high turnover of CNAs but the pay has since been boosted to prevent that from happening.
Interviewer: What are some of your job duties at St. Francis?
Anquinette: I take vitals – I take patients to dialysis – and I do discharge – currently I am being trained to give medication. When you walk into a room and you bring a smile to a person who is sick – by smiling or by bringing water or coffee – that makes my day. I have met a lot of people (I am a people person) – it is a plus to get paid for doing what I do.
Interviewer: What is your work schedule like?
Anquinette: I work 3 days for 12 hours – This is what I love about my job – they fix your schedule to prevent burnout. I have a very good work-life balance.
Interviewer: Which opportunities are open to you in your current position?
Anquinette: Becoming a Med Tech and an EKG Tech – The training is done at the hospital – I would get an increase in salary – but I will always keep my CNA license.
Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Anquinette: I hope to own my own care home to give people an option rather than the nursing home. Many people go to the nursing home not because they are sick but because they don’t have any family – I would like to create a home environment for them.
Interviewer: What would you say about DOZ and its impact?
Anquinette: It’s like joining a family. Dr. Kiner is beautiful – yes he is beautiful. Making sure we were taken care of – looking out for us – providing security seeing that the classes were at night. I felt safe there. I would tell anyone – go for it and stick with it – you have no excuse. Thank you DOZ for being with me on this journey.
To enroll in Daughters of Zion’s June CNA Cohort call 901-570-3220 or use the link below https://app.praxischool.com/site_login.php?s=8499. William and Johnson Career College is a subsidiary of Daughters of Zion