Howard County Helps "RENEW" Student Dreams

Providing a career ladder for low and moderate-income students to advance from a non-healthcare or basic healthcare level to Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is the goal of the Register, Earn, Nursing, Education, Work (RENEW) Project of Howard County. A part of the Howard County Community Development Block Grant effort, the project helps students develop the skills to succeed in the academic and work setting. Emphasis is placed on mentoring and counseling of participants to increase retention and completion rates. Not only is the program helping students become self-sufficient, it is reducing the impact of the nursing shortage on Maryland's healthcare system.

To date, RENEW has been able to successfully certify eight (8) Certified Nursing Assistants. Thirteen students are taking prerequisite courses for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. Students are assisted in many ways including creation of study and support groups, childcare, tutoring and advisement. Other help comes in the form of resume preparation, employment contacts and job placement. Five healthcare facilities are currently recruiting RENEW participants and three have employed RENEW students. Contact Eileen Skidmore (eskidmore@co.ho.md.us) for more information.

Content Archived: February 15, 2011