More than 20 Shawsheen Tech Students Pass CNA Exam

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the administration of Shawsheen Tech.)

Twenty-four Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Health Technology juniors have officially passed their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam, a state examination administered on-site by the Red Cross.

The test is comprehensive with a written examination of 100 questions and a rigorous practical test. Students were asked to demonstrate two of the following skills: bed making, bed baths, feeding, oral care, obtaining the vital signs pulse and temperature, and demonstrating care of catheters.

Of the 24 students that passed the CNA examination, 11 are currently working in cooperative education jobs in assisted living or long-term care.

“I want to thank the tax payers for their investment in our life-science wing that was constructed a year ago,” said Charles Lyons, the Superintendent/Director at Shawsheen Tech. “These are the kinds of results you get for investing in people. This is what you get back. This is very positive, giving young people the opportunity to be productive adults.”

Shawsheen Tech instructor Patty Micalizzi said the CNA is valuable for students as they can begin work immediately in the health care field and gain necessary experience if they are pursuing a career in nursing or allied health.

“These students have demonstrated maturity and compassion as they care for our geriatric population on a daily basis,” Micalizzi said.

The students that passed the exam include Wilmington residents Sonja Gilson and Breanne Palmer, Tewksbury residents Sarah Minichiello, Stephanie Conley, Matthew Mann and Breanna Jacques and Billerica residents Amanda Angelo, Brigitte Bartocha, Marisa Carlson, Christina Cassidy, Charlene Clerveau, Nichole DeMarco, Samantha DeVitto, Erin Gallagher, Laura Heasley, Rachel Hobbs, Cristina Homem, Deenah Jacques, Alexandra Mango, Brianna McGrath, Christina Nicolopoulos, Kelsey Rogers, Jaclyn St. George and Meghan Sullivan.