In an effort to reduce staff turnover, Wrangell (Alaska) Medical Center is funding professional training for local community members, according to the Alaska Public Radio.
Under the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium's program, residents in the area take a six-week course to become certified nursing assistants at the hospital.
CNAs work under registered nurses and help take care of patients at the Wrangell Medical Center.
After the training program is over, the CNAs are offered jobs at the medical center. Most stay to work because they have roots in the community, hospital officials said.
Before implementing the training program, the Wrangell hospital relied heavily on traveling CNAs.
Hospital officials said they will be able to cut the number of traveling CNAs in half when the first cohort is certified and working. This will not only save the hospital money, but will help the hospital reduce turnover, according to the report.
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