Congratulations, Yuliana!
by Vicki Heisser |
PWSC student Yuliana Salado is, as she states, “so excited” to begin her work as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) here in Valdez. Having completed the CNA program and passed the state exam, she is ready to take the next step in her career. However, the road she took to get here was not without difficulties.
Yuliana came to Valdez from Chihuahua, Mexico, eight years ago to be with her family. She began her educational journey in the United States with PWSC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program and knew that nursing was an ultimate goal.
She explains, “I always knew I wanted to help others and I am interested in nursing. Taking the CNA program is a pathway to nursing. To be better prepared for the class, I went to see Dr. Teresa Barton, AAE [Alaska Adult Education] Coordinator, to get more help. It paid off; I graduated from the program.”
As a dedicated student, she worked hard. Given the language barriers, the course and the exam were difficult. It took her a few times, but she eventually earned her certification with her determination and support from others.
Yuliana shares, “So many people, friends told me ‘never give up’. They support me all the time. Everybody told me that you can do this. I really want to thank Renea Mitchell, Olivia Foster, Gigi O’Bren, Sherikay Griffith, the nurses and my classmates too. They have all supported me and I am indebted to them.”
Yuliana knew that despite the difficulties, she could do it. For Salado, one of the most challenging elements was the state exam because, as she shares, “The English reading part was hard for me and the vocabulary is difficult for me too. I was so nervous when I did my exam, but one person that really helped me is Dr. Teresa Barton.”
Dr. Barton knows how committed Salado was to achieving her goal, and she is very proud of what Yuliana has accomplished. “I have never encountered a student more resilient than Yuliana. We choose different goals and paths we make in life, and Yuliana chose to work really, really hard to accomplish her goal and did not quit until she accomplished it.”
Now that Yuliana has made it through the program, she has some sage words of advice for those, like her, who may find the program and exams challenging.“I just want to tell somebody that is in my situation, just keep trying, as many times as it takes and surround yourself with people that support and believe in you. Have people that keep saying that you can do it, so you just keep going, believing in yourself.”