LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky needs almost 1,000 nursing assistants, according to the 2024 Kentucky Hospital Association Workforce Survey Report. A Louisville woman is dedicated to training the next generation of nurse aides.
Myra Wiley has been a nurse in Louisville for 18 years. The inspiration for her nursing aide school, Hands2Hearts Academy, came from her experience as the daughter of a quadriplegic.
“My father did home improvement and he fell off a roof one day and bruised his spine. And so, for the last 21 years of my life, he has been dependent on the care of others. And in these last few years, just with the shortage of nurse aides, care has been kind of trying. And so I just wanted to make a difference by providing quality training and education for people to take care of people like my father,” said Wiley.
In four weeks, students are taught the basics about being a nurse’s aide. They learn everything they need to safely and confidently take care of residents in long-term care settings.
“How to transfer a resident safely from their bed to the wheelchair or back. How to feed them. How to recognize medical emergencies, bathing, just all of your basic needs things that us as people who have function in all of our limbs don’t think about,” said Wiley.
Kelcee Sweeney is currently enrolled in the nursing aide program. Sweeney said her mother is a nurse and she wanted to follow in her footsteps. Hands2Hearts Academy is giving her a jumpstart.
“The nurse’s aide is the person that speaks to the resident the most. So, I just want to be that person, that liaison to make people’s stay better,” said Sweeney.
Once Sweeney graduates from the program, she will have all the prerequisites for a certified nursing program.
“I plan to get my LPN and as well, just go into RN as well. So, I do have goals. This is just a first step for me. So I’m just excited to see what the future holds,” said Sweeney.
Wiley hopes Hands2Hearts Academy will make nursing aides more respected and appreciated.
“I rely so much on my nurse aides. I mean, they are the eyes and ears of health care sometimes. And I just want to instill in a new generation of nurses how important it is and how much us nurses need them. And were a team,” said Wiley.
Hands2Hearts Academy has had 22 people enrolled and is enrolling year-round with day and night class options.
Hands2Hearts Academy Program provides student transportation to clinicals and onsite child care along with after graduation job placement.
