Western Nevada College’s Nursing and Allied Health program recognized 27 students for completing Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) fall semester training during a ceremony on Monday night in Carson Nugget Hall.

Students who were honored included Alyss Ayers, Autumn Baltazar, Wesley Bass, Aley Berger, Jessica Bohan, Mary Coker, Ashlynn Farmer, Lucas Grasso, Sean Haynes, Valeria Herrera, Bailey Holst, Ashlyn Jimenez, Corey Jones, Kaia Kottmeier, Sarah Kottmeier, Adriana Landa, Ashley Mattson, Katalina McAtee, Cayla Morton, Blaize North, Jocelyne Palomera, Kenia Rojas, Caily Romo, Isaiah Salazar, Yadira Rivera Saucedo, Kaelyn Spriggs and Emilee Watson.

“These students have completed one of the most rigorous and essential healthcare training programs in our region,” said WNC Nursing Instructor Amber Price. “Congratulations to the WNC Carson, Fallon and Douglas CNA Class of 2025. We are incredibly proud of you and excited for the difference you will make in the lives of others.”

Bass, Bohan, Holst and Rojas were also honored for Clinical Excellence

The students’ dedication and commitment to completing the 16-week program included attending four hours of lecture and four hours of hands-on lab each week, as well as fulfilling 40 hours of clinical experience in local healthcare facilities.

“Congratulations to our 27 CNA graduates!” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “Nevada needs highly skilled CNAs now more than ever, and your commitment to step forward and serve is truly inspiring. You’re answering a critical call in our healthcare system, and you represent the very best of WNC. We’re incredibly proud to see you take this important step into a career that changes lives every single day.”

Their mastery of the subject was also important, requiring them to maintain a course average of 80 percent and earn at least 80 percent on their final exam.

“Nevada is in critical need of compassionate, skilled caregivers, and this class has demonstrated exactly what it means to answer that call,” Price said. “Their dedication, resilience and heart reflect the true spirit of the CNA profession.”

The Fall 2025 cohort will begin testing for their state certification in January, “and we look forward to seeing them start meaningful, rewarding careers in healthcare,” Price said.

“We are incredibly grateful to the team who made this CNA cohort such a success," said WNC Nursing and Allied Health Dr. Audrey Auer. "I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Amber Price for her leadership in launching this program and ensuring our students received exceptional instruction from day one. I also want to recognize Kathy Cocking for her dedicated work as our CNA coordinator with the Nevada State Board of Nursing — her guidance and support have been vital to this program’s growth. Their commitment has helped create meaningful pathways into the healthcare workforce, and we deeply appreciate all they do for our students and our community.”

To learn more about WNC’s CNA program, phone 775-445-4423 or email nursing.alliedhealth@wnc.edu. If you are interested in taking this course during WNC’s spring semester, view the available sessions at wnc.edu/discipline/nursing.