Three months ago, Miranda Bailey didn’t know that a visit to Northeastern Technical College to register her daughter for college would end with her working in the nursing field and her own lifelong dream within reach.

Miranda Bailey of Cheraw, graduated from NETC’s nursing assistant program on October 6, and on October 13, just one week later, she began a new career in the home health field, working with Priority One Healthcare.

“The nursing assistant program at Tech was a real blessing for me,” said Miranda.  “I am a single parent, and also the primary caregiver for my father, who is fighting cancer, my grandmother, who is bedridden after breaking her hip and shoulder, and my grandfather, who suffers from dementia.”

Miranda said she didn’t expect to sign up for college herself the day she came to campus, but thought that while she was here, she would stop by the continuing education department to find out what programs were being offered, and how much it would cost to attend.

“I just wanted to see what I needed to get started and how much it would cost,” said Bailey.  “When they told me that I could go to school for free because I was receiving food stamps, I was so happy that I started crying right there, in the office.”

Miranda qualified for the SNAP2Work program, which offers 100% scholarship funding to eligible SC residents looking to train for a new career.

NETC’s continuing education programs that qualify for SNAP2Work include: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Community Health Worker (CHW), Electrician Program, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Heavy Equipment Operator, Phlebotomy, SCMC Production Technician, Wastewater Management, and Welding.

Originally from Marlboro County, Miranda explained how she has been in a caregiver role, helping family with grandparents since she was a pre-teen, and says she’s always been interested in a career in health care.  She doesn’t plan to stop with her CNA license.

“I want to continue my education and go through the practical nursing program at NETC, and eventually work towards my RN degree,” she said.  “But right now, my hands are a little full.”

Miranda encourages other parents and young adults in the area to get information about the programs being offered at NETC.

“You will be surprised by what is being offered at NETC. Stop by the college and talk to someone,” said Miranda.  “You never know unless you ask, and you can’t better yourself if you don’t try.”

The CNA pathway program is offered every semester during the day and evening at Northeastern Technical College. The day class option lasts approximately six weeks and the evening class option lasts approximately 15 weeks.

Upon completion of the course, graduates have the academic and practical skills necessary to successfully complete the Nursing Assistant Certification Exam. This exam is required by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control for employment as certified nursing assistants (CNA).

For more information about admission, the CNA pathway, or other continuing education programs, visit the office of continuing education, located in Hampton Hall on the Cheraw campus (Building 200) Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or call  (843) 921-6925 or 1-800-921-7399 and choose option four (4).