Meet Aidan Goodwin, a recent graduate of Caregiver Training Institute’s Medication Aide Training Program. Aidan was already working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and wanted to broaden his clinical experience by taking the next step in his healthcare career. He now works as a Certified Medication Aide and a CNA.
Aidan was led to the healthcare industry due to personal experiences in his life. “I’ve had a lot of surgeries throughout my life. I had one in particular that was very life-threatening, and it kind of started an obsession with health.”
Aidan also comes from a family of healthcare professionals, including his dad, who has been a nurse for three decades. Upon taking an anatomy class, Aidan discovered an innate knack for the field.
“I was naturally extremely good at it and I realized this is just in my DNA. I’m acing these tests and I’ve never been a straight-A student until I started taking anatomy,” he said. “It just came naturally to me.”
Aidan found CTI’s program to be very thorough and he felt it set him up for success to take the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) certification exam. He especially enjoyed the clinicals and felt they provided students the chance to recall and apply the information they learned in a practical, hands-on setting.
“The program is extremely real-world experience based. It’s the perfect way to get your feet on the ground before starting your job.”
Aidan said the program exceeded his expectations and was more fun than he expected. He especially enjoyed learning about the ways different drugs interact. “I thought it would be dull to learn the name of pills but there’s more to it.”
For those contemplating the commitment to time in a classroom during the CMA training program, Aidan’s advice is to remember the advantages it offers.
“Be perseverant; it’s really hard to sit in a classroom for a lot of folks. Just keep in mind the benefits and pros of getting the license. It makes you stand out for a lot of reasons in the workplace and you become more of an asset.”
Since finishing the program, Aidan said he gets more respect in the workplace. “People come to me with a lot of questions,” he said. “I have a solid leadership role where I’m helping people of all titles — doctors, nurse practitioners. I know how to help them and it feels good to be a part of that.”
Are You Ready to Become a Certified Medication Aide? Enroll at Caregiver Training Institute Today!
Caregiver Training Institute, a Division of Bryan University, offers a Medication Aide Training Program with alternating schedules and portions of instruction offered over Zoom to fit any schedule.
CTI offers alternating evening and weekend schedules to fit your schedule. Students have the option of attending portions of the classroom instruction at our Portland campus or virtually over Zoom.
After the program, students will be issued a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to apply for certification as a Medication Aide by competency examination with the OSBN. CTI is also a Board of Nursing testing site. Are you ready to start your career in healthcare as a CMA? Call us at 503-257-0117 or complete a free online information session to begin your journey today.