Creative Opportunity for Beginning a Career in Healthcare offered by Newman Regional Health  

Newman Regional Health provides opportunity for CNA Tuition Reimbursement for the first time.  

Newman Regional Health is proud to have the first participant in the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Tuition Reimbursement program. Jessica Sandoz began in June of 2024 and has now completed her CNA Certificate at Flint Hills Technical College. This summer Jessica began her one-year employment commitment as a Patient Care Tech. Participants of the program have their tuition forgiven with this one-year work commitment. 
Originally from Melvern, KS Jessica explained why this was a natural start to her career path,

A Patient Care Tech at Newman Regional Health can discover their career focus through responsibilities in the birthing center, family medicine, pediatrics, wound care, express/urgent care, medical/surgical departments, inpatient rehabilitation, hospice, and more.  

“Patient Care Tech’s are an integral part of our care team here at Newman Regional Health and we want to be able to support those who are ready to join the healthcare profession and our team! Having a resource as fantastic as the CNA program at FHTC right here in our own ‘back yard,’ makes this opportunity even more exciting!” Says Talent Acquisition Partner, Ashley Nehls.  

Looking forward, Sandoz expressed her future plans, “My future goal is to take 6 months off school, then start my prerequisites for LPN school. After my year contract is done, I plan on signing another contract with Newman Regional Health so they can help pay for my LPN class. There I will work full-time at the hospital while going to class through FHTC. After LPN school I would love to continue working for NRH. Everybody here is so incredibly helpful and so kind!”  

Sandoz shared that as soon as she reached out to NRH about the opportunity it was a fast-tracked process to getting her where she wanted to be and encourages others in the community to consider the program. Anyone interested in the program should reach out to Ashley Nehls for more information. Next steps include a nursing team interview with the goal of being offered an on-staff position as a PCT. Following acceptance, the individual would attend school and receive their certificate, a program which takes six weeks to finish. After completing the certificate, they begin their employment at Newman Regional Health. The certificate can come from any accredited CNA or PCT program of which there are many across the state. Ashley Nehls may be reached by email anehls@newmanrh.org or by phone 620-343-6800 x24105. More information can be found at newmanrh.org/cna