I’ve worked in Healthcare for over 20 years thus my eyes have been privy to many changes that have affected the level of patient care provided today. My journey begins with initial dreams and aspirations geared at the American Dream of Medical School but God didn’t say the same. After completing my Bachelor of Science Degree at Marygrove College, I applied to medical school as planned. Although not accepted on my first attempt, I was placed in the Post-Bac program/Basic Medical Science Program at Wayne State University School of Medicine with plans to complete the program then reapply with a guaranteed admission, so I thought. Given the fact that our plans may differ from our pre-chosen destiny, things of course didn’t play out as hoped.
Through a series of life events my path transitioned from the School of Medicine to the School of Nursing into the CD2 program at Wayne State University. I felt as if I was starting my career over because I had to obtain a second Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN). As I pressed forward, in the nursing program I obtained a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at DMC’s Harper Hospital. I learned essential basic skills of how to interact with my patients, proper bedside manner, obtaining blood, accurate vitals, blood draws, initiate IVs, EKGs, bathing, oral care, wound care, lift/transfer ergonomics, feeding patients whom couldn’t feed themselves, proper foley care in effort to decrease UTI’s, and etc. Overall, I’d obtained a sense of humbleness, humility, and pride for what I’d been called to do as a CNA.
After advancing from a CNA to registered nurse (RN), I continued my education to become an Adult Nurse Practitioner obtaining a Master’s Degree of Science, MSN from WSU then later becoming a clinical Doctor of Nursing (DNP) obtaining a Doctorate of Nursing Degree from Oakland University.
My overall goal for establishing Ta’Ouma Certified Nursing Assistant Training is to take us back in time when there was a since of love, pride, respect, and compassion in patient care. The times when there was a strong level of teamwork amongst the CNA’s and Nurses leading to smiles and gratitude from patient and their families. Nursing Assistants are the foundation of our Nursing discipline. I aspire to educate CNA’s by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to assist nurses to full capacity overall with hopes of improving patient care.
In conclusion, I challenge each of you after completion of the CNA training program to continue your education, never give up on your dreams despite alternate paths you may have to take, use your voice to function as Change Agents in nursing, and demand better care for our underserved populations.
Welcome to Ta’Ouma Training Programs
We Can Do All Things Through Christ Whom Strengthen Us.
Dr. Talisha L Watts-Ford, BSN prepared RN, c-ANP, DNP
Doctor of Nursing Practice
