February 26, 2023- Andrea Taylor, owner of Rotalbly’s Nursing Institute, hosted an open house for potential candidates for the Institute’s expedited CNA training courses.
Taylor, a mom of seven and a RN/BSN, has worked in healthcare for about 20 years, and during her time as a nurse she has seen the effect of shortages in healthcare. Her personal experiences of witnessing those shortages in nursing homes led to her vision of starting a nursing school.
“Being in the nursing homes, seeing the need for caregivers and CNA’s, I just saw a need in the community,” Taylor said.
As Taylor detailed the course and spoke of her journey in healthcare, about ten young women listened to her testimony, and began filling out their applications to enroll in the program. Each with their own healthcare story and reason for enrollment.
“The fact that it is here in Decatur and Black-owned, made me want to not only support the business but I also feel it would be a perfect fit because it is here in town with people in town,” Yasmine Flowers, community member said. “We are a community, it is something good for the community, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
While Decatur has an abundance of CNA programs in the community, Rotalbly’s is currently the only Black-owned CNA program. Dr. Juanita Morris understands the importance of a minority-owned and woman-owned business and the obstacles that come with that identity, so she made it clear that it is a necessity that those interested in enrolling in the course be committed.
“There are none [CNA programs] that are owned and operated by a Black woman,” Dr. Juanita Morris said.
Dr. Juanita Morris is a partner in J Morris Enterprises and one of the services they provide is business development. Dr. Morris has worked alongside Andrea in the development of Rotalbly’s since Andrea joined and completed Dr. Morris’ Ice House Entrepreneurship Course.
“The expectation for success is high for each of you who are interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant, because when you succeed, then we see her and our community sees Andrea differently,” Dr. Morris said. “Please don’t sleep on the fact that she is a CNA and an RN, so there is no other person that is qualified to do this work. So, if you are considering it, only consider it if you are committed from beginning to end, because there is no program that looks like this. There is no other program that will enroll and move you through that is reflective of who is in this room, now. So if this is what you want to do, become a CNA, this is your place to do it.”
In addition to the challenges working in healthcare, there are also healthcare disparities in the Black community. Bishop James Wills is hopeful that programs such as Rotalbly’s will not only combat the disparities but also encourage the youth in the community to pursue a career in the field.
“There is a disparity when it comes to health providers as well as receiving healthcare in the Black community,” Bishop Wills said. “Anytime we can see those who look like us, it makes us feel even more comfortable. Because we have so many of our people in our community who won’t even go for whatever reason they choose… Because they are reluctant and maybe they don’t feel like they are being taken care of the way they should… To have another Black-owned business in our community, it helps our youth look and say hey I can do something too. So, it is definitely something that is going to benefit our community and to encourage our community to work to becoming business owners.”
Andrea is building the course schedule for Rotalbly’s Nursing institute. The first two courses will begin in March. One evening course will run for two days a week and a second day course will be three days a week. The introductory course will cost $1,795. This will include the fee for the background check, application fee, a reading skills competency test, uniform, books, and medical instruments. Following completion of the course, students will take the State of Illinois exam. Once students have passed the course and exam, they will be prepared to enter the workforce in the field of healthcare.
Bishop Wills, Taylor’s uncle, is also a lead career planner with the Workforce Investment Solutions, so he fully intends on working with the Nursing Institute to assist with tuition fees and books for the participants, if eligible.
“As I listen to the presentation and they started talking about funding, my ears perked up,” Bishop Wills said. “I wanted them to be aware of the possibility of Workforce Investment being able to assist with tuition fees, books, and services. I wanted them to be aware of that. It is a great opportunity, and they don’t have to pay it back. Their success is our success. We are definitely in it together for all of us to be winners.”
While Taylor certainly has support of her family and the community, she also has support of the City of Decatur.
“I am one that believes that workforce is critical to our success in the city of Decatur,” Patrick, Community Development Director said. “Obviously, we are seeing certain things leave the city of Decatur due to the lack of workforce. This is an example of being intentional about how we make sure people have access to the workforce opportunities here in Decatur. I am excited about this, particularly given the fact this is a Black-owned business that we have built capacity around. One of our major objectives is how do we create mixed income communities, how do we open up doors to economic development opportunities to those who are disenfranchised in the city of Decatur, so we are excited to be a partner.”
The Institute is located in Suite 703, on 2560 E. Federal Dr, in Decatur. Registration has begun. Those interested in applying, must be 18 years of age and read at a sixth grade reading level. In addition to the qualifications, Taylor stressed the importance of having a willingness to learn and to have a heart for caregiving because CNA’s are the backbone of any medical field.
“You have to have a heart for caring and giving to other people, to be in this type of field,” Taylor said. “There are so many challenges in this job alone, so you have to want to be there. CNA’s are your eyes and ears, and the ones who are gonna tell you what is going on. They are gonna be the ones to give that give that day-to-day care, that love that they need, and that companionship. They learn their schedules, to know when they get up and when they go to bed, and it takes a lot for anybody to give that type of commitment.”
For more information or to enroll in the program, contact Rotalbly’s Nursing Institute at Rotalblysllc7@gmail.com.
