With healthcare systems facing staffing shortages and many students eager to explore medical careers, access to clinical experience is more important than ever. To help meet this need, the University of Vermont has introduced a new course that prepares students to become Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs), tailored specifically for undergraduate students in non-nursing majors. This innovative program offers a unique opportunity to explore healthcare careers while building practical skills and earning LNA certification.
To understand the value of this training, it helps to know what LNAs do. LNAs play a vital role in direct patient care across various settings, working under the supervision of registered or licensed practical nurses. Their responsibilities include assisting with daily living activities, collecting vital signs, documenting patient progress, and communicating patient needs and medical instructions.
The course prepares students for the LNA certification exam and includes an introduction to health professions and an overview of current and emerging health policy. The curriculum culminates in hands-on training and testing for certification. In addition to clinical competencies, students are introduced to a wide range of health-related career paths, helping them make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.
“This program is about accessibility and exploration,” said Teresa Cahill-Griffin, D.N.P., RN, director of the LNA program at UVM. “We want to give students who may not have considered a career in healthcare the chance to experience it firsthand. Whether they go on to become nurses, physicians, public health professionals, or pursue other paths, this course provides a strong foundation.”
By opening this pathway to students from a variety of academic backgrounds, UVM is expanding access to the health sciences and helping meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals. The program reflects UVM’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and innovation, offering students new ways to engage with real-world challenges and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
With the average LNA wage in Vermont at $20.97 per hour, the course also offers a tangible economic benefit. Meanwhile, demand for LNAs is growing. According to the Vermont Department of Health, the number of full-time equivalent LNAs dropped from 2,594 in 2018 to 2,204 in 2022, and over 10% of current LNAs are aged 60 or older—raising concerns about future workforce shortages due to retirements. Most LNAs work in nursing homes (36.4%) or hospitals (25.0%), with 43.2% employed full-time at a single site. These trends underscore the importance of recruitment and training programs—like UVM’s new LNA course—to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
UVM also offers additional pathways into nursing for students in other majors, including its newly reorganized Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program. This program provides a direct route to RN licensure within one year of earning a bachelor’s degree, followed by fully online master’s-level coursework.
For more information, contact Teresa Cahill-Griffin, D.N.P., RN, at Teresa.Cahill-Griffin@med.uvm.edu.
