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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-10 PACKET 05.B.03. Nursing institute moving into Cottage Grove's BEC By Emily Buss on Jan 30, 2015 - Bulletin Post-secondary education is a far-fetched wish for some, especially when language and inadequate funding pose as barriers. However, the Cottage Grove Business Ente1prise Center's newest tenant is looking to bridge that gap for new immigrants and low-income families and bring their desire for higher learning within arm's reach. American Nursing and Technical l Institute, the venture of Cottage Grove resident Khadija Zeig, is expected to open its doors this spring to nursing assistant and emergency medical technician certificate programs. Zeig, an immigrant from Kenya, started the Institute two years ago in Burnsville. "It began initially to help new immigrants and single moms acquire skills that would help them get jobs," Zeig said. ''TI1e goal was not to do a community college but still get them math and English and science basics." As an immigrant who came to the United States by herself in 2000 at age 18, Zeig said she wanted to provide an educational opportunity to those who might not othe1wise have one. With a scholarship to the University of Minnesota, she graduated with a bachelor's degree before returning to Kenya where she received a master's degree. Upon her return to the U.S., Zeig said she interacted with many immigrant women and low­ income families who were persistent but were having a tough time getting ahead. "I came across a lot of women that had no direction because of their current education circumstances," she said. 'Their community college advisors were not helping them and they were taking all these credits but they weren't going anywhere. Learning is great, but there has to be an end goal." She founded American Nursing and Technical Institute in 2012 with the goal of providing EMT and certified nursing assistant certificates to get the students into the workforce faster. "It's small, but it can get their foot in the door and will give them a feel for what they want," Zeig said. "Having a certificate in hand is more appealing to an employer." Enrolled students take courses that provide them with state-verified certificates as either a Nursing assistant or emergency medical technician. They learn hands-on from professors who are accredited in their field and have extensive healthcare backgrounds. Alongside the core courses, students also receive education in the English language and other life skills she said will help them "achieve success in America." "!have come to realize that if we want something to work, especially us as new immigrants, especially with the language issues, we have to build the infrastructure for ourselves," Zeig said. "The end goal is to build something that is low-income and new immigrant friendly where they can learn in an environment where their culture is common place. But slowly introducing the American culture so they look like someone l would hire if I was an American looking out." However, Zeig said she does not want the students to give up their native culture, but be open to embracing a new one. The courses are offered to students at about half the cost of regular community college courses. Whereas an EMT ce1tificate program might cost around $4,000, Zeig said the program at American Nursing and Technical Institute is $2,000. The tuition for the course, she added, covers books, uniforms and lab time that is used during class as well as after while students prepare for the state exam. "What this is, is investing in the post-secondary education options in the community," Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey said. "That's really a neat thing. And to me, it puts us on the map for the fact that we are a community investing in more education than we already have." Economic Development Director Danette Parr said the institute will occupy about 600 square feet in the lower level of the BEC in the area that was formerly the roll call room and an office. Parr said the school is a positive addition to the business incubator in that it will provide quality jobs and quality training. it The EMT certification program begins March 2 and will last four months, and is accredited through the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. The nursing assistant ce1tification program runs six weeks, and will begin in the spring following the Health Department’s approval, Zeig said. 111e institute is accredited through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Zeig has a long-term vision of growing the institute into an full registered nursing program that will expand to locations throughout the Twin Cities. She said a dental assisting program will likely be added to the menu of classes in the future. For more information about American Nursing and Technical Institute, visit www.americannursingandtechnicalinstitute.org/.