Coffee County Central High School CNA Training

Rather than standalone evening sessions, CNA instruction is woven into the student’s daily high school timetable. Hands-on practice, skills labs, and theoretical lessons happen during Health Science and Nursing Education segments. For many, this means you learn while staying on track with your regular school commitments.

It moves students from basic classroom study of anatomy, infection control, and patient safety into practical simulations—and possibly real-world settings—without straying from school grounds. The structure supports progression toward real health-work seat time, possibly even clinicals, in a familiar location.

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The CNA section is handled by Amanda Bernhardt, the CTE Health Science educator. As part of the Career & Technical Education team led by Richard Skipper, the program maintains strong high school oversight. With around 931-222-1228 as the main line and 931-723-5159 to reach Amanda directly, communication is straightforward and school-based.

This setup keeps admin, instructors, and students closely connected, facilitating easy questions, adjustments, and monitoring. It feels more personal than adult-ed models—more like a class where you know both your teacher and the system well.

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The CNA class fits into a broader cluster of health-related programs offered via Coffee County CTE. Paired with other Health Science courses—like anatomy, medical therapeutics, therapeutic services—the CNA option lets students explore roles like nurse aide, medical assistant, or even consider further training as LPNs or RNs in the future.

By placing CNA at this intersection, the school encourages students to map out a health-care career path early. This isn’t just a single class—it’s one staged step in a larger health and therapeutic skill pipeline.

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Courses are offered during in-school hours, so the only real prerequisites are:

• Enrollment at Coffee County Central High School
• Placement in Health Science or Nursing Education course track
• Permission from CTE department or counselor (through registration)

There’s no separate application fee or paperwork beyond standard HS registration—no flu shots, screening, or extra document work for getting the class.

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The CNA section is built to prepare students for Tennessee’s state Nursing Assistant Registry. The class covers:

• Basic anatomy, physiology, infection control
• Patient safety and residents’ rights
• Activities of daily living: bathing, feeding, transfers
• Communication, vital signs, and emergency response

Students practice in school labs, which could simulate care settings, and may have opportunities for observational or supervised clinical exposure, depending on local partnerships.

The goal is for students to meet the state’s hour requirements and feel confident taking the CNA competency exam.

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• No extra cost: it’s part of the public high school’s CTE program
• Daytime learning: fits right into the high school day
• Academic credit: counted toward graduation credit load
• Health career exploration: ties into nursing/therapeutic programs
• Local oversight: school-based, closer mentor relationships, smooth communication

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• Limited to current high school students—no adult or evening options
• No dedicated post-grad job placement support—students rely on self-driven transition
• Hands-on hospital clinicals may or may not be available, depending on school partners
• Program depends heavily on school staff and district funding—changes in staffing or budgets could affect availability

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Nursing Education / CNA classes are scheduled within the school’s Health Science pathway, often as junior or senior elective. Daily periods are pre-assigned each semester, aligning with anatomy and medical therapeutics courses. Timing is rigid—what’s convenient for adults balancing other demands doesn’t apply here.

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Amanda Bernhardt works within a CTE model focused on real-world applications, aligning with national health certification standards. Unlike college-level CNA programs, the environment is more familiar and supportive—designed to help students transition from school to certification without adult-level stakes.

Labs simulate clinical environments and use classroom resources to teach patient transfers, hygiene, safety checks, and basic medical knowledge. The instructor-to-student ratio is relatively low—CTE classes are typically capped at 25-30—to allow hands-on feedback.

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After CNA certification, students can pursue employment in long-term care, assisted living, or home health. For those interested in further medical education, the Health Science pathway provides a stepping stone to:

• LPN/RN training
• Emergency medical services
• Therapeutic or allied health roles

Exposure to CNA work helps students decide whether bedside care suits them before committing to more training.

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While primarily school-based, Coffee County CTE encourages local clinical partnerships. Students may:

• Observe or assist in care settings under supervision
• Participate in shadowing with partner facilities
• Use simulation equipment in school labs

However, these experiences vary each year based on externship opportunities and district-college/hospital relationships.

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