PSS Launches 2026 Nurse Assistant Summer Program to Prepare Future Healthcare Professionals in the CNMI

The CNMI Public School System (PSS) has launched its 2026 Nurse Assistant Summer Program, providing 12 high school students with the opportunity to begin their journey toward careers in healthcare while earning valuable industry-recognized credentials.

The seven-week program runs from June 27 through August 14, with a graduation ceremony scheduled for August 15. Students attend classes Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., completing rigorous academic instruction and hands-on skills training designed to prepare them for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) examination administered through the CNMI Board of Nursing.

This year's cohort includes eight students from Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior Senior High School on Rota and four students from Saipan Southern High School, demonstrating PSS's continued commitment to expanding career opportunities for students across the Commonwealth.

Students participate in live synchronous instruction taught by an experienced instructor from the Guam Marianas Training Center, allowing them to receive high-quality CNA coursework while remaining in their home islands. Beginning July 13, students will transition into intensive clinical skills instruction, where they will develop the practical competencies required of entry-level nursing assistants.

The Nurse Assistant Summer Program equips students with foundational knowledge in patient care, safety procedures, infection control, professionalism, communication, and healthcare ethics. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the CNA examination through the CNMI Board of Nursing, opening the door to employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.

Since its inception in 2020, the PSS Nurse Assistant Summer Program has continued to flourish, serving as one of the Public School System's signature Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiatives. The program reflects PSS's commitment to preparing students for high-demand, high-skill careers while helping strengthen the Commonwealth's local healthcare workforce.

By investing in students today, PSS is helping develop the next generation of compassionate healthcare professionals who will serve the people of the CNMI for years to come.