Ilene Uerling

I-BEST Nursing Assistant Certificate

Ilene Uerling grew up in the Yakima Valley. Her senior year of high school was interrupted by pregnancy, as she decided to drop out of school and begin working. She spent the next several years working as an in-home care provider with Aging and Long-term Care. After the birth of her second child, Uerling knew she wanted to provide a better life for her children. After several unsuccessful attempts to continue her education, and knowing that she wanted to earn her General Education Development (GED), she reached out to Yakima Valley College. At YVC she was met with friendly and supportive faculty and staff who helped start her on her path to success. She learned she could enroll in the Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) Nursing Assistant Certificate program while taking the courses she needed to complete her GED. I-BEST pairs a professional or technical program with Adult Basic Education courses, including reading, writing, and math skills.

“I was very intimidated about returning to school,” stated Uerling. “Everyone has helped me so much. They’ve been there to answer any of my questions and have helped me every step of the way. There is no way I would have had the opportunity to accomplish my goals without YVC. YVC’s program provided me with the one-on-one attention I needed to be successful,” she continued.

Uerling completed the I-BEST NAC program this winter. Following this program, she was able to apply and test for the Washington State Department of Health’s certification. Having passed both, she is now hoping to work in the Emergency Room at Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital. Wanting to continue her studies, she will begin taking her pre-requisite courses for YVC’s radiologic sciences program in the fall.