“Let’s do this!”
When Pierre native Natalie Flottmeyer got the call telling her she had been accepted into the Avera St. Mary’s Hospital CNA Training Camp, she jumped at the chance. At 17, Flottmeyer was determined not to miss her first steps toward a career in health care, beginning as a certified nursing assistant. After convincing her father it was the right move, the rest of the process was simple.
“There was an interview I had to go through. They called me back and they said ‘You’re in. We’re gonna do this.’ And I said, ‘Let’s do this. Yeah!’.”
CNA Certification Process
The CNA training camp prepares candidates with the tools they need to successfully complete the CNA certification process, including:
- 55 hours of coursework
- 16 hours of clinical training
- One-on-one training with a nurse instructor
- Eight hours of lab training
- Test preparation assistance
Support Through Peer Learning
As the first in her family to pursue nursing, Flottmeyer had no idea what to expect when she joined the eight other aspiring nursing assistants entering the camp in 2025. She wouldn’t know it at the time, but Flottmeyer would go on to do more than just complete the program. She would make the jump from camper to CNA preceptor the following year and begin helping guide the next cohort of campers.
Flottmeyer was eager to share the same positive support she received during her own training experience. Having recently completed the program, she had a keen awareness for what they were going through. “This is my first time ever working in health care, so it was definitely a big surprise when I saw how fast paced everything was,” said Flottmeyer. “There’s not one day working here that’s the same.” The opportunity to ask questions without judgment was critical to Flottmeyer’s success in the program and she now appreciates having her turn to provide the answers.
It’s this cooperative environment that makes the Avera CNA camp unique. “It makes a big difference when people are able to come here and they’re all kind of in the same shoes,” says Onboarding Supervisor Kayla Rounds. “That builds a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. You can work together, study together, celebrate together. That may not seem like as much of a financial or worldly gain, but I think it’s really helpful.”
Investing in Talent
The Avera CNA camp is tailored to support candidates from all backgrounds. It serves as a valuable stepping stone for those entering the health care field by providing both growth opportunity and significant financial backing. Depending on location, CNA training programs can cost anywhere between $300 and $7,300. That cost may be even higher when factoring in state exam fees and background screenings. The Avera CNA camp removes financial barriers by providing a no-cost opportunity for candidates regardless of their career pathway.
“We have some candidates this year who aren’t going into nursing specifically, but maybe wanted to be an ultrasound tech, radiologist or maybe a medical doctor someday,” said Rounds. “Just having that stepping stone and getting those learning opportunities is going to set you up to succeed.”
Flottmeyer and others like her are helping fill a critical need for health care professionals in rural areas. In Pierre, the CNA Training Camp was developed to address this need and while it represents a significant investment by Avera, it’s one that camp facilitators like Rounds feel is worth it for the sake of recruiting great talent.
Flottmeyer is now part of a team at Avera Maryhouse, a long-term care setting in Pierre. In addition to her mentoring, Flottmeyer applies what she’s learned as she forms bonds with those she serves. CNAs like Flottmeyer have the unique opportunity to learn about people’s lives and interests, and provide them with dignity, hope and purpose.
Avera provides complete training and hands-on mentorship to all CNA employees acquiring certification in all regions. A 75-hour training program is designed to prepare you for the nursing assistant certification exam. Avera will also cover the cost of certification in most cases depending on the state where you work in our region.
Flottmeyer encourages other people, who like herself, don’t have a medical background to join the camp. “Don’t be scared to start. Everyone has to start somewhere. Make yourself vulnerable, be open to learning new things and never be afraid to ask questions.”
