You could say that nursing runs deep in Demetryce Johnson’s family. Her mother and older sister are both registered nurses.
After working as a custodian in a Los Angeles County rehabilitation center for 19 years, she decided it was time to follow in their steps.
“I was around nursing a lot,” says Demetryce, “It gave me the foresight of wanting to help a person beyond cleaning their rooms… I wanted to be able to personally, one-on-one, help the patients.”
In addition to her employment at the rehab center, Demetryce had occasional work as an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider, she took people with physical limitations to doctor’s appointments, cooked food for them and cleaned their homes.
Her life took an unexpected turn in 2023 when her son passed away. Feeling responsible for the wellbeing of her widowed daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Demetryce’s interest in growing professionally and financially came to the forefront.
She decided to look for additional opportinities online.
She saw an ad about JVS SoCal’s HealthWorks program, an eight-week cost-free course that prepares students to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA).
“I didn’t think it was real because it said ‘free.’” Despite her hesitation, Demetryce applied for the program.
“There is a time and point to go for the career that you want,” says Demetryce about paving a new career path this late in life. When she learned that she got accepted, she knew this was her time.
Despite not being computer savvy, her experience as HealthWorks program participant was better than she expected. “It was it was different for me because [of the class] being on Zoom.” She credits the instructor for making it a possitive experience despite her challenges. “She’s such a great person and she can get you right into the subject of the matter.”
In addition to the hands-on skills, Demetryce received help in updating her resume and took part in mock interview sessions with peers. As part of the program, she was able interview with JVS SoCal’s employer partners on graduation day.
As her new career unfolds, Demetryce sees becoming a CNA as her first step. Soon, she plans to further her education and become a licensed vocational nurse and eventually becoming a registered nurse.
If you’re inspired by Demetryce’s story and would like to help someone else achieve their dream, please donate today.