Carly Pascarella, a senior in the Health Occupations program, is completing her co-op at The Bradford Manor as a Certified Nursing Assistant. This piece follows her day-to-day work, what drew her to healthcare, and how hands-on experience is shaping her skills and confidence in patient care.
Carly chose the Health Occupations program because she wanted a chance to be present during meaningful moments in people’s lives and to build practical caregiving experience. The classroom set the foundation, but it was the co-op placement at The Bradford Manor that turned theory into practice. She works on the floor supporting residents with daily needs and learning to read situations quickly and compassionately.
As a CNA in training, Carly takes on routine yet essential tasks: helping with bathing, assisting with mobility, and supporting residents through meals and medication reminders. Those tasks sound simple, but they require patience, attention, and a steady hand. Each interaction becomes a lesson in dignity and respect, and Carly treats every resident as a person first, not a checklist item.
Her supervisors at The Bradford Manor have given hands-on coaching, showing how small adjustments can make a big difference in comfort and safety. Carly listens, asks questions, and practices until procedures feel natural. That mentorship helps her link classroom techniques with the realities of a long-term care environment, and it makes the learning curve feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
The co-op exposes Carly to the rhythms of healthcare work: early shifts, quick problem solving, and the emotional highs and lows that come with caring for others. She’s learning to communicate clearly with nurses, therapists, and families, and those conversations sharpen her judgment and teamwork skills. Real-time feedback from staff helps her refine clinical tasks like taking vital signs and documenting changes in a resident’s condition.
Beyond the clinical side, Carly values the chance to build relationships. Residents remember names, stories, and small preferences, and responding to those personal details creates trust. For Carly, hearing a resident laugh after a tough morning or seeing someone regain a little independence is its own reward and a reminder why she chose this path.
Balancing schoolwork with co-op hours is a skill in itself, and Carly has found routines that keep both on track. She schedules study blocks around shifts and leans on classmates when assignments pile up, which reinforces how teamwork matters in and out of the care setting. That discipline will carry into any healthcare role she pursues after graduation.
The practical experience also helps clarify career goals. Working as a CNA during the co-op has shown Carly where she thrives and what she still wants to learn, whether that’s advanced clinical skills or leadership in a care setting. Those insights make future decisions less abstract and more actionable: certification steps, specialized training, or further education all start to feel like reachable next moves.
Residents at The Bradford Manor benefit from having a motivated student like Carly on the team, and the facility benefits by shaping new caregivers who understand the importance of person-centered care. For the community, programs that place students in real care settings help strengthen local healthcare pipelines and improve continuity of care. Carly’s time in the program is a small but meaningful piece in that broader picture.
By the end of her co-op, Carly is not only more skilled but more confident in her role as a caregiver. Practical experience, supportive mentorship, and daily interaction with residents have turned classroom learning into dependable routine. She leaves each shift with something learned and something given, and that exchange drives her forward in the Health Occupations program and beyond.
