July 28, 2023
Aishling Kelly is more than just a name in Illinois’s healthcare industry. She’s an advocate, a mentor, and a passionate force who is driving change in a sector that’s craving transformation. At the heart of her initiative lies the Aishling Care Academy, an Illinois state-certified training program she founded to arm aspiring certified nursing assistants (CNAs) with the knowledge and skill set they need to make a difference.
The Aishling Care Academy, founded in 2020, isn’t Aishling’s first entry into the healthcare industry. She ran a home care business for over a decade, an experience that illuminated the pressing need for adequately trained and genuinely committed CNAs. “The whole journey of hiring, firing, training was too much,” she confesses. “I needed more time to train them. I wasn’t able to do enough.” This need to “do more” led her to establish the academy, which now stands as a testament to her dedication.
Understanding the intricate details of the healthcare sector is part of Aishling’s DNA. Having cared for her parents at home—along with nine siblings—she knows firsthand the profound impact a devoted caregiver can make. She taps into her own roots to inspire her students. “I’m trying to create caregivers who are like us, and who take care of seniors as if they were family,” she says.
The Academy attracts two primary types of students. First are those aspiring to pursue a career in healthcare who are keen to gain hands-on experience. Then there are those who have been in the field for years but lack formal training or certification. The Academy helps both groups, providing rigorous training and facilitating access to grants and scholarships for those who need them.
But Aishling’s vision extends beyond merely imparting knowledge and securing certification for her students. Her teaching methods strive to foster self-esteem, confidence, and resilience among her students. She employs innovative tools like vision boards and communication exercises to help her students envisage a roadmap for their lives. “My favorite part is to see the young ladies and men come in and see them become transformed through greater self-esteem and confidence.”
The academy goes above and beyond the state-required curriculum. It includes courses on dementia care and ethics, and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and negotiation skills. “We are teaching them how to communicate and advocate for themselves and how to negotiate their rate of pay and not just accept everything that comes their way,” Aishling asserts.
While her work has already begun to transform the face of CNA training in Illinois, Aishling is still looking ahead. She continues to advocate for greater appreciation and better pay for CNAs, acknowledging that they often feel overlooked. Her mantra? “If you tell me no, I’ll find a way.” And so far, she’s done just that, redefining the future of healthcare in Illinois, one CNA at a time.
As Aishling forges ahead, the healthcare field watches in anticipation, knowing that every student passing through the doors of the Aishling Care Academy signifies another step towards a more compassionate, well-prepared, and inclusive healthcare industry. And at the heart of it all is Aishling Kelly herself: a figure of determination, a champion of change, and a model of resilience.