For Akiim Allen, earning his Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification at Craven Community College was just the beginning of a remarkable journey in healthcare. Akiim graduated in 2020, a time when the world—and the world of healthcare—was rapidly changing.
“If I were to summarize how Craven prepared me for my first steps after graduation, I would say it taught me resilience in practice,” he said. “I was a pre-COVID CNA student, which means I began with a textbook understanding of healthcare, only to have my entire world—and the world of healthcare—turned upside down mid-course.”
That resilience became the foundation of a career defined by adaptability, compassion, and growth. After earning his CNA, Akiim entered the workforce during the height of the pandemic and soon discovered that his certification could take him farther than he imagined.
“Being a CNA allowed me the incredible opportunity to travel the country, working in various states,” he shared. “My most memorable assignment was in Hawaii, where I provided patient care with the Pacific Ocean as my backdrop. This experience taught me to adapt to new environments, protocols, and diverse patient populations, all while reinforcing the core patient-care skills I learned at Craven.”
Akiim’s hands-on experience at the bedside also revealed a new passion: surgical technology. Determined to continue his education, he enrolled at Auburn University, where he recently graduated with a degree in Surgical Technology. Today, Akiim works in the operating room at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in San Francisco, assisting in surgeries and providing care for America’s veterans.
“The transition from CNA to Surgical Technologist was seamless because my foundational knowledge at Craven opened many doors in healthcare,” he said. “I already understood patient dignity, sterile technique, and the flow of a clinical environment, which gave me a significant advantage in my career.”
Craven’s Nurse Aide Level 1 training program is designed to prepare students like Akiim for entry-level positions providing direct patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses. The program combines classroom learning, lab practice, and clinical experience, helping students develop the skills needed to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.
For current and future Craven students, Akiim offers a heartfelt message of encouragement: “If you are even remotely considering a career in any field, Craven Community College was the greatest decision in my professional career—financially, morally, and ethically. No regrets. If I could, I would do it all from the beginning again. Do it! You will thank yourself later. Most of all, trust yourself—you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
