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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Course

Mount Desert Island Certified Nurses Academy is now accepting applications for the upcoming Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Course offered at Mount Desert Island Hospital. Interested applicants should email barbarajean.bragdon@mdihospital.org to schedule an interview and complete the course application. Program eligibility includes an MDIH-conducted background check and successful completion of the CASAS reading comprehension exam, which is being offered free of charge through MDI Adult Education on multiple dates throughout December. The CNA course consists of 152 hours of instruction, including 72 hours of lecture, 32 hours of skills training, and 48 hours of clinical experience. Classes begin on January 9 and will be held every Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through April, with clinicals and weather-related make-up days scheduled on Fridays or Saturdays. The program is offered at no cost to MDIH employees, while the tuition for non-employees is $1,500, payable in full by January 7. Enrollment is limited to the first eight applicants who successfully complete all requirements.

“It’s such a beautiful race,” she said. “The scenery is breathtaking, and the crowd energy is amazing. My mom has come up both years to cheer me on, which also makes it really special.” Whether she’s racing along the island’s winding roads or venturing into Acadia’s trails, Caitlin has found that being outdoors recharges her and deepens her appreciation for the intersection between health, resilience, and nature, a passion that has inspired her next step.

After residency completion this year, Caitlin is pursuing a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine, a field that perfectly blends her love for the outdoors with her dedication to emergency care. “Working at MDI Hospital has been an example of the merger between helping people in challenging environments and working closely in nature that I hope to experience during fellowship,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at MDI Hospital, Caitlin expressed deep gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped her journey. “I plan to use the skills I have learned across my rotations at MDI Hospital going forward into my medical career so that I can provide great patient-centered care,” she said. “I will also remember the wonderful people I have met and cared for here who have helped shape my medical training to date.”

Whether running along the rugged coastline or responding to patients in the ED, Caitlin has found that MDI offers the perfect mix of challenge, inspiration, and community. It’s no surprise that for her, coming back to Mount Desert Island felt less like returning to a rotation, and more like coming home.

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MDI Hospital

MDI Hospital
10 Wayman Lane
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207.288.5081

At Mount Desert Island Hospital, we provide comprehensive care for you and your family through our hospital in Bar Harbor and a network of health centers across Mount Desert Island.