Mollie Openshaw, co-director and lead CNA instructor at West Harbor Training Center, stands inside the new training facility at 891 Hazel St. in downtown Gridley. The center plans to begin offering sponsored certified nurse assistant training in January 2027. Photo by Lloyd Green Jr.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - A new training center in downtown Gridley will soon offer residents an opportunity to enter the healthcare field without paying tuition, while helping two area skilled nursing facilities develop their workforce.

West Harbor Healthcare plans to open the West Harbor Training Center at 891 Hazel St., with its first certified nurse assistant (CNA) class scheduled to begin Jan. 4, 2027. The program will provide classroom instruction, hands-on training and clinical experience for students interested in pursuing healthcare careers.

The center plans to accept approximately 15 students per class and offer four classes annually, with the possibility of a fifth as the program develops. At full capacity, the center could train 60 to 75 students each year.

Mollie Openshaw, a licensed vocational nurse and the center's co-director and lead CNA instructor, said the program aims to help individuals who might otherwise struggle to afford healthcare training.

"There are people right here in Gridley and the surrounding communities who may have always wanted to work in healthcare but haven't known where to start or how to afford the training," Openshaw said. "We want to help open that door."

The program will provide tuition sponsorship to selected applicants who agree to work at a West Harbor Healthcare facility for 12 months. Students will sign an employment commitment agreement before enrollment.

Openshaw said applicants will receive information about the agreement and any additional expenses, including uniforms, screenings, supplies or certification fees, before committing to the program.

The training center will serve as a workforce development program for Gridley Post Acute in Gridley and Bridgeview Health Care in Yuba City, both operated under West Harbor Healthcare.

Students will complete their clinical training at those facilities, gaining experience assisting residents with daily activities, including meals, dressing, grooming, mobility and personal care.

Openshaw said skilled nursing facilities care for a broader range of patients than many people realize. In addition to elderly residents requiring long-term care, facilities serve younger patients recovering from surgery, accidents and other medical conditions.

"We are actually taking care of a broad group of people," Openshaw said. "There are some people that are there that call it their home, but also some short stays too."

The center expects to offer an eight-week training program, pending final approval of its instructional schedule under California Department of Public Health requirements.

Coursework will cover human anatomy, patient rights, personal care, healthcare procedures and the responsibilities of nursing assistants. Students will also learn about different levels of patient care and the roles of other healthcare professionals.

Openshaw said the classroom instruction will help prepare students for their clinical assignments, where they will put those skills into practice while working with residents and nursing staff.

The center will accept applicants from Gridley and surrounding communities, including Oroville, Chico, Paradise, Marysville, Yuba City and Colusa County.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet applicable state requirements. Previous healthcare experience is not required.

Prospective students will complete an application and interview with Openshaw and representatives from the facilities' human resources departments. The selection process will consider applicants' commitment to completing the program and their interest in working for West Harbor Healthcare.

Openshaw said interviews could begin in November, with the center expecting to select its first class by mid-December.

While graduates may pursue employment at Gridley Post Acute or Bridgeview Health Care, opportunities will depend on staffing needs and successful completion of training and certification requirements.

Matt Maylin, administrator of Gridley Post Acute, has supported the development of the training center and its goal of removing financial barriers for people interested in healthcare careers.

Maylin sad the program will give qualified residents an opportunity to receive sponsored training while helping West Harbor Healthcare develop caregivers for its facilities. He also views the center as a way for the organization to contribute to the Gridley community.

For Openshaw, the program represents an opportunity to introduce others to a profession she entered as a teenager.

She began working as a CNA in Chico at age 15, carrying a work permit and gaining experience that would lead to a nursing career spanning more than 45 years.

Openshaw graduated from nursing school in 1989 and has worked in hospitals, infusion services, long-term care, consulting and staff education.

She said her early experience as a nursing assistant continues to influence her approach to teaching.

"It was one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of my life, and I haven't forgotten what it feels like to take those first steps," Openshaw said.

Openshaw said the center is intended for more than recent high school graduates or those beginning their careers. She hopes to reach people looking for a career change, as well as individuals interested in using CNA certification as a starting point for additional healthcare education.

Some students may continue toward nursing or other medical professions, while others may choose to remain CNAs throughout their careers.

The decision to establish the center in downtown Gridley also reflects the organization's connection to its local facilities.

Openshaw said the Hazel Street location places students within a short distance of Gridley Post Acute, where they will complete some of their clinical training.

She also hopes the center will become a lasting part of the downtown community.

"We chose Gridley just because it's a perfect fit," Openshaw said.

The training center's motto, "Train Here. Work Here. Grow Here," reflects the organization's plans to connect education with employment and career development.

Openshaw encouraged interested residents to apply, even if they have never worked in healthcare.

"Don't be afraid to apply," she said. "At least, the very least, make a phone call to me or an email to me."

Applications are available at gridleypostacute.com. Prospective students can contact Openshaw at 530-975-4040 or [email protected] for information about the program and enrollment requirements.