32 Rdale students celebrate CNA pinning

On Jan. 16, 32 students from Robbinsdale Area Schools took an exciting step toward their futures in healthcare and were celebrated at a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pinning ceremony at Hennepin Technical College.

Students from Armstrong High School and Cooper High School completed a semester-long course focused on human needs, health and illness. Along the way, they built hands-on skills used in hospitals, home health care, and long-term care settings—and successfully completed their final certification exam in HTC’s CNA lab.

Through this program, juniors and seniors earn both high school and college credit while gaining real-world experience that jumpstarts their healthcare careers.

A CNA pinning ceremony itself is a symbolic celebration marking the completion of training and initiation into the nursing profession, where students receive a pin from faculty to signify their achievement. This ceremony is often accompanied by taking the Nightingale Pledge to commit to compassionate care, and it's a personally meaningful tradition distinct from graduation. It honors the hard work of students, faculty, and supporters, bridging academics to their healthcare careers.