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Lizbeth Retana Maldonado was born in Mexico, moved to Virginia with her family as a toddler, and soon called Charlottesville home. Growing up, she says she didn’t have clear career aspirations. She worked in retail — but yearned to learn something new. Then Maldonado heard about UVA Health’s Earn While You Learn (EWYL) Program.

“I had some interest in becoming a nurse, but I didn’t want to go straight into nursing without seeing if it was something I really wanted,” she recalls. “Hearing about the program of becoming a certified nurse assistant [CNA] while working at UVA Health was perfect! I could let go of my retail job — and focus on education while getting hands-on experience.” Maldonado completed EWYL in summer 2022.

Many CNAs go on to become a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) or Patient Care Technician (PCT). Maldonado has been working as a PCT for about five months. “When I first started, I was assigned to 6 West to get my training. I’ve stayed here ever since! I do love this job and it’s teaching me a lot every day,” hails Maldonado, who’s considering whether to make a long-term commitment to healthcare. “I can make a difference for the patients who stay here. I get to bring them a smile or hear them out when they are feeling low. I get to make their stay a little better.”

She adds that a lot of emotions come with this role — but Maldonado is excited to see patients smile and recover as time goes by. “That’s what keeps me going and makes me know it’s worth being here!”

Destination for Talent

EWYL is a key driver in UVA Health’s strategic plan goal of Best Place to Work.

“In the face of national workforce shortages, UVA Health must be a destination for talent at every level by becoming the best place to work, learn, and grown,” states the plan, by among other things, “enhancing and expanding human resource services aimed at optimizing recruitment and retention, and cultivating a workplace of choice …. Investing in our … talent along every career stage.”

By the Numbers

EWYL fits the bill. Since launching in June 2022, the program has hired about 300 new team members. 84% successfully completed the courses and are continuing with employment as of October 2023. No experience is required; a high school diploma or GED is necessary. The program costs nothing for participants and provides structured coursework, on-the-job-training, and full-time benefits (which equal about 30% of the salary) while training. UVA Health asks for a one-year commitment from participants.

EWYL kicked off in pharmacy, and in less than two years, has grown to offer five more paths:

• Certified Nurse Assistant: six- to eight-week training; next hire date: February 2024.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): three-month training; next hire date: February 2024.
• Medical Assistant Training: nine-month training; next hire date: February 2024.
• Phlebotomy Trainee: 12-week training; next hire date: June 2024.
• Pharmacy Technician: nine- to 12-month training; ongoing hiring.
• Sterile Processing Technician: 16-week training; next hire date: February 2024.

Almost 60 participants have completed the CNA training during a 14-month period. The course completion rate is 88% while the one-year retention rate is 61%.

And since the Medical Assistant Training began in June 2022, there have been four cohorts — a new one starts every four months. 71 participants have been trained during a 14-month period. The course completion rate is 93% while the one-year retention rate is 85%.

Pioneering Work

In 2023, Beth Mehring, MSN, RN, EWYL Program Manager, earned the highest individual team member award as a Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor.

She was honored for her “unwavering dedication and innovative approach to workforce development” and “pioneering work” establishing EWYL, which “has addressed critical staffing shortages and created valuable career opportunities.”

Community Engagement | Distinction in Education

"We're working closely with others throughout the state to help develop healthcare training and career opportunities — this is a broad need," says Mehring, who along with Wendy Horton, PharmD, CEO, UVA Health University Medical, was featured in an American Hospital Association podcast and case study about EWYL in fall 2023. "From there, I have received inquiries from others interested in our efforts." 

EWYL is working very closely with Piedmont Virginia community College (PVCC) and Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) on existing EWYL programs and actively planning new programs with PVCC. "Meeting the demands for healthcare will take totally new and innovative programs," says Mehring.

They're striving to start a registered nurse (RN) EWYL, but don’t have a timeline at this point.

And as the Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Award hails, EWYL also "has sparked community engagement and partnerships with other nursing schools, thereby fortifying UVA Health's standing as a healthcare education leader."

What's Ahead?

“We're thrilled with the success of our first year!" says Mehring. “We continue to work on expanded opportunities for the future with a focus on career progression.”