Sisters Jocelyne and Jacqueline Garcia are starting the next journey in their health care careers. Both recently completed the Basic Nurse Assistant Training (BNAT) program and are now enrolled in the Nursing Program at Moraine Valley.

They’re also the first to qualify for tuition reimbursement for their BNAT classes thanks to a new partnership between the college and Smith Senior Living whereby Moraine Valley students qualify for the reimbursement if they remain employed at Smith for a year. Smith Senior Living operates the retirement facilities Smith Village in Chicago’s Beverly community and Smith Crossing in Orland Park.

Both are excited to begin their nursing classes knowing they received excellent training in their BNAT classes. “All of my instructors were amazing and did a good job preparing me for employment. Smith Village reimbursing the Moraine Valley tuition makes me very happy and shows hard work pays off,” Jacqueline said.

Jocelyne agreed with her twin sister. “Everything taught—whether through lecture or lab—was exactly what I needed to know to feel fully prepared and confident to engage myself in this work,” she said. “I’m extremely happy I got this opportunity to be reimbursed for the BNAT program. It definitely motives me to keep pushing forward.”

Smith Senior Living administrators said Moraine Valley was chosen for this pilot program because its BNAT program has an excellent reputation graduating students who are highly skilled and knowledgeable.