Posted:

June 13, 2022

“I love helping people and I love my job.  It makes me want to get up in the morning, and it’s my motivation in life,” Steve Mannie says.

Steve has a lot of compassion for those who need care and loving support.  He was his mother’s caretaker for many years before she passed away; also, he is a cancer survivor.  

Additionally, he has struggled with and overcome a drug addiction.  “I understand others because I’ve been on the other side of difficult times, too,” he adds.

Century College Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program

After becoming clean and sober, he stopped by Century College one day, and talked to Molly Bruhn at Century College’s Continuing Education and Customized Training (CECT) division, and signed up for the Certified Nursing Assistant program.

“Molly was so helpful,” Steve remembers. “And I loved working with Lynnette Lancor, CECT’s Health Career’s Program Manager. She was always there, ready to help. I was always comfortable with her, and I knew I had someone to talk with, if I needed to.”

Steve also enjoyed working with instructor Jan Preuss. “She was amazing—good, thorough, and very nice.  She created a welcoming environment.  Everyone felt welcomed and wanted.  You were made to feel special.”

He was familiar with the College, having completed an EMT program in 2015 while in high school in White Bear Lake, via the 916 Career and Tech Center.

Finding Purpose in Serving Others

During  his CNA training, Steve focused on skills-building. “I was confident with myself, with the knowledge, and the class definitely helped,” he adds.  

In future, Steve will continue working in the health care field.  He dreams of becoming a nurse or doctor.

For now, he’s in the right place at the right time, enjoying his life and work atPresbyterian Homes Waverly Gardens in North Oaks. “It’s not even like I’m at work.  It’s so rewarding, every day,” he says. “It’s so nice to be there. Th e people are the best part of the job, and they always put a smile on my face.”

“And I definitely recommend Century College.  I’m recommending that my younger work colleagues take the CNA course, too!”  

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