New Beginnings Adult Learning Center

Five years ago, Kizzie Bland started New Beginnings Adult Learning Center. As a nurse, she knew the benefits of pursuing a health care career – but she also knew how difficult it could be for a working adult to get into the field.

“When someone tries to go back to school and they’re working at the same time, taking care of their family, it can almost seem impossible,” Bland says. “I wanted to create a program that works for people who are facing that.”

New Beginnings offers health certification programs for certified nursing assistants, clinical medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and courses in phlebotomy and community-based residential facility work. In order to meet the scheduling needs of the students, the courses are split between self-paced remote work and flexible in-person class hours at New Beginning’s Burleigh Street location.

“They’re short-term, fast-paced courses that provide convenience and hands-on skills,” Bland says.

Courses are taught by licensed nurses and health care professionals, and Bland often recruits ones who went through similar mid-career changes as their students. “Our instructors have been through that struggle. They understand, and they can help,” she says. Students also receive clinical experience through New Beginnings, spending time at hospitals and clinics to learn.

“I’m passionate about health care, and I love to help people elevate themselves and discover new things,” Bland says. “With New Beginnings, I want people to see that it doesn’t have to be a hard decision to go back to school or to make a career change you always wanted.”