For more than a decade, Rebecca helped families welcome new life into the world as a labor and delivery nurse at Memorial Hospital. Today, she’s shaping the future of healthcare in a different way — by teaching Goshen High School students how to become nursing assistants. In just her second year with Legacy Medical Academy, she has more than doubled program enrollment, combining hands-on skills with lessons in professionalism, communication, and bedside care.
Last year, she launched Goshen’s inaugural CNA program with 20 students. This year, she’s doubled that number, teaching more than 30 students across morning and afternoon blocks. Each day, she blends classroom lessons, lab practice, and hands-on clinical training at Greencroft, preparing students not only to earn certification but also to step into healthcare careers with confidence.
From Labor & Delivery to High School CNA Programs
A graduate of Indiana University South Bend’s School of Nursing, Rebecca always knew she wanted to serve women and families. “I went into nursing school to be a labor and delivery nurse,” she says. That dream became reality when she was hired into Memorial’s childbirth unit after her senior capstone — a role she held for 11 years.
When balancing long hospital hours with raising three young children became difficult, she shifted into school nursing and substitute teaching. That experience revealed a new passion: Working with teenagers. “I loved the energy, the chaos, and the connection,” she says. “So when Legacy gave me the chance to teach high school students, I couldn’t have been more excited.”
Teaching Skills — and Confidence
For Rebecca, success in healthcare begins with more than technical skills. “I tell my students: you have to be able to look someone in the eye, put your phone down, and really connect. That’s the heart of patient care.”
She emphasizes bedside manner, professionalism, and the importance of remembering why students chose healthcare in the first place. Her approach often includes immersing students in real-world scenarios alongside working CNAs. “Sometimes they see the wrong way to do something, and then we go back and learn the right way. It’s about understanding both.”
Opening Doors for Students
Many of her Goshen students are the first in their families to graduate high school, let alone pursue college. Through the program, they earn 15 Ivy Tech credits along with their CNA certification — credentials that open doors to nursing school, medical school, and other healthcare pathways. “For some of these students, this program is giving them a purpose and a meaningful start,” she says. “It’s changing the trajectory of their lives.”
As she reflects on her journey from labor and delivery to the classroom, Rebecca sees her role as both teacher and mentor. “I want them to walk away with skills, but also with confidence, compassion, and resilience. Healthcare isn’t easy — but if they remember why they started, they’ll have what it takes.”
For more information about Legacy Medical Academy or to inquire about their programs, visit www.legacymedicalacademy.com.
