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Career Academy alumni tell board CNA and medical-terminology classes helped launch nursing careers; principal reports roof damage after storm
Summary
At the February 2025 work session, two alumni credited Muscle Shoals Career Academy classes — including a certified nursing assistant (CNA) course and medical terminology — with helping them enter nursing; Career Academy principal reported storm damage to the building’s roof and awning.
Two alumni who attended the Muscle Shoals Career Academy told the Muscle Shoals City Board of Education in February 2025 that CareerTech courses helped them prepare for nursing school and early clinical work.
"The CNA class kind of helped me determine that," said Morgan, a 2019 graduate, who described taking medical terminology and the district’s certified nursing assistant course. She said the CNA coursework covered patient activities, vital signs and other skills and included clinical hours at a nursing home required for CNA certification. Morgan added that completing the CNA certification "adds a point on to your nursing application," and that her instructor also helped the class obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) provider CPR certification, which she said is a common requirement for nursing programs.
Lauren Franks, another alumna who spoke, said an internship course "helped me get into preparation mode for the hospital" and that the internship experience — though cut short by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — confirmed her interest in nursing.
Muscle Shoals Career Academy Principal Mr. Madden also reported storm damage at the facility following a tornado. "We had 52 holes in the membranes," he said, describing the roof membrane damage, separated awning sections and displaced metal that punctured membrane coverings. He said some doors and parts of HVAC units were damaged but that interior spaces did not appear to have immediate water intrusion.
Board members and staff framed the alumni remarks as examples of how career-technical education can provide practical skills and credentialing; the principal said the district would address the storm damage. The transcript does not record a vote or formal directive for repair funding during the meeting.
