NE Wyoming News

GILLETTE, Wyo. – March 17, 2023 – Kaydence Black was recently selected to be part of Campbell County Health’s first Journey Program cohort. A Thunder Basin High School senior, Kaydence, will join four other high school students who are aspiring healthcare professionals through this unique education program.

Kaydence has been a CNA for close to a year and a half and currently works at the Legacy. Recently, she transferred to Med-Surg to gain a broader healthcare perspective as the next step in her career. Her mother, who inspired her to pursue healthcare, also works at the Legacy.

“My mom was my inspiration,” said Black, “She’s been in healthcare as long as I can remember. As a kid, that got me into it [healthcare]. I knew I wanted to be in healthcare; I always wanted to become a nurse.”

For Kaydence, the ability to help and care for others was the most significant appeal to a career in healthcare. She loves teamwork and says she works very well under pressure - helping others through stressful situations gives her a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

When the Journey Program was first announced, Kaydence was immediately interested.

“I wasn’t sure I would get selected [for the Journey Program],” said Black. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance; the idea of having my school paid for and being able to follow my dreams was amazing.

Kaydence is a trailblazer in her family as a first-generation college student. Being the first in her family to go to college made Kaydence and her family incredibly proud.

“As a first-gen college student, the Journey Program means something beyond words to me,” said Black. “I never thought I would get an opportunity like this.”

Outside of school and work, Kaydence spends a lot of time during summers at Gillette Thunder Speedway with her boyfriend. She also enjoys hanging out with her family, watching her younger brother and sister grow up, and spending quality time with her parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Join us in congratulating Kaydence on her admission to the Journey Program and stay tuned for more as she launches her healthcare career and becomes a leader in the next generation of what it means to embody Excellence Every Day!

The Journey Program is a multi-year program that pairs education and job training. The 2023 cohort will enroll in professional development programs at CCH, and CCH will pay for their college classes and materials. Stay tuned for more feature stories on these amazing students!

Original source can be found here.