From CNA to RMA With Even More Opportunities Ahead

When Meg Asrat joined VMRC as a Certified Nursing Assistant, she was looking for an opportunity to care for others while continuing to learn. What she found was a workplace where taking the next step wasn't just a viable option, it was regularly encouraged.

After gaining experience as a CNA, Meg transferred to Crestwood and continued her education to become a Registered Medication Aide (RMA). Today, just a year into that role, she's already setting her sights on nursing school. Her career has continued to move forward as each new opportunity prepared her for the next one.

A Role Built on Trust

Being an RMA is about much more than passing medications.

As an RMA, Meg helps oversee the day-to-day flow of her neighborhood. She gets to know each resident, coordinates with nurses and caregivers, answers questions, and helps make sure everything runs the way it should. There's a level of ownership that comes with the role because you're not simply completing a list of tasks. You're helping lead the neighborhood processes every day.

Opportunities like this don't happen by accident and transitioning from CNA to RMA wasn't just a promotion. It was a vote of confidence from VMRC's leadership that Meg had the skills, compassion, and judgment to take on greater responsibility. Being trusted with that role gave her the chance to grow professionally while making an even greater difference for the residents she serves each day.

The Support Behind Every Next Step

No one builds a career alone, and Meg is quick to point to the people who have helped her along the way.

When she wanted to continue her education, she found leaders who encouraged her to take that next step and teammates who were always willing to answer questions or share what they'd learned. Those everyday moments of support helped build her confidence and reminded her that she never had to figure everything out on her own.

The residents have shaped her just as much. Whether it's a conversation that brightens a difficult day or seeing the difference compassionate care can make over time, those experiences have given Meg the confidence to keep pursuing new goals, knowing she has a community behind her that wants to see her succeed.

Where Your Career Can Take You

Meg's path is a reminder that careers don't have to stand still. Sometimes the next opportunity is one certification away or maybe it's a conversation with a coworker who encourages you to take a chance on yourself. That's part of what makes working at VMRC so rewarding. No matter where you begin, you'll find opportunities to keep learning, people who want to see you succeed, and meaningful work that grows with you. If you're looking for more than your next job, VMRC is a place where you can build a career you're proud of.