Scholarship Provides Win-Win-Win for Recipients, Perham Living, and Residents of Perham Living

Jazzmin was interested in being a nurse from a young age. "I have Type 1 diabetes and spent more time in hospitals and clinics than most. I always watched the nurses and came to appreciate how big a difference they could make." Fast forward to high school and Jazz took the OnTrack CNA course through Perham Living and started working there. One day at work, a co-worker told her about the Long Term Care Scholarship program and she realized it would be a great fit for her.

About The Perham Living Scholarship

Perham Living employees pursuing education in health care fields can receive a scholarship for up to $5,000 per semester or $10,000 per year, to pay for tuition and books. Fields of study include social work, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more. It can also be used to reimburse an employee for taking the OnTrack CNA course. In exchange, scholarship recipients work at Perham Living for 20 hours per pay period (every 2 weeks) while in school, and 40 hours per pay period for 1 year after graduation. Employees are eligible for the scholarship after 90 days of work at Perham Living. For Jazz, the scholarship has been life-changing. "It pays for pretty much everything for school which will allow me to graduate debt-free. It's also a win-win in that I am earning money at the same time I am getting scholarship money to pay for school" she explains.

Jazzmin's Career Journey

Since graduating from high school, the scholarship has given Jazz the financial means to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse. She is currently in her 2nd year at M State -Wadena working on her RN degree. As part of the program, Jazz works 20 hours per pay period at Perham Living. She says that time management is one of the areas where she has grown the most. She must plan and prioritize how she balances her time between school, her work at Perham Living, and just living life. "It can be stressful at times," Jazz comments, "but the money from the scholarship has really made an impact for me. And Perham Living and my coworkers have been very flexible and supportive when I've needed help with schedules."

During the summer months, Jazz works full-time at Perham Living and will earn her RN degree in 2022. After that, she plans on attending MSU-Moorhead and earning her nursing BSN degree. She says the program has impacted her career path by giving her the means to reach her goals and not be in debt. And the residents benefit too by having fully invested, consistent and caring workers. Jazz enjoys the residents and feels that they depend on and trust her. "They know I am going to be there every Saturday to give them their bath. I am a consistent person in their lives. I really enjoy working here," she says.

Paying it Forward

Jazzmin's advice to others who may be thinking about the program is, "Do it. It is a great opportunity to mature and grow as a person. It has made me a harder worker and a more dedicated student. I have learned valuable life lessons about earning and saving money as well as being accountable to myself and others." Jazz has paid it forward and recommended the scholarship program to a classmate, who is now in the program and who regularly gets advice from Jazz.

Grow Your Career at Perham Living

Jazzmin says she would love to continue her career at Perham Living. She is a great example of Perham Living's "grow your own" philosophy as someone who started in the CNA program, and with the help of the scholarship program, is working her way toward an RN and eventually a BSN degree which will open other doors and provide a bright future of opportunities in the Perham Health organization. "I for sure want to work here when I'm done with my education," she says. And that's a win for everybody.

To learn more about our scholarships, call 218-347-1819.