Nancy Scott RN (centre) wins the Herzing College Teacher of the Year award for her outstanding work with health care aide students

Health care aides (HCAs) are in high demand in Winnipeg and across most of Canada. Our rapidly aging population and dwindling health care budgets have long-term care facilities bursting at the seams.

Meanwhile, many seniors are opting to stay in their own homes for longer, creating a need for trained health care aides who can assist them to live safely on their own.

If you're looking for a career in healthcare that doesn't require years of training, but involves challenging, meaningful work—becoming a health care aide is an ideal option.

Photo: Herzing graduate, Sheri Richard in her Health Care Aide uniform at Extendicare Oakview Place in Winnipeg.

It's always really exciting to catch up with Herzing grads and see how much their lives have changed since finishing school and starting a brand new career.

Health Care Aide graduate Sheri Richard, is a great example. She switched career paths later in life, when she could no longer find work in her field and needed a new direction.

Sheri knew she wanted to help people, so she started looking around for quick training options. A five-month health care aide diploma was an ideal fit.

And even though she has three children and a very busy schedule, Sheri took the leap and started the program. Turns out, it was the best decision she ever made.

Here's what she told us about heading back to school, starting her health care aide career, and where she's working now.

Herzing Health Care Aide students pose for a photo 

Are you considering becoming a health care aide (HCA)? Wondering what's involved in training, and whether you'd be a good fit for this career?

There's no one better to talk to than Nancy Scott, RN. Nancy has been teaching full-time for 20 years, and actually helped develop the Health Care Aide Program at Herzing College in Winnipeg.

She started as a health care aide herself, and has brought years of experience, dedication, and passion to the program. In fact, it's because of Nancy's commitment to excellence that Herzing now offers the most comprehensive, cutting-edge health care aide training in Winnipeg.