Teanna Campbell, RN, a seasoned healthcare professional with over two decades of experience, has embarked on a remarkable journey from a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to a Registered Nurse (RN) and instructor. Her dedication and commitment to improving the quality of education for CNAs led her to establish Resilient Healthcare Academy. This school program aims to equip aspiring healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers.

After the death of her grandmother, her mother, also a CNA, convinced Teanna to join a CNA program to spend time with other older adults who had more time on this earth than her grandmother did. Her grandmother passed away young, in her 60s.  Initially uncertain about starting a healthcare career in high school, Teanna took the leap and fell in love with connecting with patients and providing assistance. “Just listening to stories and what they did in their past, all of that, I just took an interest in it, and that's why I started. That's what got me into it,” Teanna explained.

“Just listening to stories and what they did in their past, all of that, I just took an interest in it, and that's why I started. That's what got me into it,”

Teanna's motivation to teach CNAs originated from her admiration for her own CNA instructor, who left a lasting impact on her life. She recalled her instructor saying, “Her name was Mrs. Rogers; she was absolutely amazing, and she kind of just really paved the way for me.” Witnessing the care, compassion, and respect her instructor demonstrated toward patients ignited a desire within Teanna to make a similar difference. After finishing the program, Teanna realized that she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, as her instructor has.

After ten years of working as a CNA, she decided to gain further opportunities and knowledge in the field and went back to school to become a (Licensed Practical Nurse) LPN.  During her LPN program, she dealt with a range of issues, from financial to personal health. Teanna was pregnant during her program and had severe hyperemesis— a condition during pregnancy that causes severe vomiting.

She went to school with an (intravenous) IV fluid bag to maintain her hydration levels. While in the LPN program and pregnant, she had to stop working as a CNA, her husband was able to work and support her, but the lack of income created financial issues during school. Despite all of this, she was able to graduate and begin working again as an LPN. “I had a whole lot of complications trying to get my LPN. We went through some financial issues, and it's crazy because I always hear people say they go through financial issues in nursing school, but we did; we went through some financial issues, but I made it out,” she mentions.

“I had a whole lot of complications trying to get my LPN. We went through some financial issues, and it's crazy because I always hear people say they go through financial issues in nursing school, but we did; we went through some financial issues, but I made it out,”

Teanna worked as an LPN for another ten years gaining experience in several areas of expertise. For a while, she even worked as the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON).  While working as an LPN, she noticed a significant lack of knowledge and skills among CNAs she encountered on the job. Determined to address this issue, Teanna took it upon herself to provide guidance and instruction to bridge the gap. As an LPN, she began working as an instructor at a technical school, educating CNAs as part of her passion.

In pursuit of her goal to establish her own school program, Teanna faced initial challenges due to regulations that prevented LPNs from teaching CNAs directly. The classes she taught as an LPN were restricted to teaching services such as medication passing for Medication Technicians. Even though Teanna strived to be the amazing instructor she had when she took her CNA course, in order to do so, she needed to go back to school to become an RN.

After her difficulty with the LPN program, going back to school was not something that Teanna was originally wanting to do until her cousin convinced her to join the program and go back to school together. After passing the entrance exams, she was able to save up and pay for her nursing program without the help of financial aid. Teanna completed the LPN to RN bridge program successfully and was able to start working as a nurse at a hospital.

Teanna had rotations at her hospital to decide what areas of expertise she would be interested in working in. After having rotations in the operating room (OR), intensive care unit (ICU), and emergency room (ER), she found a passion for emergency medicine. “I did a shadow shift in the OR. I stood in on brain surgery, liver surgery, and fistula placement… I did four to six hours on the ICU floor, and I just felt like it wasn't for me. And then I did my shift, four to six hours in the ER, and that's the job that I ended up liking.” Today she still picks up shifts in the ER in her spare time while running her own healthcare school.

“I did a shadow shift in the OR. I stood in on brain surgery, liver surgery, and fistula placement… I did four to six hours on the ICU floor, and I just felt like it wasn't for me. And then I did my shift, four to six hours in the ER, and that's the job that I ended up liking.”

Becoming an RN helped pave a pathway for her to finally accomplish her dreams of becoming a CNA instructor. Opening up a business without any prior experience or a business degree was a hurdle, but one Teanna was able to overcome. Her time as an ADON assisted her with the knowledge of management, payroll, and other financial management concerns. In 2019, she was finally able to open the doors of her own program, where she can teach and motivate others to be healthcare workers.

Teanna acknowledges the challenges that healthcare workers face, such as working long hours and shouldering the physical and mental burdens of patient care. She encourages her students to prioritize their tasks and take care of themselves, reminding them that compassion and understanding are essential qualities. “Because when you step into this world, you know, a lot of us take care of our families, and then we're taking care of people at work, and it can be physically and mentally draining,” she highlights the need for healthcare professionals to maintain their own well-being to be effective in their roles.

“Because when you step into this world, you know, a lot of us take care of our families, and then we're taking care of people at work, and it can be physically and mentally draining,”

At Resilient Healthcare Academy, Teanna's mission is to instill the values of compassion, empathy, and excellence in patient care in her students. Drawing from her own experiences as a CNA and an RN, she has curated a curriculum that goes beyond theoretical knowledge, incorporating practical insights and real-world scenarios. Teanna strives to produce competent and caring healthcare professionals who will make a positive impact on the lives of their patients.

She recognizes that everyone has different aspirations and reasons for pursuing a career in healthcare. She aims to understand her students' goals and provide tailored guidance accordingly. Drawing from her vast experience in various healthcare settings, Teanna encourages students to explore different disciplines and find a path that resonates with them.

She stresses the importance of being in a work environment where one feels fulfilled and motivated, “my biggest thing is that healthcare is big. So never spend time somewhere where you don't feel like it's a place for you. Because that just means that you can't do your work efficiently if you don't like it, and in this type of field, you shouldn't be anywhere that you don't like.”

“my biggest thing is that healthcare is big. So never spend time somewhere where you don't feel like it's a place for you. Because that just means that you can't do your work efficiently if you don't like it, and in this type of field, you shouldn't be anywhere that you don't like.”

Teanna Campbell RN's story is a testament to the power of determination and a genuine desire to improve the healthcare industry. Through her tireless efforts, she is empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the demands of their roles. Her commitment to Resilient Healthcare Academy and the success of her students is transforming the landscape of CNA education, making a lasting impact on the field she serves.