Discovering a path through a CNA apprenticeship

Guided by mentors, shaped by experience, and driven by heart, Giancarlo Ramirez Montoya discovered his calling in caring for others.

When Giancarlo shares his journey into healthcare, there is a quiet strength in his voice — the kind that comes from overcoming doubt, finding purpose, and holding onto hope even when the path ahead wasn’t clear. Raised by hardworking immigrant parents, he learned early what resilience, sacrifice, and love look like, without knowing they were quietly guiding him toward something truly special. Today, as a proud graduate of Carteret CC’s CNA Apprenticeship Program, Giancarlo knows he is exactly where he was meant to be.

Before discovering the apprenticeship, Giancarlo was a young man searching for direction. A high school health science class — and the CAPE Internship Program — reignited his curiosity for medicine and gave him his first glimpse of belonging in the healthcare world.

The CNA Apprenticeship That Changed His Path

When his CTE director introduced him to the CNA Apprenticeship Program, a partnership between Carteret CC and Carteret Health Care, Giancarlo felt a spark of possibility. The program offered hands-on experience, accelerated training through CNA I and CNA II, and the chance to learn in a hospital environment where compassion mattered. For Giancarlo, it felt like the opportunity he had been quietly hoping for.

Once accepted and hired by Carteret Health Care, he quickly realized how transformative the program would be. Classroom learning paired with real-world patient care helped him grow in maturity, calm under pressure, and confidence. “This combination helped me grow so much,” he shared. “It showed me my strengths, my weaknesses, and the kind of caregiver I want to be.”

Growing Through Compassion, Challenge, and Community Support

While his technical skills grew, it was the human moments that changed him the most. “My favorite part was being trained by people who cared about how patients truly felt,” he said. Learning compassion and empathy became the heart of his caregiving — and the reason he knew he belonged in healthcare.

But his journey wasn’t without challenges. There were days when exhaustion and self-doubt made him wonder if he could continue. What carried him through were the people around him: instructors who treated him like family, hospital staff who mentored him, and loved ones who supported him through every early morning and late night. “They took me under their wings and helped me thrive,” he said.

Achievements, Purpose, and a Future Filled With Possibility

As he earned certifications, built trust with patients and staff, and grew into a dependable CNA, Giancarlo realized how far he had come. One of his proudest moments was simply being chosen to share his story. Helping others — and inspiring future CNA students — means everything to him.

The apprenticeship also opened his eyes to the wider world of healthcare. Observing nurses, physicians, and specialists sparked new dreams. “I will push to be a nurse — and one day, a neurosurgeon,” he said. His goals are bold, but they are grounded in purpose and compassion.

His advice to future apprentices is simple and wise:
“Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Speak up. The question you ask might help someone else too.”

A Journey That Changed Everything

Looking back, he feels nothing but gratitude. “This program took my life and gave it a whole 360 for good,” he said. He pushed through long days, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt — always fueled by the desire to make his parents proud and to become someone patients can rely on.

Today, Giancarlo stands as a powerful reminder that with courage, support, and heart, anyone can rise, succeed, and change lives. His journey shows that no matter where you begin, a brighter future is possible — and that compassion can transform not only the lives we touch, but the life we build for ourselves.

For information about our CNA Apprenticeship Program contact Rhonda Piner at [email protected].