Finding Confidence Through Connection: Rizza’s NCC Journey

For Rizza, becoming a Continuing Care Assistant was about more than learning a new role. It was about building confidence, creating meaningful connections and finding new ways to make a difference in the lives of the people she cares for.

When Rizza began her journey with Northwood Career College (NCC), she already knew what it felt like to connect with residents.

Working as a Dietary Aide at Northwood, she had discovered how much she enjoyed engaging with the people around her. She wanted to build on those relationships and learn how she could support residents in a greater way.

“I wanted to support them in a greater way and make a positive difference in their lives,” Rizza shared.

As she began her Continuing Care Assistant program, she was looking forward to gaining hands-on experience and becoming more confident in providing care. But like many students stepping into something new, she also had some nerves.

That’s where her mentor, Emily, became an important part of her journey.

“She didn’t just show me how to do something. She explained the reason behind it.”

Learning through mentorship

Meeting Emily for the first time, Rizza was a little shy and nervous. Emily’s welcoming and approachable nature quickly helped her feel comfortable asking questions and learning at her own pace.

For Emily, mentorship is about giving students the individual guidance they need to feel prepared for the workplace.

“I mentor so students can have individual guidance and be better prepared for the workplace,” Emily shared.

Throughout Rizza’s placement, Emily encouraged her to participate, ask questions and try new things. She took the time to explain not only what they were doing, but why it mattered.

One of those lessons was the importance of seeing each person as an individual.

Rather than assuming what someone needs, Rizza learned to ask questions, listen and involve the person in their own care. It was a lesson that went beyond a procedure or a checklist. It was about understanding the person behind the care.

Where classroom learning comes to life

For Rizza, one of the most valuable parts of her experience was learning directly in the environment where she would eventually work.

“Training inside Northwood made the learning feel more real,” she said.

Instead of only reading about different situations in a textbook, Rizza was able to see how care happens in real time. She could connect what she was learning in the classroom with what she was seeing on the floor.

That hands-on experience helped her develop skills that can be difficult to learn from a classroom alone.

It taught her to notice the small things: a person’s comfort, mood, reactions and preferences. It also showed her how important communication, teamwork and compassion are in providing meaningful care.

For Emily, those experiences are an essential part of preparing future CCAs.

Hands-on learning gives students the opportunity to develop both their clinical skills and the interpersonal skills that help them build trusting relationships with the people they care for.

“Care isn’t only about completing a task. It’s also about how you make the person feel while you’re providing that care.”

Growing confidence, one experience at a time

When Rizza first began her placement, she sometimes questioned her own abilities. She knew she could be shy, particularly when learning something unfamiliar.

But with encouragement from Emily, she began to see something in herself that she hadn’t fully recognized before.

She was capable.

She could build connections with clients. She could ask questions. She could provide care with confidence.

Emily’s encouragement helped Rizza trust herself and recognize her own growth.

And while mentorship provided plenty of opportunities for learning, some of the most memorable moments happened in between.

Rizza and Emily discovered that they shared a love of many of the same foods, which led to plenty of shared lunches throughout the placement. Those small moments helped build a connection that extended beyond the formal mentor-student relationship.

Rizza was also always keen to participate and make the most of her experience, something Emily appreciated throughout their time together.

More than a placement

Looking back, Rizza’s placement gave her more than hands-on experience. It helped shape the kind of CCA she wants to become.

She learned that providing care means looking at the whole person. It means being willing to listen, ask questions, adapt and understand that every person has their own needs, preferences and experiences.

Most importantly, she learned that she didn’t have to navigate the journey alone.

For prospective NCC students, Rizza has a simple message:

“You won’t be learning alone.”

There are instructors and mentors ready to guide students, answer questions and help them grow into their confidence.

“It’s okay to be nervous or not know everything at the beginning,” Rizza said. “The important thing is to be willing to learn, ask questions, and accept feedback.”

Rizza’s story is a reminder of what can happen when learning moves beyond the classroom and into the heart of care.

With the right guidance, hands-on experience and someone in your corner, a student can begin to see not only what they are learning, but who they are becoming.

For Rizza, that journey is leading her toward a career where she can do what first inspired her to become a CCA: make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Start Your Journey at NCC

Rizza's story is one example of where a career in continuing care can begin.

Northwood Career College’s Continuing Care Assistant program combines classroom learning, hands-on training and practical experience to help prepare students for a career supporting people in continuing care.

Ready to take the next step?

Explore the CCA program at Northwood Career College to learn more about the program, admission requirements and how to apply.