Member Spotlight: Haidee Wasan Caban

Member Spotlight: Haidee Wasan Caban

Our members say it best!

Haidee’s Success Story

Haidee Wasan Caban, a Dialysis Nurse at Swedish Medical Center First Hill, has been an RN for 17 years and has used the Training Fund to continue her education.  

Haidee started her career as an Operating Room nurse in the Philippines. She says, “Initially, I was drawn to nursing because it was an opportunity to come to America. But as I embarked on my nursing journey, my passion grew.” Haidee received her BSN in the Philippines, and she credits her family’s unwavering support and the scholarships that made her education possible.  

Photo of Haidee

After immigrating to the US in 2015, she started working as a GI nurse in Albany, New York, and then later moved to Washington in 2019 where she transitioned to Dialysis Nursing. Her experience led her to realize being a nurse is more than just a job: “It is deeply fulfilling to see how I can make a positive difference in people’s lives through my work.”

When Haidee joined Providence Swedish, she took the time to explore all the opportunities available to her and learned about the Training Fund’s benefits. She says, “I was fortunate to have Janee Wilson as my Intake Coordinator, who was not only personable but also incredibly responsive to my needs. When we first spoke, I was still clueless as to what I wanted to do and where I wanted to study. She introduced me to Western Governors University, which ended up being the perfect fit for me in terms of affordability and schedule flexibility.” Our staff and education Navigators provide guidance and support to help members like Haidee find the best options that fit their goals and situations.

Haidee is honest about challenges along the way, sharing “It certainly was not easy. My educational journey presented its fair share of challenges. I do not have any immediate career goal or promotion I am eyeing. So, when it got tough, there were moments when I questioned my decision to pursue further education.” But now that she has graduated, Haidee reflects that “having this credential under my belt provides reassurance that I’m well-prepared for whatever the future may hold. It’s a qualification that enhances my competency and opens doors for potential growth down the line.”

Haidee completed her MSN in less than six months! Looking back, she says, “It was no small feat to balance a full-time job and the responsibilities of being a wife and mother while also studying for my graduate degree. It was only possible thanks to the unwavering encouragement, support and understanding from my husband, son and parents.”

“Most importantly, thanks to Training Fund, I had free education!”

Tuition Assistance and individualized navigation are just some of the many benefits that the Training Fund offers members to help you achieve your goals. Haidee shares her encouragement: “When I finally took that leap of faith and submitted my application, everything changed. Now, I proudly hold a Master’s in Nursing, all thanks to that initial action. So, don’t hesitate—take that first step, and who knows what incredible opportunities await you!”

Reach out to the Training Fund to take the next step.

Tuition Assistance Deadline is October 15th for courses beginning January 2025 or later.

Questions? Contact us at .

EVS Week 2024: Training Fund benefits for Service members

EVS Week 2024: Training Fund benefits for Service members

Happy Environmental Services Week!

National Environmental Services week, September 8th-14th, honors the important work that EVS staff perform in healthcare facilities to promote better patient care. We have several programs, opportunities, and support services to help our EVS and Service members achieve education and career goals.

Benefits for Training Fund Service Members

Tuition Assistance

Members can apply for Tuition Assistance (TA), which can cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs. After 1 year of service with your employer, Service members can apply for Tuition Assistance.

Increase in Tuition Assistance for Service members!

Eligible Service members can now apply for up to $5,250 in Tuition Assistance. The previous annual maximum cap for Service members was $3,500.

This is a limited-time opportunity that is only available on a first-come-first-served basis, or until available grant funds are exhausted.

Learn More

I am working full time and wanted to continue my education goals. I thought they would be out of reach since I was struggling with funds but because of the Tuition Assistance and the Service member Tuition Assistance funding increase I am able to take the pre-req classes I need to be able to eventually apply for nursing school.

Amanda Chu

Medical Assistant, UW Medical Center- Northwest Campus

Professional Development

Service members have access to up to $300/year in Professional Development reimbursement for: 

  • Continuing Education Unit (CEU) conference registration, courses, and required materials 
  • Professional Memberships 
  • National Certifications exams or courses/review materials that prepare members for those exams

You can use your Professional Development funds to cover the cost of BLS/CPR/ACLS/PALS Certification through LifeTek! Training Fund members receive a discount. Learn More

You also have free access to unlimited CEU courses through HealthStream.

Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians (ACET)

The Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians (ACET) program allows EVS members to learn more skills and possibly receive certification pay. This healthcare industry-informed 24-hour EVS professional training program combines interactive online learning and examination with onsite training and assessment.

English Tutoring

Improve your English listening, speaking, reading, and writing with the Training Fund’s SMRT English program that has English Language courses specifically designed for healthcare professionals.

This easy to use, fun, online English learning includes a personal English Tutor, healthcare specific English lessons, support for every level of English, and training on using computers and internet safely. SMRT English tutoring is free for Training Fund members.

Connect with your Training Fund Navigator to discuss your tutoring needs before requesting a tutor.

Questions? Email  or call us at (425) 255-0315.

Laptop & Hotspot Lending

Laptop Lending

We partner with Eduscape to provide laptops – free of charge – to Training Fund members who are currently enrolled in Training Fund programs. This program offers a short-term laptop loan to help you achieve your education goals. Loans are not intended to exceed 90 days or during the decided duration for an approved Training Fund program. Our staff can also work with you to overcome barriers for your own permanent resource. 

Mobile Hotspot Lending

The Training Fund has mobile hotspots – free of charge –  available to support eligible members who have limited Internet connectivity and are participating in approved Training Fund programs. These hotspots are provided by our partner, Eduscape.

Get connected to these lending programs and explore other supportive services.

Graduation Celebrations

Graduation Celebrations

Congratulations, Graduates!

Kudos and congratulations to all our graduating members and apprentices!

We celebrated several program graduations over the summer, including: Bellevue College’s RN to BSN pinning ceremony, Introduction to Healthcare employment & Apprenticeship Program (with Seattle Jobs Initiative), Behavioral Health Apprenticeship graduation, and our first Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship with Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center.

We are so proud of all these new graduates: Nursing Assistant-Certified participants who completed their training; and the Medical Assistant apprentices, Behavioral Health, and Pharmacy Technician apprentices who have completed their apprenticeships.

Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Graduation

The Training Fund hosted our first Behavioral Health Apprenticeship graduation on July 18th, 2024. We celebrated graduates from our Behavioral Health Technician Apprenticeship, Peer Counselor Apprenticeship, and Substance Use Disorder Professional Apprenticeship programs. It has been our honor to support these apprentices on their journey and celebrate this huge accomplishment. 

Photo of Karla Martinez

“I currently work with residents with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or schizophrenia. It was different to me and I wanted to learn more about these health issues that constantly develop with our elderly population. The more the class progressed, the more I learned on how these health issues can be caused or how we can assist these residents as well.

The Training Fund constantly checks up on me and sees how I am doing with work as well as any needs I may have. I always had a fear of speaking publicly but with Jessica as our instructor for BHT she brought me out of my shell, and I completely lost that fear.”

Karla Martinez-Zuniga, Behavioral Health Technician Apprentice, Cascade Senior Living Services

RN to BSN Pinning Ceremony

Congratulations to the members who graduated from the RN-to-BSN program at Bellevue College this year. The program is part-time or full-time, low-residency, and has a flexible hybrid model. Training Fund members have priority acceptance into this program.

Photo of Meeral standing in front of a Graduation banner holding her pin.

“Going to school while working full time and balancing a family can be really challenging. The Training Fund helped by covering tuition, fees, and books for my last 2 quarters of the BSN program. I have always wanted to work in healthcare and although my role has changed over time, the passion and reward I feel in taking care of others endures. I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do a residency in the NICU and I love my patients and being able to help families through what can be a really challenging time. 

Meeral Khatri, RN, Valley Medical Center 

Introduction to Healthcare employment and Apprenticeship Programs (IHAP)

Fifteen participants graduated from the Spring 2024 IHAP cohort with Seattle Jobs Initiative. Our first IHAP cohort in Pierce County in partnership with Arivva also completed their training.

Photo of Kianna Hill

“I want to start off with saying that my passion is caregiving. Unfortunately, I struggled with addiction issues. My addiction ended up taking me away from my family, my friends, my passion. I had to change the people and places around me. I’m actually gaining two years of sobriety this month. I decided to work in the IHAP program, after I saw others complete the IHAP program and the NA-C program. This is an opportunity to get back into my passion.”

Kianna Hill

Kianna also went on to complete the Nursing Assistant- Certified Training Program. She adds, “I really learned a ton from doing my clinicals. The training I went through has helped me be able to jump right in to my new NAC job at Kline Galland Home. I am consistently using the skills I obtained throughout IHAP as well as my NAC courses. I absolutely love being able to make my residents smile and make their days better.”

Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship in High School

The pilot Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center (Snohomish County) apprenticeship program for Pharmacy Technicians is a first-of-its-kind apprenticeship opportunity for high school students in WA state. Apprentices also earn college credit in partnership with North Seattle College. We are thrilled to celebrate the first graduates of this program!

“This program is geared toward the industry. We are developing students so that they are industry ready when they complete the program. They got their high school credits, college credits, and got paid while they were doing it. It’s a win win win!”

Shelly Griner, Instructor

Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship graduatation

“This apprenticeship program has impacted my life by creating the opportunity for me to apply my love for healthcare, and also help others in the real world,”

Arizona, first apprentice of the Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship class

Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Deadline Dec 1

Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Deadline Dec 1

The Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award application deadline is right around the corner!

Did you know that we provide our Professional and Technical members with up to $1,500 once per year (in reimbursements) to attend local and national conferences?*

Apply before December 1st for any upcoming conference.

We encourage you to apply early!

Professional and Technical workers also have professional development money available to them.

These benefits enable you to attend conferences, advance your career, and minimize personal out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Pro/Tech Conference funding can cover the cost of travel (hotel, transportation expenses, etc.) and registration fees.
  • Pro/Tech Professional Development benefits can cover the cost of attending a conference, e.g., registration fees.
  • Both benefits require members to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The quarterly deadline to apply for a Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award is December 1st*

*Applications must be submitted before the conference.

Benefit awards will be announced each quarter. It is recommended that applications be submitted throughout the year for an upcoming conference. 

The Training Fund launches the first IHAP Cohort in Pierce County with Arivva

The Training Fund launches the first IHAP Cohort in Pierce County with Arivva

Introduction to Healthcare employment and Apprenticeship Program (IHAP)

First Pierce County Cohort with Arivva

Group photo of the Training Fund's first IHAP Cohort with Arivva.

The Training Fund’s Introduction to Healthcare employment and Apprenticeship Program (IHAP) trains entry-level job seekers for healthcare careers. IHAP was developed by the Training Fund’s Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium (HCAC) and is implemented in partnership with Seattle Jobs Initiative (King County) and, more recently, Arivva (Pierce County). Diversifying the healthcare workforce and generating opportunities for under-represented and currently unemployed individuals is a key focus of this program.

Dan Bissonnette, Executive Director, explains why Arivva opted to partner with the Training Fund: “Our organizational missions matched. Arivva seeks to serve unemployed and underemployed individuals living in Parkland and throughout Pierce County through no-cost job training programs that result in living-wage jobs on a sustainable career path. The Training Fund opportunity was a perfect match for us to bring IHAP to Pierce County.” Arivva’s first IHAP cohort demonstrates this program’s positive impact on the local community.

IHAP consists of two Phases: Phase 1 is a free 3-week training program that provides introductory overviews of healthcare career opportunities, professional development, and wraparound support services for participants. Phase 2 is an 8-week Certified Nursing Assistant (NA-C) training program for those who want to pursue the introductory phase and obtain NA-C certification. The focus is on teaching practical skills and medical terminology while providing structure and a positive environment to foster growth and achieve success. In this manner, IHAP generates entry pathways while also removing barriers to education.

Participants in this first cohort appreciated the valuable skills they had learned over just a few weeks, such as resume-building and interview skills. IHAP creates a community to support participants every step of the way. IHAP instructor Ben Gonzalez explains,

“This kind of program is empowering, and I love what it does for the community. I like inspiring the students, reminding them of their power, feeding their ambitions, and providing them with tangible skills to take forward into job interviews and further.”

The diverse voices and experiences in this first Arivva IHAP cohort are inspiring!

Photo of Ben Gonzalez, instructor for IHAP at Arivva.

Ben Gonzalez, Instructor

Photo of Kenah and Guilain, two African men.

Kenah Dimasius Kum (left), Guilain Kanane (right)

Guilain, who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been in the US for four months and is pursuing his dreams. He shares, “Back in Africa, I was born and grew up in a war zone. I saw a lot of people dying from gunshots or bombs; that is where my passion started. You feel like you can’t help. Since childhood, I wanted to one day become a doctor. When I came to America, I got the opportunity to join this program.” Guilain plans to pursue the NA-C training program and says, “I feel so happy, and I can achieve my dream. I want to eventually become a surgeon.”

Denise is a mother of two adult children and reminds us, “It is never too late.” She explained her interest in a healthcare career: “I have been passionate about healthcare since I came to America. I have had multiple caregiving positions all throughout the last several years – and these only grew when I later became a patient myself. I was moved by how well I was taken care of, both in the hospital and afterward in rehab. I really appreciate that this is a free program, and all the opportunities arising out of this. I would like to explore working in a hospital setting and patient care, maybe a rehab facility.”

Photo of Denise

Denise Moisescu 

IHAP is an important entry for those wanting to build a healthcare career. But more significantly, it simultaneously strengthens and diversifies our healthcare workforce.  “Many, many jobs for the Certified Nurse Assistant in Pierce County have gone chronically unfilled for a long time,” says Dan Bissonnette. “IHAP provides an introduction to healthcare careers and, specifically, no-cost NA-C job training. This opens avenues for individuals who previously could not access such training.”

Perhaps what is most amazing about IHAP is the sheer diversity of career goals and opportunities within the healthcare industry. Just within this pilot cohort, IHAP participants expressed a range of interests and aspirations:

Jaisona’s goal is to be a radiology technician. She chose IHAP because she wants career stability for herself and her two-year-old daughter.

Jon, inspired by his mom, who was an RN for 60 years, is entering the medical field after an 18-year military career and a long history of manual labor. He wants to work in telemedicine and is interested in potentially becoming a cardiac monitor technician.

Kenah, who recently immigrated from Cameroon, plans to complete the NA-C program and become a medic or a nurse.

Diamond is starting a new career in the medical field while also encouraging her grown daughter to pursue a degree or work in healthcare.

Noelani was inspired by multiple family members who are all nurses. Due to her own medical issues, she was also frequently in hospitals as a young girl and wants to eventually work in Pediatrics.

IHAP offers participants multiple opportunities through a single entry point—and provides them with structure, support, and encouragement along the way. The opportunities are endless, and no matter where you start, the Training Fund can help you finish!