For Chris Blaydes, a longtime instructor in IVCC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program, her connection to the college is sentimental and deep. She wasn’t just a teacher she was once a student here, too.
Blaydes retired on Dec. 31, 2024, after 21 years of teaching.

From Student to Instructor
Blaydes attended IVCC and graduated with her nursing degree in 1994.
“I went right out of high school,” Blaydes said, “Honestly, I majored in Euchre more than anything else. We had a student gathering space, I think they called it the student union, and we played a lot of Euchre there. I should have taken more classes, but I’m just kidding.”
Despite her joking, IVCC became a significant part of her life. She even met her husband at IVCC.

Teaching, Making a Difference
Blaydes started as a CNA instructor in October of 2001. She took a short break around 2008 to 2010. “Overall, I’ve been here for over 20 years. I actually passed my 20-year recognition.”
She hadn’t always thought of becoming an instructor, but she saw a need in the community and stepped up to the role.
“I was in my 50s when I started. I had done all the other things in my career, and I thought, ‘Let’s see if I’d be any good at teaching.’ I noticed there was a need for quality caregivers.
“Many of the CNAs I worked with knew what they were doing, but some lacked confidence. And when it comes to working with dementia patients, communication is everything. I wanted to help teach them the right way to approach people.”

Importance of CNA Program
The CNA program “ensures that students are competent in their manual skills, but also that they can think critically and prioritize. If you’re given a list of patients for the day you need to know who to check on first. If little Martha was sick yesterday, she should be a priority today. Being a CNA isn’t just about skills- it’s about using good judgment,” she said.
She also stressed how important empathy and compassion are when working in any caregiving field.
“Our elder population matters. They are not a burden. They already feel like they are sometimes, and it’s our job to make sure they are treated with dignity. Dismissing a dementia patient with ‘Oh, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about’ is not acceptable. They deserve the same respect as anyone else.”

Changes Over the Years
When asked about the changes she has witnessed in students, Blaydes said, “One big change? Respect. Students could be more respectful to their instructors and to each other. It’s not everyone, of course, but I’ve seen a shift over the years.”
She also talked about the major issue in attendance.
“CNA students have to complete a set number of hours because of state requirements. If they miss too many classes, they have to be dropped, but some still ask for exceptions. How do you make up lecture time? You can’t.”
A rise in distractions has also been noticeable, especially with phones.
“We tell them no phone usage in class, but they try to be sneaky. I always compare it to watching a movie— if you look at your phone, you miss part of the story. Same thing in class. It’s all about respect for the rules.”

A Legacy of Teaching
The inspiration for Blaydes becoming a CNA instructor was due to her seeing, “the need for caregivers to have proper skills— safety, infection control, and patient rights. But more than that, I wanted them to know they have value. Sometimes people don’t treat CNAs like they matter, but they do,” she expressed.
The most rewarding aspect of her job was, “Seeing students interact with the people they’re caring for—with empathy and compassion. That’s so important. When I see them truly caring, especially for elderly patients, I know I’ve done my job.”

Favorite Memories
Blaydes expressed how she loved seeing everything click for her students and seeing her teaching pay off.
“Maybe on the last or second-to-last day of clinical, I’ll be standing there, not doing too much, because the students have got it. I see them thinking, prioritizing, asking for assistance when needed, and just doing the job well. That’s the moment. When what we demonstrated in the classroom and the lab is finally applied, and they’re competent.”

Retirement and Looking Ahead
Blaydes doesn’t have anything specific planned for her retirement, she looks forward to visiting with family and spending time at home.
“My house is in the middle of the woods, and I enjoy it. I have a couple of ducks and two parrots that demand my attention,” she said with a chuckle.
“Oh, and I have some closest that need serious attention!”

Final Lessons and Wisdom
If given the opportunity to teach one more class lesson she would lecture on, “ethics, empathy, and compassion. If every CNA mastered those three things, they’d be excellent caregivers.”
Blaydes also passed along some wisdom to the future CNAs, “Always remember: every person has value- including you.
“Caregivers need to take care of themselves, too. I always use the example from flights— when the oxygen mask drops, you have to put yours on first before helping others. It’s the same in caregiving. You can’t care for others if you don’t take care of yourself.”
After more than 20 years at IVCC, Blaydes has left a lasting impact on the CNA program and the students who had her as a teacher. She showed strong dedication to her teaching, her passion for quality care, and her belief that caregivers should be valued and treated with respect.
“Please remember that each person has value and appreciate that we are all different, but know that we are all equal.”