Bennington Veterans’ Home Celebrates 8 New LNA Graduates

Healthcare at the Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington received a welcome boost this January as eight new nursing assistants graduated from the facility’s in-house training program. The accomplishment was honored during a ceremony at the campus located at 325 North Street, according to reports from the Bennington Banner.

The new Licensed Nursing Assistants completed an intensive course designed to build clinical skills locally. Chief Executive Officer Melissa Jackson highlighted the achievement during budget testimony before the Vermont Legislature’s House Appropriations Committee on January 28, 2026.

“We have eight LNAs graduating from an LNA class who will be joining us, and we’ll be starting a new class late winter, early spring,” Jackson testified to lawmakers.

Inside the Training Program

The Vermont Veterans’ Home runs a 35-day LNA training program operating Monday through Thursday. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience right on the Bennington campus.

To support candidates while they study, participants are hired as paid temporary state employees. Upon passing their state certification exams, graduates become eligible for full-time nursing assistant positions at the facility.

Key details of the facility’s training initiative include:

• Duration: 35-day intensive training schedule running Monday through Thursday.
• Structure: Classroom learning paired with direct clinical experience on-site.
• Employment: Trainees earn wages as temporary state workers during the program.
• Outcome: Graduates qualify for permanent full-time LNA jobs after completing state exams.

Lowering Staffing Costs for Local Care

The in-house initiative serves an important financial purpose alongside its goal of strengthening direct care. According to state fiscal records from the Joint Fiscal Office, relying on private staffing agencies creates significant financial burdens for the state facility.

Contract agency LNAs cost an average of over 8,000 annually, compared to ,442 for full-time state employees. Preparing and hiring local healthcare workers directly helps stabilize the workforce and manage ongoing operating expenses.

Founded in 1884 and officially opened in April 1887, the Vermont Veterans’ Home is the second-oldest state veterans home in the United States. The Bennington facility offers 24-hour skilled nursing care, memory care, and domiciliary services to military veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents.

What’s Next

With eight graduates preparing to join the staff full time, the Vermont Veterans’ Home plans to open applications for its next LNA training cohort. The facility expects to launch the next class in late winter or early spring.

Sources

• https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi6wFBVV95cUxPcnk2UHMtcGtPSGxtU0xJZmhZa1F4Uy1iWmpZYUdPNTh0Nl9xeGhnZjlQUy1KejEtNkNySFoydlhRWFdoWGpRam9KOG05X2pBU25wZWVWWWZSYjhPcEMwN1dBM3Aycjdpd0tBSjQ1YmRGYzN5eGU1WU9BaGFRRXQ1SXMtZGFWeTNNc0c1NDBhWXJpRm9zT1pmUDhtcVphVlliZGo1SFd2ZjNtV3I0MGNVZnhRZnlVNHo3eHJqMExpVS14czhEekREYjVYOEJlZXRVVFNoS0hVRk1rQ2tUWDN6RjBrcWRGblBkdUZJ?oc=5
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5R-I4gK47U
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvh-lna-grad-jan2026
• https://ljfo.vermont.gov
• https://vvh.vermont.gov
• Bennington Banner – Vermont Veterans’ Home celebrates graduation of 2026 LNA class

This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.