DENNIS IRERI

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT, DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

When he started working in a hospital environment four years ago, Dennis Ireri underestimated how much purpose he would find in interacting with patients. In his role as a certified nursing assistant on the float pool for Duke University Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital, Ireri often found himself sharing small moments with patients, offering comforting words and helping them through challenging times.

“I had no idea I could make that kind of impact,” said Ireri, who receives encouragement from his mother, Katherine, a longtime nurse. “If I could do more with more knowledge, then maybe this is my calling.”

During the 2021-22 fiscal year, 324 Duke University Hospital employees used the employee tuition assistance benefit, the most for any Duke unit. This fall, Ireri will contribute to that total by pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing from the Watts College of Nursing, which he chose partly due to its location in Durham and its eligibility for the Duke employee tuition assistance program starting in summer 2023.

The Watts College of Nursing, which is affiliated with Duke University Health System and accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, has been educating caregivers since 1895. Because it’s not among the institutions accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, it wasn’t eligible for the Duke employee tuition assistance program until the benefit expanded this year.

“We have a need for highly trained nurses, and this helps us build our pipeline,” said Antwan Lofton, Vice President for Duke Human Resources.