Alma Padron
Friday 2025-12-12
Alma is a Certified Nursing Assistant Instructor at the College of Southern Idaho and has been part of the CSI community since 2012. She began teaching part-time before transitioning into a full-time role in 2018, where she now focuses on preparing future healthcare professionals through the CNA program.
Alma’s passion for nursing began while working as a nursing assistant in the United States.
That experience not only strengthened her commitment to patient care but also inspired her to become a nurse educator. Her educational journey is deeply rooted at CSI, where she completed her CNA training in 1998, earned her GED in 1999, and later completed her RN in 2007. She went on to earn her BSN in 2020 and is currently in the second year of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner program, with plans to graduate in May 2028.
Currently, Alma teaches exclusively in the Certified Nursing Assistant program. What she enjoys most about teaching is witnessing students’ transformation. Many begin with no healthcare background and leave with confidence, competence, and a clear sense of purpose. Seeing students grow and eventually return as nursing colleagues is one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.
Inside and outside the classroom, Alma is committed to supporting student success. She emphasizes helping students discover their “why” for pursuing nursing and believes intrinsic motivation is essential for building resilience, discipline, and perseverance. Her approach focuses on preparing students not only with technical skills, but also with the confidence and critical thinking needed to succeed in healthcare.
One of Alma’s recent initiatives includes launching a Saturday CNA course this fall, expanding access for community members and non-traditional students who need a more flexible schedule. She is also actively working to enhance Canvas course design and instructional materials, exploring new tools, including AI, to create engaging and accessible learning experiences.
Outside of work, Alma values time with her family, especially her almost three-year-old granddaughter, whom she describes as her greatest joy.
A fun fact most students would not guess is that Alma once never planned to pursue higher education. Moving to the United States changed her perspective entirely and sparked a lifelong passion for learning and education.