Charlotte Nibler – “Mama” of Medical Assistants
Charlotte Nibler brings 36 years of medical assistant experience, a passion for teaching, and her love of crafts to the Charter College classroom every day. She also brings a lifetime of ups and downs, and she believes those experiences are what help her truly connect with her students and motivate them to be the best they can be.
“Many of our students work full time, have kids, or have other things in life going on. When I share my story, they see I’ve kind of walked in their shoes,” Charlotte says.
Building a Medical Assistant Career
Charlotte worked in her parents’ deli in high school, but she didn’t see that as her life’s mission. When she saw an ad for a Medical Assistant career training program, she thought helping others was a much better fit. But during her program, she got pregnant. Instead of seeing it as an obstacle, her pregnancy became a great motivator. What better reason to build a better life than for the baby growing inside of her? Charlotte finished her program, got out in the field, started her family, and created a long, fulfilling career for herself.
Among the many roles Charlotte had throughout her career, one had a big impact on her future. As a preceptor, Charlotte trained externs from local institutions. Among her trainees was one from the Charter College Medical Assistant Program, and that student thought so much of Charlotte as a teacher and a mentor, she told Charlotte that Charter College Vancouver was looking for Medical Assistant instructors. After some consideration, Charlotte applied and got the job.
A New Chapter: From Medical Assistant to Medical Assistant Instructor
It’s been more than 5 years since Charlotte made the move from Medical Assistant to Instructor and she feels like the team at Charter College is family. Charlotte and the other instructors rally behind the common goal to prepare their students with the skills they need to build a career. And Charlotte says that the school gives instructors and staff the tools they need to achieve that singular goal.
“We’re all about getting our students to work, and Charter makes sure we’re able to do that,” says Charlotte.
Charlotte explains that Charter’s labs allow students to practice important field skills like injections, blood draws, and EKGs, which always gets students excited. Charlotte says she’s also grateful that Charter lets her use her love for crafts to teach other skills like specimen collection order. For example, she explains that students need to learn the order of draw, a phlebotomy skill, so she has them create bead chains with the correct color order, and then they keep them as bracelets, keychains, and car ornaments so they always remember.
Mentorship Matters: “Mama Char” and Her Lasting Impact
At the end of the day, Charlotte wants her students to be successful no matter what life decides to throw at them. Because of her positive attitude, helpful nature, and connection with her student, many jokingly refer to her as “Mama Char,” a nickname she’s fully embraced. Even after her students graduate, she loves to make herself available with any help or advice they may need for their careers. Charlotte loves to bump into former students around town and hear all about their successes. And she loves being at Charter College so much that she’s even thinking about picking up a class or two whenever she decides to retire.
Do you want to learn more about the dedicated instructors and the Medical Assistant program at Charter College? Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more!