What CNA Job Seekers Should Know About the Vandalia Health Nursing Expo

The Sept. 23, 2026 Vandalia Health Nursing Expo at Fairmont's Event Center of White Hall was free and drop-in friendly, but it invited LPN and RN students and recent graduates, not certified nursing assistants. That mismatch created a real choice: attend anyway to meet nurse managers and learn about education assistance, or skip it and miss an in-person CNA-to-LPN or RN pathway conversation.

The event ran 2 to 6 p.m. and is now past, but recruiter contacts and tuition-support details remain useful. CNAs benefit from a resume leading with certification and clinical hours, plus questions about bridge funding and current CNA openings.

Vandalia Health Nursing Expo: Event Details and Post-Event Resources

Is the Vandalia Health Nursing Expo still open for registration after September 23, and what should CNA job seekers do next?

Event basics

The Vandalia Health Nursing Expo was held Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Event Center of White Hall at The Commons, 2600 Middletown Road, Suite 128, Fairmont, West Virginia.¹ Admission was free, and advance registration was encouraged through the Mon Health event page at monhealth.com/main/events/vandalia-health-nursing-expo-1301. As of October 7, 2026, the expo has concluded, and the registration form may no longer accept submissions. No post-event recording, recap, or future expo announcement has been published.

Who it was for and what to do now

The event targeted current nursing students and recent graduates of LPN and RN programs, not CNA new hires. CNAs could still attend to network with nurse managers, learn about externships, the accredited Nurse Residency Program, and education assistance that may support CNA-to-LPN programs or CNA to RN bridge programs. If you missed the fair, check the event page for any future announcement or contact Vandalia Health directly about current CNA openings and employer tuition assistance.

Getting There: Parking, Transit, and Accessibility at Event Center of White Hall

Plan to arrive by car unless you have already arranged a ride. The Event Center of White Hall sits at 2600 Middletown Commons, Suite 128 in White Hall, WV, and available public listings do not identify a public transit route serving the venue.

Parking

Parking is available at Middletown Commons, with 224 spaces across the property. The venue listing does not publish a venue-specific fee, so treat cost as unconfirmed and budget a little extra time to find a spot. Downtown Fairmont meter rates do not apply to this White Hall location.¹

Ride-share and drop-off

If you are not driving, ride-share, taxi, or a preplanned drop-off is the safest option. Do not count on a confirmed bus connection to the event center.

Accessibility

The venue listing confirms wheelchair access, but it does not publish accessible stall locations or a stall count. If you need parking right next to Suite 128, contact the venue ahead of the expo to confirm the closest spots.

Is the Expo Open to CNAs? Understanding the Audience

The Sept. 23, 2026 expo at the Event Center of White Hall in Fairmont is explicitly marketed to current LPN and RN students and recent graduates, so CNAs are not the primary hiring audience. That does not mean certified nursing assistants should skip it. For CNAs weighing their next step, the expo is a rare free chance to see the CNA career progression from CNA to LPN to RN up close. The drop-in format runs from 2 to 6 p.m. and lets you meet nurse managers from a variety of specialties, units, and locations without the pressure of a formal interview.

Why CNAs Should Still Attend

• Career mapping: Ask about CNA-to-LPN bridge programs, tuition assistance benefits, and how CNA partnership programs support nursing assistant employees who want to advance.
• Networking: Nurse managers can explain which CNA roles feed into LPN programs, how CNA programs prepare students for jobs, and what they look for when promoting from within.
• Externship and residency information: Learn about nursing externships and Vandalia Health's accredited Nurse Residency Program, even if you are not yet eligible.

Registration and Drop-In Details

Admission is free and advance registration is encouraged, though attendees may drop in at any time. Register ahead if you plan to ask specific questions about education assistance or bridge options, so you have time to connect with the right people.

Related Articles

How CNAs Can Prepare: Resume, Elevator Pitch, and What to Bring

Preparation before a nursing expo is the difference between a quick hello and a productive conversation. For CNAs, that preparation starts with how to land your first CNA job and a resume that leads with what hospitals care about: current certification, hands-on clinical experience, and skills like vital signs, mobility assistance, infection control, and electronic charting.

Build a CNA-Specific Resume and Pitch

List your state CNA certification and any additional credentials such as BLS or dementia care near the top. Highlight CNA clinical rotations or work settings, including the number of residents or patients you supported, and pair each role with measurable outcomes where possible, like "maintained daily care for 12 residents" or "reduced falls by consistently following mobility protocols."

Your elevator pitch should be 30 to 45 seconds. For example: "Hi, I'm Jordan, a certified nursing assistant with two years of long-term care experience. I'm enrolled in an LPN bridge program and want to learn how Vandalia Health supports CNAs moving into acute care and nursing pathways."

What to Bring

• Multiple printed resumes, even if you registered online
• State CNA certification card or registry verification
• Government-issued photo ID
• A short list of two or three professional references with contact information
• Notebook and pen for recruiter names and follow-up notes
• A written list of questions about shifts, units, CNA tuition reimbursement, and bridge programs

Dress and Approach

Wear professional, interview-ready clothing and closed-toe shoes. You do not need scrubs unless the event materials specify them, but neat, conservative attire helps you stand out as job-ready. Arrive early enough to move through multiple tables without feeling rushed.

What to Expect at the Expo: Interviews, On-The-Spot Applications, and Networking

The Sept. 23 Fairmont expo ran from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Commons, but the 2026 event notice did not promise on-the-spot interviews or CNA-specific hiring.¹ It frames the afternoon as a chance to meet nurse managers and discuss employment, externships, and the Nurse Residency Program. For CNAs, that means networking and CNA career information, not a guaranteed interview line.

What you can expect

• Drop-in format; advance registration is encouraged but not required.
• Nurse managers from multiple specialties, units, and locations.
• Information on nursing externships and the accredited Nurse Residency Program.
• Education assistance and professional development discussions.

How to approach a nurse manager

Introduce yourself clearly: your name, CNA status, and goal, such as "I'm a certified nursing assistant exploring an LPN bridge." Ask which units hire CNAs, what shift patterns they use, and what qualifications they look for , including the CNA clinical skills they expect. Bring a few resumes because managers may pass them to talent acquisition even if the expo is LPN/RN focused.

Where on-site interviews happened

Separate Mon Health walk-in recruitment events offered on-site interviews on Sept. 23 and 30 from 8 to 11 a.m., with later October and November dates open to walk-ins. If you need a guaranteed interview slot, those events are a more direct CNA pathway than the 2-to-6 p.m. expo.

Questions to Ask Hospital Recruiters About CNA Roles and Career Paths

Bring a short list of questions so you can compare units, shifts, and benefits without forgetting anything. Good conversations about your certified nursing assistant career go beyond "are you hiring?" Ask for specifics and write down answers.

Openings, Shifts, and Workload

• Which units are currently hiring CNAs, and which shifts are hardest to fill right now?
• What does a typical CNA patient assignment look like on day, evening, and night shifts?
• What patient ratios or support staff can CNAs expect on each unit?
• Are CNAs assigned to one unit, or should they expect to float between departments?
• How long is orientation, and what skills training or mentorship do new CNAs receive during the first month?

Tuition, Bonuses, and Career Ladders

• Does Vandalia Health offer tuition reimbursement or other financial aid for nursing school for CNAs who want to enter an LPN or RN program?
• Is there an annual tuition cap or a required work commitment after using education benefits?
• Are sign-on bonuses, shift differentials, or weekend pay incentives available for CNA positions, and when do benefits start?
• Is the Nurse Residency Program open to CNAs who later complete an RN program, or is there a separate CNA vs ADN nursing path to consider?

Before you leave the table, write down recruiter names, unit details, and any next-step instructions. Specific notes make follow-up emails much easier to send.

What CNAs Earn in Fairmont and Nearby West Virginia Cities

Federal wage survey data for the Fairmont area and nearby metros is from 2025 and may not reflect current hiring rates. The table below draws on 2026 local job postings and employer estimates for CNA roles across the region. For Morgantown, ZipRecruiter data shows the majority of CNA annual earnings fall between about $35,000 and $48,400 (25th to 75th percentile) as of September 2026.

Tuition Assistance for CNAs: Does Vandalia Health Fund CNA-To-Lpn/rn Bridge Programs?

Vandalia Health does not currently advertise a dedicated CNA-to-LPN or CNA-to-RN bridge program, but several education assistance benefits may help an employed CNA pay for LPN or RN training if the program qualifies. Public details vary by facility and program, so confirm eligibility with human resources before enrolling.

What an employed CNA may qualify for

• CAMC Employee Tuition Assistance: open to employees with at least one year of service enrolled in a degree or certificate program. This could include LPN or RN coursework, but the policy does not confirm bridge curriculum approval.
• CAMC Foundation Educational Assistance: up to $30,000 for West Virginia enrollment, with a required work commitment and employment start within two months of completing the program. Amounts and repayment terms can vary.¹
• Student RN Tuition Assistance: explicitly for accepted and enrolled nursing students, with deadlines of November 1 (spring), April 1 (summer), and July 1 (fall). It is not CNA-specific.
• Mon Health Medical Center Foundation Health Career Scholarship: up to $4,000 total, $1,000 per term, for northern-region Vandalia Health employees and their children. Minimum 3.0 GPA and ACT/SAT scores are required; the 2026 deadline was April 15.

What to ask before applying

No public page names a CNA-to-LPN or CNA-to-RN bridge for 2026, and some older aid applications show past deadlines and should not be treated as current. Ask recruiters whether an LPN or RN bridge counts as a qualifying program, whether funding is paid directly or reimbursed, and what work commitment follows completion.

Nurse Residency Program Eligibility for CNAs at Vandalia Health

Who can enter the RN Nurse Residency?

Vandalia Health's accredited Nurse Residency Program is designed for newly graduated nurses entering RN employment. A CNA credential by itself does not meet the entry bar. Candidates generally need to complete an approved registered nursing program and hold a West Virginia Temporary License before starting employment. So CNAs should see the residency as a longer-term goal after finishing an RN program, not as something they can join now.

What about LPNs?

There is a separate LPN Residency for newly graduated LPNs. It runs 16 weeks across four stages and pairs participants with both RN and LPN preceptors. That structure helps new LPNs move from student status into professional practice. A CNA who has not yet completed an LPN program is not described as eligible.

How CNAs can use the expo to plan the transition

CNAs who want to reach residency eligibility should ask recruiters about tuition assistance, LPN-to-RN bridge programs, and the Healthcare RN Scholars options. Completing an approved LPN or RN program and obtaining the required license is the realistic path from CNA work to a residency slot. If you are currently enrolled in an LPN or RN program, the Fairmont expo is a good place to clarify when you might qualify and compare next steps.

Current CNA Job Openings at Vandalia Health Facilities Near Fairmont

Fairmont-Area Openings to Watch

One Fairmont Medical Center skilled nursing CNA posting lists a $25 hourly wage for a full-time role at 1325 Locust Avenue, with 36 scheduled hours per week on day or night shifts.¹² That role uses three 12-hour blocks, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and may appear under a partner health system rather than Vandalia Health.

• Fairmont Regional Medical Center: Per diem PRN CNA, posted October 1, 2026, open through December 14, 2026.³ This flexible, contract-style opening is the most time-sensitive Fairmont-area listing available right now.
• Fairmont Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center: Full-time and part-time CNA openings at 130 Kaufman Drive in Fairmont; the facility also accepts walk-in applicants.
• Vandalia Health / CAMC Charleston: Full-time CNA I or CNA II in Charleston for candidates willing to commute or relocate; shift type was not specified in the listing.

Applying and Staying Updated

Apply directly through vandaliahealth.org/careers and search for "CNA" or "nursing assistant." Because hiring needs and the CNA job outlook shift frequently, a posting that appears today may close or change shift type quickly. Check the careers page again and note any job titles or IDs to reference in conversations with recruiters. For the Fairmont Medical Center and Fairmont Regional Medical Center openings, keep a printed copy of the job posting handy when you contact recruiters about specific units or shift availability. The per diem role is especially useful for current students in CNA programs because it does not lock in a fixed weekly schedule.

After the Expo: Follow-Up Steps and Staying Connected

The most effective expo follow-up happens within 48 hours, while the conversation is still fresh in a recruiter's mind. A short, specific email can turn a quick table chat into a longer hiring conversation.

Send a Thank-You Email

If a nurse manager or recruiter gave you a business card, send a brief email within two days. Reference one thing you discussed, such as a CNA-to-LPN bridge question or a unit you are interested in. Attach your updated resume as a convenience, not as a hard ask.

Connect on LinkedIn

Search for Vandalia Health recruiters and nurse managers you met, and send a connection request with a note: "It was good to meet you at the Fairmont nursing expo." This keeps you visible without overstepping.

Follow Up on Applications

If you submitted an application or expressed interest in a CNA role, send a polite follow-up after one week if you have not heard back. Keep it brief and reference the expo date.

Watch the Careers Page

Bookmark Vandalia Health's careers page and check it every few weeks. Recruiters often post new CNA openings, including private duty CNA jobs, and future expo dates there before broader job boards pick them up.