Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Adams.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My Journey: From Caregiver to Educator
From the time I was a little girl, I knew I was destined to be a caregiver. Between helping with my two younger sisters, caring for my grandmother who lived with Alzheimer’s, and spending time with elderly neighbors, I always found myself drawn to helping others. Growing up wasn’t always easy, but I found comfort and purpose in caring for the people I loved.
After marrying in 1986, I was blessed with two beautiful daughters in 1993 and 1997. I had the privilege of staying home with them, and those years were some of the most meaningful of my life. When my girls went off to school and I found myself with more free time, I knew I wanted to do something that filled that same sense of purpose. That’s when I became a paraprofessional teacher for students with special needs, and it was then that I discovered my second calling — teaching.
In 2007, I felt a new tug on my heart. I knew God was calling me to do something more, so I made the leap into nursing school. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I worked while studying every waking moment, determined to succeed no matter what it took. About three weeks before graduation, I faced one of my toughest challenges yet — I was dismissed from the program over a misunderstanding about plagiarism. Even though I had followed the instructions I was given, I was told I would not graduate. I refused to accept that and fought to appeal the decision. Thankfully, I won my appeal and went on to graduate — and to my complete surprise, I was honored with the Florence Nightingale Award, the highest distinction a nursing graduate can receive.
After graduation, I began working as a floor nurse at a local nursing and rehabilitation facility. I loved my patients and my work, but after four years, my neuropathy worsened, and the physical demands of nursing became too much for my legs to handle. I took on a few other nursing roles here and there, still trying to find where I truly belonged — until one day, I came across an opening for a CNA instructor at Golden Age Healthcare Training. From the moment I stepped into that classroom, I knew I had found my place. It was the perfect blend of my two passions: nursing and teaching. One of my favorite parts of teaching is coming to clinicals with my students. Unlike when I worked as a floor nurse and had to follow a strict schedule, now I can slow down, take my time with the residents, and truly pamper them. I love brushing their hair, painting their nails, or just sitting and talking. Those small moments remind me why I fell in love with caregiving in the first place — it’s not just about medicine, it’s about hearing their stories and making a connection.
In 2015, the school’s owner, Charlene Woodruff, approached me and said she was ready to retire. She told me she wanted to sell the business and started letting doctors and other interested parties look at the business. I expressed my interest in buying the school and after her careful consideration she decided to sell it to me – I was stunned. I sold my home in Senoia, Georgia, and moved to Temple, using the equity from my house as a down payment to purchase the school. It was a leap of faith, but I trusted that God had a plan.
Since then, Golden Age Healthcare Training SW LLC has grown beyond anything I could have imagined. When I first took over, we only offered CNA classes. Today, we also provide Medication Aide, Medical Assisting and CPR certification, with three new programs in development that we can’t announce just yet — but they’re coming soon!
Over the years, we’ve graduated thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to build incredible healthcare careers. Our mission has always been simple: to give people an opportunity to change their lives through education. We keep our classes small, our schedules flexible, and our tuition affordable — because I believe everyone deserves a chance to succeed.
Golden Age Healthcare Training isn’t just a school to me. It’s a reflection of everything I’ve lived — compassion, perseverance, faith, and a love for helping others. What started as a childhood passion for caregiving has turned into a lifelong mission to empower others to do the same. And even after all these years, I still wake up every morning grateful that I get to live out my calling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve faced my share of obstacles on this journey. One of my earliest memories was living in the housing authority, and for much of my childhood, we moved around a lot. Life wasn’t always stable, and from a young age, I had to learn how to adapt and be strong. For almost a year, I was separated from my mother and went to live with my aunt and uncle — an experience that changed me forever. They showed me what family truly meant: love, stability, and the importance of showing up for one another. Later in life, I faced new challenges, including a marriage affected by manic depression, which taught me patience, resilience, and the power of faith. When I decided to go to nursing school, finances were tight — there were nights I wasn’t sure how I’d afford books or gas to get to class. Then, just three weeks before graduation, I was dismissed from the program over a misunderstanding and thought my dream was over. But I refused to give up. I appealed, fought for what I knew was right, and by the grace of God, I graduated. Years later, the night before I was set to buy Golden Age Healthcare Training, I sat in bed preparing myself to be told “no” because of financial reasons — but instead, I heard “yes.” Even when my family didn’t always understand or support my decisions, I kept moving forward. Living with neuropathy has also tested me, but I’ve learned to see it as a reminder that sometimes God redirects us toward a purpose we never expected. Every hardship I’ve faced has shaped me into who I am today and strengthened the compassion I bring to my students and community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Golden Age Healthcare Training SW LLC has been my passion and purpose since 2016. When I took ownership of the school, I knew I wanted it to be more than just a place where people came to earn certifications — I wanted it to be a place where lives could change. Often times when I tell my story about not having stability in my life and the struggles I have endured students will confide in me that their story is very similar and I have given them the drive to make their lives and families better.
Our mission at Golden Age is simple: to help people build meaningful careers in healthcare while giving them the confidence and compassion to truly make a difference. We offer Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medication Aide, Medical Assisting and CPR certification programs, and we have several new courses in the works that I’m so excited to share soon. Each program combines classroom learning with real-world clinical experience, so our students graduate feeling fully prepared to step into the workforce.
I’ve always believed that education should be personal and accessible. That’s why we keep our classes small, offer flexible schedules, and keep tuition affordable — because I never want cost or time to stand in the way of someone’s dream. Over the years, we’ve graduated thousands of students, and seeing them go on to work in hospitals, nursing homes, and private care facilities has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
At its heart, Golden Age isn’t just a school — it’s a community. We celebrate each student’s success as if it were our own, because in a way, it is. Every person who walks through our doors is proof that with the right support and a little faith, you can build a brighter future.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Golden Age wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible people around me. I have a team of instructors and staff who share my same heart for helping others — we truly work together like family. We collaborate constantly to make sure our students feel supported from the moment they walk through our doors to the day they graduate. Many of our students come to us during a turning point in their lives, and it takes patience, encouragement, and teamwork to help them reach their goals.
But truly, without our students, we are nothing. They are the heart of everything we do. Their success stories and word of mouth are what keep new students walking through our doors year after year. It means the world to know that they trust us enough to recommend Golden Age to their friends and family.
I’m also so grateful for the partnerships we’ve built with local nursing homes and healthcare facilities that open their doors to our students for clinical training. We even collaborate on community events — like participating together in the annual Alzheimer’s Walk — to raise awareness and give back to the residents and families we serve. It’s a blessing to watch our students learn, grow, and often get hired by the very facilities they trained in.
And, of course, I couldn’t have done any of this without my family — their support has been my foundation from day one. To me, collaboration is what healthcare and education are all about: lifting each other up so we can all succeed together.
Pricing:
- $975 (CNA) Payment plan available
- $3800 (Medical Assisting) payment plan available
- $525 (Medication Aide) payment plan available
- $70 CPR
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldenagetrainingga.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BaooyVXjR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
