Nursing Assistant Certificate

Certificate of Completion: 10 credits

Enrollment Point: Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer Quarter

This program meets both Washington state and federal curriculum requirements for Nursing Assistant Certification. Once certified, graduates are eligible for employment in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, retirement/assisted living facilities, adult family homes, and in-home health care.

Students gain knowledge and learn skills caring for patients of various age groups during acute and chronic stages of disease, surgery, and rehabilitation, as well as how to maintain health during the normal aging process. Included in the curriculum are patients’ rights, basic bedside nursing skills, patient/personal safety, HIPAA, and HIV/AIDS education. Skills are practiced in the program laboratory. Clinical experience occurs in acute hospitals and/or skilled nursing facilities. Students must pass all coursework with a 2.0 average or better and a satisfactory completion of clinical and lab for their certificate. This program is the first phase of the career ladder option for students to become Licensed Practical or Registered Nurses.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Provide safe and competent care to patients/clients/residents and families utilizing current standards of practice in client/patient care. 
• Provide competent nursing assistant care within the legal and ethical standards of practice. 
• Employ culturally sensitive and therapeutic communication skills with patients/clients/residents and families. 
• Practice professional behaviors of collaboration, advocacy, maintaining of on-going knowledge base, and evaluation of own practice. 
• Demonstrate critical thinking throughout the client care processes.