Contact: Samantha Sopher, Program Support Supervisor | [email protected]

To learn more about the work of an NA, read more…

Graduates of this program will…

• Be prepared to work under the direction of LPNs, RNs, or other qualified health care workers to provide basic patient care.
• Demonstrate basic personal care skills.
• Provide patient-centered care and perform nursing skills in a safe, competent and therapeutic manner.
• Use communication skills effectively in order to function as a member of the nursing team.
• Use procedures and techniques to prevent the spread of micro-organisms.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and implement safety/emergency procedures.
• Perform within the ethical and legal boundaries of the scope of practice.
• Display professionalism in appearance and job performance.
• Be eligible to take the WA State Certification Exam for Nursing Assistants.

Nursing Students seeking admission to the Nursing Assistant (NA) program must first apply for admission to Skagit Valley College. Admission to the college does not guarantee acceptance into the NA course or any other nursing program.

Applicants are admitted to the NA program on a first-come, first-served basis. No wait list is maintained. Students must be 18 to take the state exam and receive NA certification. Students need to be aware they must attend all scheduled classes and clinical time to meet State certification requirements.

Permission is required prior to enrollment. The day you are able to register for classes at SVC, please send the a completed NAC Acknowledgement form to [email protected].

To register for permission only courses, Contact:

Samantha Sopher, Program Support Supervisor
[email protected]

Pursuant to the requirements for 1987 Washington Laws, Chapter 496, students must fill out a Department of Social and Health Services background check/disclosure statement. The results of the disclosure search may prevent the student from completing the Nursing Assistant course. For more information about “disqualifying crimes”, please read/review the Licensing Eligibility/Disqualifying Crimes document. If you anticipate problems answering any of these questions, please consult with the Nursing Program counselor/advisor.

Required Classes

• NURS 100 – Nursing Assistant/AIDS Education [lecture] (4)
• NURS 101 – Nursing Assistant/AIDS Education [clinical] (3)
• NURS 102 – Nursing Assistant/AIDS Education [lab] (1)

Prior to participating in any clinical experience, students must show proof of details provided during first week of class:

• Negative TB test, OR chest x-ray and clearance by Health Care Provider.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support card is required.
• Current year influenza vaccine
• Additional required immunizations
• Pass a Department of Health background check (done in class)

The Nursing Assistant course is designed to comply with the Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA 1987) and prepares candidates for the Nursing Assistant Certification in Washington. Students who successfully complete the course work and testing will receive a Certificate of Completion from DSHS and eligible to take the NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) examination in Washington State. Students must be 18 to take this exam. The purpose of the examination is to make sure that you understand and can safely perform the job of an entry-level Nursing Assistant. The NNAAP examination is a measure of Nursing Assistant-related knowledge, skills, and abilities that includes testing by both a written examination and a skills evaluation. Candidates must successfully complete both components of the exam before a state can add their name to the state nurse aide registry. The WA State registry is used to assure employers that the potential hire has met the federal and state requirement for employment. Successful completion of the examination allows for both gainful employment as a CNA and meets the CNA requirements for application into SVC’s RN program.

National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)

The NNAAP is the largest nurse aide certification examination program in the United States.

Uniform

The student uniform required for campus labs and clinicals is a maroon unisex scrub top and black scrub pants, predominately black shoes, and a watch with a second hand. Uniform items can be purchased through the campus bookstore. Students will receive their photo ID badges the first week of class.

Program Costs

In addition to college tuition and student fees, students are expected to purchase books, uniform, general supplies, and other medical-related small equipment items (see the list below). The current tuition and fees schedule can be found in the college catalog or the Tuition and Fees section of the website.

The required program supplies and fees may vary year to year. Upon acceptance into the Nursing Assistant program, the instructor will provide students with an updated list. The following are examples of the typical expenses and approximate cost incurred.

• Nursing textbooks
• Uniform (maroon scrub top, black scrub pants and predominately black, closed toe, non-skid shoes – required wear for campus labs and clinicals)
• Watch (with sweep second hand)
• Gait belt
• Manual blood pressure cuff
• Stethoscope (Littman is recommended)

Additionally, you will have:

• Testing and Other Fees
• Washington State Certification Testing Fees

Note: If a student is employed at a nursing home/extended care center, reimbursement for some or all of these fees may be available. Check with your employer about their reimbursement policy.

Persons interested in a career in nursing need to be aware of potential hazards and risks inherent in the field. Nursing Assistants work in many different environments, some of which are hazardous. NAs and their clients are exposed to infectious diseases, radiation, hazardous equipment, and environments in which accidents occur. NAs may spend a lot time walking, bending, stretching, and standing. They are vulnerable to back injuries because they must often lift and move patients. During the course of the nursing assistant program, students learn strategies to achieve the National Patient Safety Goals for minimizing safety hazards and preventing injury. NAs are not only responsible for their own safety but also for the safety of their clients. Failure to apply the principles of safety may result in serious and/or potentially life-threatening injury to the nursing assistant, the client, or other persons. Safety violations that cause actual or potential harm to clients, self or others will result in immediate dismissal from the Nursing Assistant program.

Specific tasks typically required of a nursing assistant include: performing routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff; answering patients’ call bells, delivering messages, serving meals, making beds, and helping patients eat, dress, and bathe; providing skin care to patients, taking temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, and helping patients get in and out of bed and walk; escorting patients to operating and examining rooms, keeping patients’ rooms neat, setting up equipment, and storing and moving supplies; and observing patients’ physical, mental, and emotional conditions and reporting any change to the nursing or medical staff.

Program graduates work as nursing assistants in extended care facilities, hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and home health agencies. Others work in residential care facilities, such as halfway houses and homes for the elderly or disabled, or in private households. Employment opportunities are numerous as the health care industry continues to expand throughout the world. Employment of nursing assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations in response to an emphasis on rehabilitation and the long-term care needs of a rapidly aging population. Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry. CNA employment provides work flexibility and opportunities for personal growth.