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Certified Nursing Assistant - Basic
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120 Hour Basic Nursing Assistant
The Nursing Assistant program prepares an individual for employment as a nursing assistant in a health care facility or home health agency. This technical certificate program is offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Emphasis is placed on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to provide basic personal and nursing care. Students receive classroom and lab instruction as well as supervised clinical experience in a nursing home.
The nursing assistant is responsible for assisting a client with personal care; fluid and nutrition; mobility; and elimination needs. In addition to meeting physical needs, nursing assistants also play an important role in meeting the emotional needs of clients.
The Nursing Assistant Program is an opportunity to learn skills and prepare for a career in the health care field with less than a one-year or one full semester commitment. If you have a desire to help people, are comfortable working closely with clients while providing personal care, are willing to accept delegated tasks, and to work as a member of a team, then a career as a nursing assistant may be for you. This field of work also serves as a stepping stone for advanced nursing or health care occupations.
The SWTC Nursing Assistant Program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, preparing the student to be successful in meeting state and federally regulated competencies as a nursing assistant. The graduating student is eligible to take the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program Exam, which includes both a written and skills exam.
Career Opportunities
There are many job openings for nursing assistants in Southwest Wisconsin as well as throughout the state. The nursing assistant performs basic nursing tasks under the supervision and direction of the registered nurse. Employment is found in nursing homes, hospitals and home health agencies. The Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Nursing Assistant Certificate is recognized by employing agencies in Southwest Wisconsin as excellent training for employment.
Is This Occupation for You?
Students entering the Nursing Assistant Program should:
- Have good reading skills.
- Be able to do physically taxing work.
- Be flexible and function as a nursing team member.
- Be willing to work with people who are ill and older adults.
- Be at least 16 years old by the time of program completion.
Program Outcomes
In order to successfully complete the program and to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) written and skills exam to be included on the Wisconsin Nurse Aid Registry, the student will:
- Practice within the legal/ethical role and responsibilities of a nursing assistant.
- Demonstrate productive work ethic in a clinical setting.
- Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively as a member of a healthcare team.
- Demonstrate effective communication practices.
- Identify client rights and how to protect them.
- Provide safe and correct personal care in a clinical setting.
- Perform basic nursing skills accurately.
- Demonstrate the ability to provide for mobility, positioning, and exercise needs for clients.
- Assist clients to maintain independence.
- Demonstrate the ability to provide care for a client with dementia.
Program Basics
- Technical diploma as a Basic Nursing Assistant after 120 hours of training.
- Nursing home clinical component only.
- Evening/weekend classes offered over ITV during the fall and spring semesters. Students must attend one lab session at Southwest Tech each week.
- Classes offered on part-time basis fall and spring.
- Classes offered full-time on campus in summer.
- Must attend program orientation session.
- Qualified in functional abilities for Nursing Assistant program.
- Must meet Caregiver Background Check requirement (cost of $12 paid by the student).
- Must have passing theory test average (78%) to be able to begin and continue clinical experience.
- Complete a physical exam, documentation of recent two-step TB skin test, and meet health requirements as approved by the College Health Educator. Students are responsible for ALL costs associated with meeting these requirements.
This program is not eligible for financial aid.
Please contact Student Services at 800.362.3322, Ext. 2354, or email student-services@swtc.edu for current fee information.
A Program Fee list is provided (please note the costs are approximate and based on the current academic year).
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