Nursing Assistant Certificate

(Evening/Weekend Program) Nursing Assistant Information Sessions with nursing faculty are a required step in the application process. Please click here for dates and times.

The Nursing Assistant Program prepares individuals for employment as an interdisciplinary team member within health care agencies such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory care or home settings. Graduates of this program will be able to: (1) provide assistance with activities of daily living to patients in either acute care or long-term care facilities; (2) communicate effectively with others; (3) document, in the medical record, findings related to the patient's well-being; (4) apply knowledge of legal and ethical principles when performing nursing related activities; (5) function as an effective team member within the role of the nursing assistant; and, (6) perform safe nursing related activities under the supervision of a registered or licensed practical nurse.

To ensure safety and well being of others, students are expected to demonstrate honesty, maturity, emotional stability and ethical behavior during these experiences. The program evaluates clinical and ethical competence in all learning experiences. Students are assigned to clinical experiences with nursing faculty supervision and demonstrate competency and confidence in nursing assistant skilles. Students must show evidence of a current CPR (health care provider level) training, medical insurance, current TB screening, MMR and hepatitis B status prior to clinical assignment. Health requirements may change. Current information can be obtained from the nursing department. Matriculation into the Nursing Assistant or Professional Arts Certificate Program is encouraged. Students in certificate programs may be eligible for financial aid and are offered early registration with choice of course scheduling. If program is scheduled as a part time option, the completion of the course may take longer than 8 weeks.

Successful completion of NURC101 Fundamental Skills for Nursing Assistants and NURC103 Practical Nursing Bridge Course may allow the transfer of six semester credits into the Practical Nursing Diploma program.

Admission criteria:

• General requirements as listed in the NHCTC college catalog;
• Two letters of reference, submitted on forms provided by the College;
• Information session with faculty member is required;
• Acceptable performance on the Accuplacer Assessment;
• Ability to lift and move at least 40 pounds on a regular basis (in relation to performing nursing assistant job related activities);
• Demonstrate manual dexterity and motor coordination to perform nursing assistant job related activities;

After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take a standardized test acceptable to the NH Board of Nursing and may seek licensure as a nursing assistant. Graduates of this program may also seek admission into other allied health and nursing programs offered at the Claremont campus and receive credits toward diploma or degree requirements. Nurse Assistant Certificate students can also apply to the Diploma of Arts major. NH Law requires that applicants for a license to practice as an LPN in NH must send a criminal conviction report to the NH Board of Nursing prior to issuing a license.

This certificate program holds full approval by the New Hampshire State Board of Nursing. The course is 144 hours and can be completed in 12 weeks in a part-time schedule. The course is offered in fall and spring semesters. The College reserves the right to cancel the course offering when enrollment is not sufficient.
For more information about this program, please contact Arlene Halsted, Program Coordinator. 603-542-7744x2739.