LNA – Licensed Nursing Assistant

RVCC’s Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

This program is a starting point for a rewarding career in healthcare. This is a fast-paced, hands-on program that combines classroom instruction, lab skills, and clinical practice.

LNAs are in great demand today and demand is forecasted to grow between 10 and 25% in the next five years. In addition, many LNAs use the knowledge and experience they have gained working in healthcare to gain entrance into competitive LPN and RN degree programs.

Upon successfully completing the course, students will be prepared to sit for the state certification examination and submit their Board of Nursing LNA license application.

This brief YouTube video explains more about what LNAs do and about the program at RVCC: 4 Minute Info Session. 

RVCC offers two pathways to completing the LNA certificate program. Each has its own application and admission process.

Apply Directly to RVCC

If you apply directly to RVCC, you pay your tuition and fees and you may elect to work for any employer or pursue further education in the field upon completion. Applying to RVCC directly is a multi-step process:

1. Complete this application. Click here to do that now.
2. Demonstrate English comprehension and Math proficiency. You may do this either by taking a short assessment test on-site at RVCC and pass with a score of 70% or better OR by submitting results of the TEAS showing that you achieved of 55% or better on the English Language and Usage portion and 60% or better on the Math portion. To make an appointment to take the assessment at any of the RVCC campuses, call 603-443-4200.
3. Register with Castle Branch. RVCC has contracted with them to do the required criminal background check, provide information on the required drug screening, and help you coordinate submission of proof that you have completed a physical, have health insurance, and have your necessary immunizations and vaccinations up-to-date. You may register with them here: choose the Nursing Assistant IU68 package. The cost of this package is $167, which you must pay at the time you register. Note: it will take 3-4 weeks for all of this to be completed, so we encourage you to register with Castle Branch just as soon as you have completed step 1 and 2 to ensure that there is no delay in your enrollment.
4. Provide a current certification in AHA Basic Life Support CPR. RVCC holds Basic Life Support CPR courses throughout the year at our Claremont campus. Click here to check on upcoming RVCC classes.  Otherwise, you may click here for other CPR class options.

Apply to the Paid Training Program at Dartmouth Health

If you apply to the paid training program at Dartmouth Health, you proceed through their selection process. If selected, you are hired as their employee and you complete the program at no cost to you; upon completion and receipt of your license, you will be offered a full-time Licensed Nurse Assistant position within one of their inpatient units. Click here for more information about the process of applying to the paid training program

We offer the LNA program at each of our campuses — Claremont, Keene, and Lebanon — on a rotating schedule throughout the year. Sessions are added according to student demand and instructor availability, so contact us if you do not see a session that works with your schedule. 

We are now accepting applications for the following sessions:

Claremont

Early Fall Session 2022

• Direct admission only (no paid training option).
• September 6-October 18. 
• Daytime schedule.
  • 12 Theory & Skills Classes (10.30a-4.30p)
  • 6 Clinical Sessions (Tu-We, 6.45a-5.15p)
  • 1 Review Day (10.30a-4.30p)
  • Final Certification Exam (TBD, usually 8a-12p)

Keene
No current session.

Lebanon

Mid Fall Session 2022

• Both direct admission and paid training admission. Those admitted through the paid training option are given preference.
• September 26-November 1
• Evening/Weekend Schedule (with exception of certification exam):
  • 8 theory classes (4p-9:30p)
  • 4 skills classes (3p-9:30p)
  • 6 clinical sessions (6:45a- 5:15p – usually Sa/Su for three consecutive weekends)
  • 1 review day (3-9:30 p.m.) 
  • Final certification exam (TBD, usually 8a-12p)

Late Fall Session 2022

• Both direct admission and paid training admission. Those admitted through the paid training option are given preference.
• November 14-December 20
• Evening/Weekend Schedule (with exception of certification exam):
  • 8 theory classes (4p-9:30p)
  • 4 skills classes (3p-9:30p)
  • 6 clinical sessions (6:45a- 5:15p – usually Sa/Su for three consecutive weekends)
  • 1 review day (3-9:30 p.m.) 
  • Final certification exam (TBD, usually 8a-12p)

If you are admitted through our direct enrollment path, then you pay your costs. We have listed the total costs of the program below along with sources of financial aid. 

If you are admitted through the paid training program at Dartmouth Health, then you complete the program at no cost to you. Click here for more information about the process of applying to the paid training program.

Costs

Pre-Enrollment:

• Castle Branch Fees: $167
• BPS CPR Certification Course: $70-100 (if needed)
• Physical Exam: variable (if needed)
• Additional Immunizations/Vaccinations: variable (if needed)

Tuition, Books & Supplies: 

• Tuition: $1900
• Textbooks: $65-$75
• Black Scrubs: $35

• Live Scan Fingerprints – $48.25
• Skills and Written Test (Certification Exam) – $200
• NH Board of Nursing, Nursing Assistant License Fee – $35

Sources of Financial Aid

There are opportunities to obtain financial aid to cover the costs of tuition and books for the LNA program. Here are a few to look into:

Through RVCC:

• Covid-19 Relief Funds
• Scholarships (you will have to create an Award Spring account to apply for these scholarships)

Other Sources:

• NH Charitable Foundation

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Actively participate in theoretical and clinical experiences, under the supervision of a licensed nurse, assisting care-recipients with nursing-related activities in the following areas:
  • Personal hygiene including bathing, grooming, and dressing
  • Ambulation and movement including range of motion, turning, positioning, and transferring
  • Nutrition and elimination including feeding and hydration, toileting, bowel and bladder training
  • Environmental and personal safety involving housekeeping concerns, adaptive devices, and special clothing
  • Emotional support including appropriate responses and techniques used with the cognitively impaired and demented, the aging process, identification of resources, preservation of dignity, and assuring freedom from fear and reprisal
  • Comfort, rest, and activities including privacy, physical and occupational skills
  • Emergency situations including appropriateness of action or non-action, fire drills, security of the environment, and resources available
• Describe the role of the nursing assistant within the health care system and the qualities required for successful integration into the work force
• Recognize pathological, physical, psychological, social, cultural and religious influences related to the life cycle and the aging process
• Identify End of Life issues
• Record abnormalities in behavior or bodily functions
• Identify hazardous conditions in the environment
• Apply a holistic approach to care throughout the lifespan
• Explain the legal, ethical and moral issues involved in providing nursing-related activities
• Value a care-recipients’ rights, dignity and confidentiality
• Prepare clients to attain and maintain functional independence in the health care facility or at home
• Demonstrate various communication skills that will enhance relationships with patients and with other health care team members to promote accuracy and to protect confidentiality concerning clients’ health, safety, welfare, physical and mental conditions, and general well-being
• Practice emergency, safety and infection control procedures in the clinical area
• List and identify medical terms and abbreviations necessary for the LNA to communicate effectively verbally and in charting
• Demonstrate understanding of the clients’ emotional, social and physical health needs through skillful, direct nursing related activities

Note: The term “client” is synonymous with patient, resident, or recipient depending on the setting of care.

Job Opportunities

Upon completion of the Licensed Nursing Assistant Program, students are qualified to sit for the Credentialing License Examinations. The program has full approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing and national accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates may obtain employment in a variety of different settings including (but not limited to):

• Hospitals
• Nursing and Home HealthCare Facilities
• Government Assisted Living Facilities
• Retirement Communities

Career Outlook

Annual Salary:                     $27,200 – $36,200

Average Hourly:                          $13 – $16

Job Growth:                                 10 – 25%

Projected Growth:       Much faster than average