Nurse Aide

Program Overview

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Nurse Aide

Prepare for an entry-level healthcare career as a Nurse Aide (CNA).

Career Pathway

Healthcare

Related Programs

• Medication Aide
• Nursing
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Practical Nursing
• Workforce Development

Faculty Contact

Melanie Harlowe

Program

FastForward Credential Program

Program Information

Nurse aides play a vital role in the healthcare team and are in critical shortage in our community! Work alongside nurses and physicians in a variety of inpatient and outpatient care settings such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, medical offices, clinics and home settings. Instructional topics include quality resident care, personal care skills, basic nursing skills, applying nutrition and hydration, recognizing and preventing opioid and substance abuse, professional workplace behavior, ethics and the legal aspects of health care. Students gain hands-on experience in taking and documenting vital signs, infection control procedures and assisting with activities of daily living. Students must successfully complete a 40-hour offsite clinical experience to demonstrate skill competency.

Upon completion, students are eligible to apply to sit for the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) licensure exam offered by the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON).

Contact Hours: 164

Admissions Requirements

• Meet minimum essential functions and standards for program.
• Be at least 18 years of age on the first day of class.
• Attend a coaching appointment and/or information session prior to enrollment.
• Acceptable criminal background check and drug screen prior to clinical. Proof of immunizations and physical exam may be required depending on clinical site.
• Complete all funding assistance paperwork (if applicable) prior to enrollment.
• English Language Learners (ELL/ESL): If English is not the first language, prospective students must complete a CASAS assessment with acceptable score prior to program admission.

Job Duties for Nurse Aides

• Provide direct patient care under the supervision of a nurse
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and routine hygiene care
• Obtain and record vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature)
• Obtain and report changes in patient condition
• Support admission and discharge processes

Nurse Aides may also be called nursing assistants, nursing care partners and patient care assistants.

Employment Outlook for Nurse Aides

Graduates who have achieved licensure upon completion of this program have found employment in hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies. Top employers of nurse aides in our community include:

• UVA Health
• Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
• Commonwealth Senior Living
• Martha Jefferson House
• The Blake Senior Living
• Consulate Healthcare
• Augusta Health
• Commonwise Home Care
• Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge
• Albemarle Health & Rehabilitation Center
• Charlottesville Health & Rehabilitation Center

Nationally, overall employment of nurse aides is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030.

Earning Potential & Career Progression for Nurse Aides

The local median wage for Nurse Aides is $30,170 per year (full-time salaried with benefits) or $14.51-$15.05 for hourly employment.

The college offers additional healthcare programs for career advancement for Nurse Aides. The next step would include Medication Aide for those who wish to work in assisted living or home healthcare agencies. For those who wish to work in hospitals or physician's offices, the next step may be Phlebotomy or Clinical Medical Assistant.

Program Outline

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Nurse Aide Program at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC)

This program is part of the G3 initiative, making it potentially eligible for free tuition, fees, and books for qualified students.

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Objectives

• Prepare students to provide quality resident care in various healthcare settings.

• Develop students' proficiency in personal care skills, basic nursing skills, nutrition and hydration, opioid and substance abuse recognition and prevention, professional workplace behavior, ethics, and legal aspects of healthcare.

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Program Description

The Nurse Aide program at PVCC is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this rewarding healthcare career. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience. The program is approved by the VBON and exceeds the minimum required 140 contact hours, including additional hours for learner support, skills practice, and workplace readiness instruction. The tuition covers the costs of various essential elements, including a criminal background check, drug screen, TB test, BLS-CPR training and certification, two sets of scrubs, a stethoscope, and a blood pressure cuff.

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Outline

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Program Content

The Nurse Aide program curriculum covers various essential topics, including:

• Quality Resident Care: This module focuses on providing compassionate and person-centered care to residents in various healthcare settings.
• Personal Care Skills: Students learn essential skills such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting residents.
• Basic Nursing Skills: This module covers fundamental nursing skills like taking vital signs, measuring and recording intake and output, assisting with ambulation, and performing range-of-motion exercises.
• Opioid and Substance Abuse Recognition and Prevention: This module focuses on identifying signs and symptoms of opioid and substance abuse and implementing strategies to prevent and manage these issues.
• Professional Workplace Behavior, Ethics, and Legal Aspects of Healthcare: Students learn about professional ethics, legal responsibilities, and the importance of maintaining a safe and ethical work environment.
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Students learn how to assist residents with various ADLs, such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, and transferring.

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Program Structure

The program consists of:

• Classroom Instruction: Students receive instruction in a classroom setting through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities.
• Clinical Experience: Students gain practical experience in real-world healthcare settings under the supervision of experienced healthcare professionals.
This includes a mandatory 40-hour off-site clinical experience.

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Course Schedule

The specific course schedule for the Nurse Aide program may vary depending on the semester.

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Modules

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Please note:

The specific modules and their descriptions may vary slightly depending on the program offering.

• Module 1: Introduction to Nurse Aide (55 hours)
• Overview of the role of a Nurse Aide
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional ethics and legal aspects of healthcare
• Infection control procedures
• Safety and emergency procedures
• Module 2: Personal Care Skills (45 hours)
• Bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting residents
• Assisting with ambulation and transfers
• Range-of-motion exercises
• Skin care and wound care
• Nutrition and hydration
• Module 3: Basic Nursing Skills (44 hours)
• Taking vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature)
• Measuring and recording intake and output
• Assisting with medications
• Documentation and reporting
• Module 4: Clinical Experience (40 hours)
• Supervised hands-on experience in a healthcare setting
• Applying learned skills in a real-world environment
• Demonstrating competency in direct patient care

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Assessment

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Assessment Methods

• Classroom assessments: These may include quizzes, exams, assignments, and projects designed to evaluate students' understanding of the theoretical concepts covered in the program.
• Clinical performance evaluations: Students' clinical skills and abilities are assessed throughout the clinical experience by qualified healthcare professionals.

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Assessment Criteria

Students are assessed based on their ability to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the course content
• Apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations
• Perform clinical skills competently and safely
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members
• Maintain professional behavior and ethics

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Teaching

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Teaching Methods

The Nurse Aide program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles. These methods may include:

• Interactive lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.
• Hands-on activities: Practical exercises that allow students to apply their knowledge and develop essential skills.
• Case studies: Analyzing real-world scenarios to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Group work: Collaborative projects and assignments to enhance teamwork and communication skills.
• Clinical supervision: Close guidance and support from experienced healthcare professionals during the clinical experience.

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Faculty

The Nurse Aide program is taught by qualified faculty with extensive experience in healthcare and education. The faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality learning experience and preparing them for success in the field.

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Unique Approaches

• The program emphasizes hands-on learning through extensive clinical experience.
• The program provides students with support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and financial aid assistance.
• The program collaborates with local healthcare facilities to ensure students gain experience in diverse clinical settings.

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Careers

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Career Paths

Graduates of the Nurse Aide program can pursue various career paths in healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Home health agencies
• Assisted living facilities
• Hospice care
• Long-term care facilities

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Career Opportunities

Nurse Aides perform essential tasks under the supervision of nurses and physicians. Their responsibilities may include:

• Providing direct patient care
• Assisting patients with ADLs
• Taking vital signs
• Obtaining and reporting changes in patient condition
• Supporting admission and discharge processes

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Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Nurse Aide program at PVCC have a high success rate in gaining employment in the field.