Program Description
This course studies the role of the nursing assistant, which includes basic nursing skills, emergency procedures, and laws and regulations affecting nursing assistants. The course consists of classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences needed to become a nursing assistant. After completing this course, students are eligible to take the Washington State Certificate Exam, making them employable in many settings such as hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities (long term care and rehab), and assisted living facilities. To meet the hours of education required by the state, attendance for all classes and clinicals is mandatory. This program is approved by the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. Classes are held in the evenings for 6 weeks and there are also 40 required clinical hours which take place at clinical partner sites, generally over two weekends. There is a summer course that runs during the day for three consecutive weeks.
Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical sites. Hours of class and clinical will be between the hours of 6am to 9pm depending on the rotation. Clinical sites are in both Port Angeles and Sequim.
Program Length: 6-8 Weeks
Program Code: NAANAC01
Potential Positions and Earning
The Peninsula College Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) program is a state-approved training that consists of 54 hours of caregiving related academics and workplace skills, and 48 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
The responsibilities of this position involve significant physical activities including standing, lifting (up to 60 pounds unassisted), bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and twisting. All nursing home staff may be required to transfer residents, and will use lifting devices or work in teams for assisting resident/patient transfers.
For current employment and wage estimates, please visit and search for the relevant occupational term: bls.gov/oes.
Program Outcomes
When this program is completed, the student will be able to:
- Apply skills and knowledge of high quality nursing assistant care, as a member of a long term care professional team
- Articulate accurate objective medical information verbally and in writing to other professional team members
- Demonstrate proficient assistance to a wide variety of residents in a safe, clean environment
- Create a care environment that encourages independence, while maintaining dignity, for each resident in their care
- Demonstrate competence with care assistance, and decision making
- Identify potential hazards and infectious agents to help with facility safety
- Demonstrate an understanding of the health care system
- Identify the facility policies and procedures and adhere with high self-expectations and standards
- Identify healthy care practices for themselves and their families, using the new skills learned in care giving
Special Features
Upon successful completion of this course, student will be eligible to take the written and practical nursing assistant exam to become certified.
- Receive a certification of completion
- Receive a certification in Healthcare Provider CPR
- Eligibility to take the National Nursing Assistant Certification Exam (NACES). Students who receive their certification and successfully pass the NACES exam are eligible for licensure in the state of Washington as a NAC and employment in various health care facilities.
Entrance Requirements
There are no prerequisite courses for this program, although students must be able to read, write, understand, and speak the English language. Students must also be physically able to perform the duties of the Nursing Assistant. These duties include, but are not limited to: lifting, moving, and transporting patients.
Approximate Additional Costs
Current tuition and fees for Washington resident, non-resident, and international students can be found on Peninsula College’s web site at pencol.edu or by contacting the registration office. Rates may increase annually, effective fall quarter.
- Books: $45
- Malpractice insurance: $15.62
- First Aid: $25
- Required immunizations: varies depending on vaccination status and insurance coverage, estimated $0-$1000
- Equipment (scrubs and watch): $60
- Washington State Patrol background check (submitted with application) watch.wsp.wa.gov/WATCH/Home/Index: $12 (per name)
- Certification Testing and Fees: doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/nursing-assistant
- Testing: credentia.com/test-takers/wa
Required Vaccinations
- MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella): Proof of receiving 2 doses of MMR (Live) OR proof of immunity via lab titer to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.
- Varicella (Chicken Pox): Proof of receiving 2 doses of varicella OR proof of immunity via lab titer to Varicella.
- TB Testing: Negative TB test within the last 12 months by Quantiferon Gold or two-step skin test (full skin test twice, at least two weeks apart). If student has history of past positive TB test, student must have a negative chest X-ray within 12 months and a negative symptom screen completed.
- Flu Vaccination: Proof of influenza vaccination is required for students in fall and winter quarter.
- Covid-19 Vaccination: Proof of completed series at least two weeks prior to start of the quarter enrolled is required. Either of the two shot mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) series are strongly encouraged and preferred, but the one shot (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine will be accepted. Booster is not required at this time.
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) Vaccination: All students must have documentation of their adult booster dose.
- Hepatitis B: It is highly encouraged for students to have the 3 dose Hepatitis B series and documented immunity by titer.