National Park Community College Nursing Assistant Program

Program Statement

The Office of Long-Term Care approves the Nursing Assistant Program. Graduates are eligible to take the Written and Skills Assessment Exams for certification. Graduates should be aware that violation of any federal, state, or local drug law or conviction of a crime may prohibit the student from entering a clinical agency to care for clients. Background checks will be completed as a condition for admissions. In addition, clinical facilities also may require a substance abuse test as a condition of clinical practice in the respective facility. Inability to complete the clinical course because of failure to meet these requirements will result in course failure. The Office of Long-Term Care may be contacted at:

Benefits of the Nursing Assistant Program

The Nursing Assistant program is ideal for the person who thinks he/she might want to enter a career in the healthcare field without having to invest the time and money of becoming a Licensed Professional Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). It can be the first step on the career ladder leading to higher levels of nursing care. It is also perfect for the student who plans on attending the LPN or RN program, but desires to enter the workforce in their field of study and earn money while attending school.

Job Specific Skills

The functions and job responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant are:

• Knowledge of uncomplicated nursing procedures and ability to assist LPNs and RNs in direct client care
• Principles of communication and effective interaction
• Sensitivity to clients’ emotional, social, and mental health needs
• Strategies to assist clients to maintain functional independence
• Observational and documentation skills

Admission Requirements

Students may be admitted to the Nursing Assistant Program (NA) every semester. No pre-requisite courses are required; however, students who wish to be considered for enrollment must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Fulfill all college admission requirements as follows:
1. Complete on online application to NPCC: https://express.npcc.edu/admap/admapp.html
2. Submit official high school transcript documenting graduation from high school or official Arkansas High School Diploma/GED certificate to the Nursing Office.
• Provide SAT, ACT, COMPASS, or TABE test scores taken within the last 4 years that meet the requirements for entry into Reading II. COMPASS tests are provided in the NPCC Testing Center at no charge. The Testing Center is located in the Counseling Center on the second floor of the Gerald Fisher Campus Center and the phone number is 501-760-4376. NOTE: If you have already attended college, this testing requirement is not necessary; however, an unofficial copy of your college transcript(s) is/are required for the Nursing Assistant Program.
• Submit a completed nursing assistant application - Nursing Assistant Application
• Complete a Criminal History Consent Form provided by the Nursing Assistant Program as background checks are a condition for admission. Graduates should be aware that violation of any federal, state, or local law or conviction of a crime may prohibit the student from entering a clinical agency to care for residents/clients.
• Students who meet the above criteria are accepted into the program and will be automatically enrolled in the courses, in the order of file completion.

Nursing Assistant Curriculum/Certificate of Proficiency

The Nursing Assistant program is 10 credit hours designed to be completed in only one semester, either fall, spring or summer sessions. The number of weeks vary depending on the semester and design of the course. Generally, students will spend approximately 100 hours in the classroom and around 120 hours in clinical settings administering patient/resident care. Clinical experiences occur in long-term care and in hospital settings and are designed to promote the graduate’s confidence in the health care setting.

In order to obtain the necessary skills to be eligible to take the state certification exam to become a “Certified” Nursing Assistant, the successful completion of the following two courses are required in the order below:

NA 1137: This course consists of content theory/lab without a clinical component. It provides knowledge and skills for individuals to successfully complete state certification requirements and provide quality care to clients in both long-term and acute care settings.

NA 1133: This clinical course provides opportunity to engage in clinical learning experiences while giving direct care to clients. Emphasis is placed on clinical competence of basic nursing assistant skills. Clinical hours may vary.

Enrollment Process

Upon acceptance and prior to enrolling in Nursing Assistant courses, the student must provide the following documents:

1. 1. Signed Responsibility forms (provided by the Nursing Assistant Program)
2. 2. Completed Data Health Form which includes proof of immunization compliance including the following:
• Current MMR, if born after 1957
• Initiation of Hepatitis B series or signature on declination statement
• Proof of TB skin test within the last year
3. 3. Signed Promotional Permission form
4. 4. Signed Substance Abuse Policy Release form

No late enrollment is allowed. Students are expected to furnish their own transportation to school and to and from the clinical area.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

All students are required to have professional liability insurance.
Registration fees for NA 1133 will include a fee that will provide this insurance.

Estimated Costs for Nursing Assistant Program