Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)

On this page

• Career Opportunities
• Prerequisites
• Advising
• Certificate of Completion
• Admission into the Program
• Information Sesssions
• Fees
• Application

Certified nursing assistants have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide daily care to adult residents, patients, and clients who are unable to care for themselves. This includes assistance with basic care skills such as grooming, bathing, and feeding. Giving both social and emotional support is a large part of the job, in addition to being familiar with resident rights, the legal aspects of care, death and dying, dementia care, and communication skills necessary to function with confidence in a healthcare team.

Certification can be used as a stepping stone into nursing or other healthcare professions.

This program prepares students for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) Examination for OBRA Nursing Assistant Registry and Certification in Washington State.  Our program is an Approved Washington State Nursing Assistant, Certified Program.

Our NAC program includes on-campus, classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as supervised clinical practice in local hospital and long-term care facilities. Learning experiences focus on developing beginning confidence related to nursing assistant care skills and/or preparing students for careers in nursing or other healthcare fields.

Career Opportunities

Certified nursing assistants go by many names: orderlies, nurses’ aides, home health aides, patient care technicians. They typically work under the supervision of a registered nurse to provide assistance to patients with daily living tasks. Long-term care facilities are constantly in need of certified nursing assistants that can demonstrate improved quality-of-care for their clients.

Entry-level positions currently earn between $19,925 and $29,764 (according to www.PayScale.com). Certified nursing assistants with years of experience receive top salaries averaging $35,377. Places of employment include nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, mental health facilities, and private residences. Job prospects are considered excellent because of the increasing long-term care needs of an aging population.

Prerequisites

• Proof of placement by assessment into ENGL& 101 (previous ENGL 101) or permission of instructor
• Attendance at NAC Information Session to pick up application packet
• Completion of NAC Application for Admission packet
• Group or individual interview with Program Coordinator
• Completion of Certified National Background Check (www.CertifiedBackground.com)
• Copy of current CPR Card
• Completion of HSEWI Immunization Status Record

Advising

For advising questions please e-mail Jo-Ann Gazdik at joann.gazdik@bellevuecollege.edu or call 425-564-5604. Be sure to give your name and phone number. An advisor should call you within 2-3 days (depending on call volume).

Certificate of Completion

This certificate can be completed in one quarter. It prepares participants for the NNAAP Examination for OBRA Nursing Assistant Registry and Certification in Washington State.   

Admission into the Program

Admission is by permission only of the Program Coordinator after completion of a NAC Application for Admission that can be obtained from one of several Information Sessions offered each quarter. Notification of acceptance is on a first-come first-served basis via phone or e-mail from the Program Coordinator.

Information Sessions

Attendance at one of our information sessions is required to obtain an application. The next monthly Information Session for spring quarter admission will be held on:

• Wednesday, December 2nd, 5pm to 7pm in Room B228

Information Session dates and times are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts.

Fees

• Application fee: $60.00 to reserve your seat after notification of acceptance; non-refundable
• Tuition: $890.00 due 10 days before start of quarter; if not received, your seat will be offered to the next applicant awaiting acceptance notification.

How to Pay

• Pay over the phone: to Theresa Molloy (425-564-2013) with credit card (Visa or Master Card only), or…
• Pay in person at Health Sciences, Education & Wellness Institute office (R130) with:
  • credit card (Visa or Master Card only)
  • personal check (made out to “Bellevue College”);
• If you don't have a Bellevue College student ID number, you must provide your social security number to complete payment process.

Application

Program applications are only available through an Information Session. Please see the Information Session schedule listed above for ongoing dates and times.