Application Packet

Possible TB Test Locations

The Certified Nursing Assistant is a very important member of the health care team and can work in a variety of settings, including: acute hospital care, long-term care, rehabilitation, assisted living, adult day care, respite services, home health, hospice and many others. The CNA works directly with patients providing for their physical and emotional needs.

Caring for patients requires a great deal of understanding and self-confidence. The most successful nursing assistants are sensitive, mature, patient, dependable, and have a positive attitude.

Course Description for HLTH 1200:  Long-Term Care/CNA

The course is designed to meet the Nebraska Department of Health training requirements for nursing assistant certification and employment in long term care facilities. The course combines classroom lecture, laboratory application and clinical experience for the development of basic skills needed to care for the elderly. Course content will focus on teaching the nursing assistant to provide safe, effective, and caring services to the elderly or chronically ill patient of any age, in a long term care facility.

Major course requirements for certified nursing assistant

The Nursing Assistant course is 6.5 credit hours in length and is designed to meet the Nebraska Department of Health training requirements for nursing assistant certification and employment in long term care facilities. Daily attendance is necessary to successfully complete the course.

Course content will focus on teaching the nursing assistant skills to provide safe, effective, and caring services to the elderly or chronically ill client of any age, in a long term care facility.

Successful completion of the course requires passing the state exam, which is administered as part of the course. After a Nebraska resident passes the exam, their registry information is posted on the Nebraska Health and Human Services license verification system. (Non-Nebraska residents should talk to their instructor regarding requirements for the state in which they live.) This process does take several business days to complete.

Career and Program Facts

Overall employment of nursing and home health aides is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012, although individual occupational growth rates will vary. Employment of home health aides is expected to grow the fastest, as a result of both growing demand for home healthcare services from an aging population and efforts to contain healthcare costs by moving patients out of hospitals and nursing care facilities as quickly as possible. Consumer preference for care in the home and improvements in medical technologies for in-home treatment also will contribute to faster-than-average employment growth for home health aides.  (Source - U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook)

The job opportunities for nursing assistants remain excellent. Delivery of health services to a wide range of people and increases in starting salaries have contributed to positive growth for nursing assistants.

Specializations for Certified Nursing Assistants

Students interested in this specialization must be a current CNA. The following training will be offered each academic year.

Medication Aide: This program provides the CNA with the training to pass medications. The course is designed to meet the Nebraska Department of Health training requirements for medication aide certification. (See information below.)

Is a career as a nursing assistant for you?

A Nursing Assistant must:

• possess the functional use of the senses, of sight, hearing, and touch.
• possess a sense of equilibrium along with sufficient motor function to carry out activities required in the clinical practice of nursing assistant.
• be able to do moderate lifting.
• be sensitive to the physical and psychological needs of others in their environments.
• have the ability to relate to a variety of people.

Extra costs, tools, and equipment

The Nursing Assistant textbook and workbook is not included in tuition. The textbook and workbook are available in the Bookstore. The cost is approximately $55.00.

White clothing and white shoes are required for the clinical portion of class. A watch with a second hand is needed the first day of class.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CNA COURSE

Application Deadline :  ONGOING

• Submit a completed application form
• Provide proof of a current (within the past 12 month period) Mantoux PPD Skin Test (Tuberculosis Test)
• Provide evidence of preparation in English writing and reading skills for 1000-level courses through assessment testing or completion of comparable coursework (completed at Metro or other college). For example, completion of ENGL 0960 and/or RDLS 0100 or completion of college level course work
• Submit a completed background check form

Submit Application Materials

Metro Community College
Health and Public Services
SOC, Mahoney Building, Room 519
PO Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103

Assessment Services (testing)

The following assessment services are available:

• Basic Skills Assessment (assesses reading and writing skills)
• Assessment appointments can be made at the following locations:

ESL Assessment (assesses language skills for people for whom English is a second language)

If English is your second language, you will need to meet with an advisor or counselor in Student Services prior to being assessed. Please call for an advising appointment:

SELECTION CRITERIA AND REGISTRATION PROCESS

Students completing minimum requirements will be admitted in the order of completion and submission of all application materials. Registration is completed through the Health and Public Services office . Students will not be registered into a class or placed on a wait list unless all four pieces of the application process are met.

FINANCIAL AID

For questions concerning Financial Aid please contact the Financial Aid office at
402-457-2330.