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Nursing Assistant Certified

Commonly referred to as CNAs, Nursing Assistants work directly with patients in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.

NACs are qualified to work under the direction of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses and assist in the care of clients in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Graduates learn to maintain a safe environment for the client, provide restorative care, and communicate with clients, and understand basic concepts of care.

NAC Pass Rates GraphicHigh Pass Rates on Certification Exams

The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission’s Nursing Assistant Program Approval Panel in April 2023 identified the Centralia College NAC program as one with pass rates above 80 percent for 2021 and 2022. CC’s pass rate was 88.9 percent in 2021 and 96 percent in 2022.

Included Certifications

  • Students will earn state credentials in specialty training courses Dementia, Mental Health, Nurse Delegation, and Special Focus on Diabetes.
  • Students will also receive their BLS credential through the co-requisite course.
  • Students will get their Nursing Assistant Registered credential while in the class.

Department of Health Credential Search

Program Length

The NAC program takes 10 weeks to complete. Students earn 12 credits and 168 hours.

nac class

Program Certification

This course is approved and certified by both the Washington State Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services. Upon successful completion of the Nursing Assistant Certified training program, students are eligible to take the National Nursing Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam and to become licensed in Washington State.

NAC Duties 

  • Turn and reposition bedridden clients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores
  • Answer clients call signals
  • Feed clients who are unable to feed themselves
  • Observe clients conditions, measuring and recording food and liquid intake and output, vital signs and report changes to professional staff
  • Provide clients with help walking, exercising, and moving in and out of bed
  • Bathe, groom, shave, dress, and/or drape clients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination
  • Collect specimens such as urine, feces, or sputum
  • Prepare, serve and collect food trays
  • Clean rooms and change linens

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the NAC program?

There is no application to enter this program. You do not need to attend academic advising and you do not need to take any placement tests, unless you are pursuing further education into the Registered Nursing (RN) program.

Once registration opens, you need to register for the class schedule that works best for you. Classes often fill up quickly after registration opens. Be sure that you are ready to register on the correct day and at the right time .

Are there any prerequisites?

There are no prerequisites for the NAC program.

Do I need a diploma or GED to take the program?

No, neither is required to enter the NAC program. However, it may help you be more competitive in the job market. 

The class I want to take is full. Can I be added to a wait list?

Yes, you can call the Career & Technical Education Office (360-623-8963) to be placed on an interest list. We call students on a first-come, first-served basis from the interest list if an opening occurs.
 
An opening may occur on the first day of class, so students need to be prepared to register, pay, and attend class the next day after being offered the opening. Students will not be added after the third class day.

Do you offer online classes?

No, we do not offer online classes for the NAC program. This program is a combined lecture and skills course, requiring students to be present in the classroom and learning lab. 

Will you help me find a job after I complete the program?

No, we do not offer job placement for our students, and we also do not have job placement rates for our students. However, some students do get hired at our clinical facilities. Many other facilities in the area express interest in our students. A job posting board is located in the Technology Center room 114.

Is financial aid available?

Students may qualify for one of our Workforce Funding tuition programs (Worker Retraining Program, Opportunity Grant, WorkFirst or BFET) that can pay for NAC. A student may qualify for NAC as part of an approved program that financial aid can fund.  Please contact financial aid with eligibility questions, ccfinancialaid@centralia.edu or 360-623-8975. 

What is the minimum age?

We do not recommend this program for anyone under the age of 17. Most nursing facilities only hire NACs who are 17-years old or older. 

How do I take the NAC certification tests after I graduate?

New Skills Test Registration Process

For graduates from approved Washington state Nursing Assistant training programs:

Step 1: Get a Credentia Candidate ID number. 

  • Create a Credentia365 account and verify your email address.
  • You need a Candidate ID number to:
    • Register for the skills test.
    • Register for the written (or oral) test.
    • Ensure your results are processed quickly.

Step 2: Register for the skills test.

Step 3: Register for the written (or oral) test AFTER you pass the skills test.

Step 4: Apply for your nursing assistant-certified (NAC) credential with the Department of Health (DOH), if you have not already done so.

Contact

Career & Technical Education
Tech (TEC) Building, Room 114
360-623-8963
cte@centralia.edu		 Lorri Speer
Program Director/Faculty
Office: SWFT Center
360-623-8619
Email Lorri Speer