Nursing Assistant
NURSING ASSISTANT
School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety
• Nursing Assistant Certificate
Program Description
The Nursing Assistant program is a full time course of study with theory, lab (nine weeks) and clinical components (six weeks). The program has an expanded curriculum which includes anatomy and physiology, communication and applied math skills. For those students with previous health care knowledge and work experience, please consider the NAHA course (click here). Students will study basic patient care skills in relationship to both acute care and long term care. Lab experiences focus on personal care, vital signs, and mobility skills. Students are required to actively participate in hands-on experiences during lab. Students will perform basic patient care skills on peers in the role of nursing assistant and receive hands-on care in the role of patient. Clinical experiences include 2 weeks hospital, 2 weeks long term care, and 2 weeks home health care/preseptorship. This course is web-enhanced and requires a CNM student blackboard account. The program provides certifications in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP), First Aid and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This program is offered Fall and Spring Terms only.
Graduates are eligible to take the New Mexico State certification exam.
The Nursing Assistant Program meets the Basic Patient Care Skills requirement for students to enter Nursing Clinicals.
Career and Advancement Opportunities
One hundred percent of the graduates from the Nursing Assistant Program obtained jobs. Jobs are available in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and in private homes. Students are eligible to take the New Mexico State CNA exam upon program completion.
Students requiring New Mexico State Certification testing information may contact Prometric at 866-391-1945 or www.prometric.com/NurseAide/NM. The next CNA exam testing dates are 4/29/09, 4/30/09, 5/23/09, 06/06/09, 06/20/09 and 7/11/09. Testing site will be at CNM South Valley Campus, Middle Building, Room SV35 located at 5816 Isleta Blvd., SW, Albuquerque, NM.
Students may contact New Mexico Health, Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau (505) 476-9040 or email: nar@state.nm.us for NA Certification and Re certification information.
Special Requirements
Students are required to have a New Mexico driver’s license, and a Social Security number. Students interested in certain Health, Wellness and Public Safety Division programs must be in good physical and psychological health. The NA program requires documentation of a recent health screening from a licensed healthcare provider confirming the ability to safely perform program specific activities and lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Students are required to have an annual PPD and current immunizations (including hepatitis B, MMR and TD- Physical Form / Latex Allergy Form) Reasonable accommodations are made for those students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with a disability that may interfere with completing program competencies, which may include providing safe patient care, are advised to contact the HWPS Division Office at (505) 224-4111 or Student Special Services at 224-3259 for more information.
Students are required to undergo routine drug screening and a criminal background check with fingerprints prior to beginning their clinical experience. Students with a criminal background may have limited employment opportunities in healthcare and public service. Those who have a felony conviction should refer to the relevant New Mexico legislation (NMSA, Section 29-17-5 for healthcare employees available at http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/05%20Regular/final). Students with a disqualifying felony conviction will not be allowed to remain in the program. Students should also contact appropriate credentialing or licensing agencies and local or regional industry for hiring and employment practices. Contact the HWPS Division Office at (505) 224-4111 for more information. A $164.00 program fee covers the cost of the background check, drug screening, scrub tops (2), name tag, stethoscope, health test, CNA pin, hospital parking permits, transfer belt and preventive lab tests in case of needlestick or other exposure to bodily fluids. The student must provide a watch with a second hand, uniform slacks, shirt and shoes.
NA Course Prerequisites: Accuplacer minimum scores in writing of 69, mathematics score of 57, and reading score of 69.
All Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division career and technical courses required for graduation must be taken for a traditional grade of A, B or C. For Health, Wellness & Public Safety career and technical courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned. To receive credit in the NA Program, a grade of 75% or greater must be obtained.
Graduation Policy
Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division students must graduate under the current catalog.
Pre- and corequisites are listed in course descriptions and are subject to change with each new catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to meet the pre- and/or corequisites in effect for the term in which a course is taken, regardless of the catalog under which the student entered or will graduate. Students may be stopped from enrolling or may be disenrolled if pre- or corequisites are not met.
Students who have successfully completed courses that no longer exist from previous catalogs will be accommodated. Contact the HWPS Division office at (505) 224-4111 for more information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Program information is available from the HWPS Division office at (505) 224-4111, or from Academic Advisement and Career Development at (505) 224-4321.
