Nursing Assistant

• Nursing Assistant Certificate

Program Description
Students will study basic nursing skills, including classroom and lab (nine weeks) and clinical (six weeks). Graduates are eligible to take the state certification exam.

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 state C.N.A. exam upon completion.

Special Requirements
Students are required to have a New Mexico driver’s license, a physical exam, PPD and current immunizations (including hepatitis B, MMR and TD). Students interested in certain Health, Wellness and Public Safety Division programs must be in good physical and psychological health. Some programs require 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. 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 for more information. Students are required to provide documentation from a licensed healthcare provider that they can safely lift a minimum of 50 lbs. prior to beginning their clinical experience.
Students may be required to undergo routine drug screening and a criminal background check 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  ttp://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/05%20Regular/final/HB0627.pdf). 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 $55 program fee covers the cost of the required apron (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.
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.

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 division at (505) 224-4111 for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Program information is available from the HWPS Division office, (505) 224-4111, or from Academic Advisement and Career Development at (505) 224-4321.