Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Program Description
This program is designed to prepare you for the State of Florida’s certification exam to become a nursing assistant and to secure employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Graduates of this program will be able to assist in patient care in accordance with section 400.506(6)(b) of the Regulations of the State of Florida including but not limited to observing, documenting, and reporting changes in patient condition, assisting with elimination, nutrition, transferring, positioning, and other activities of daily living.
| Program Length | Total Contact Hours | ||||
| Clock Hours | 120 | Theory Hours | 50 | ||
| Weeks | 6 | Lab Hours | 30 | ||
| Clinical Hours | 40 | ||||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||||
| Course|Number | Course Title | Theory|Hours | Lab|Hours | Clinical|Hours |
| HCW 101 | Medical Terminolgy | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| HCW 110 | Basic Healthcare Worker I | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| HCW 120 | Basic Nursing Laboratory Skills and Clinical Experience I | 0 | 15 | 20 |
| HCW 210 | Basic Healthcare Worker II | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| HCW 220 | Basic Nursing Laboratory Skills and Clinical Experience II | 0 | 15 | 20 |
| Total Contact Hours | 50 | 30 | 40 |
**Completion of HCW 101, 110, 120, 210, and 220 entitles the student to submission to the Florida Board of Nursing as a candidate for the Nursing Assistant certification.**
Qualified Florida Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) who hold a valid credential and wish to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may apply for the Transition to Practical Nursing which provides the opportunity to receive advanced standing in the LPN program.
To qualify, the following admission criteria must be met:
- GED or high school diploma.
- Passing score of at least 70 on the in-house entrance exam administered by the school just to make sure that the student can read and write English.
- Transcripts of previous education as required for point of program admission.
- Proof of routine immunizations with current titers and vaccination including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, varicella, influenza, and hepatitis B.
- Level 2 state and federal criminal background check.
- Completed DIOT application.
- Completed enrollment agreement.
- Government-issued proof of identification.
Students satisfying all admission criteria will be admitted into PN 100 Transition to Practical Nursing course. Upon successful completion of PN 100 with a grade of 75 or higher, the student will be awarded 120 hours for HWC courses.
The CNA program exposes students to the fundamentals of nursing and provides them with the tools necessary to perform a variety of tasks as an entry-level member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
The program is designed for students who have completed high school or equivalent. The course includes didactic and clinical instruction in the following subject areas: anatomy and physiology, basic nursing skills, pharmacology, medical terminology, nutrition, infection control, health promotion and disease prevention; psychiatric/mental health care; physical assessment; maternal-child nursing care; gerontological nursing care; pediatric nursing care; obstetrics/gynecology; administration of medication.
The course is designed to provide a broad overview of the profession with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Students will gain experience in all aspects of patient assessment including vital signs, neurological status examination, cardiopulmonary status examination and other diagnostic procedures such as phlebotomy.
The nursing assistant course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to work.