This one year program emphasizes the study of nursing occupations as related to the health care system. Students study normal growth and development, simple body structure and function, and medical terminology and are introduced to microbes and disease. They receive skill training in patient-nursing assistant relationships; taking and recording of vital signs; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and bathing, feeding, dressing, and transporting of patients in rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. Supervised on-the-job clinical instruction is nursing homes is part of this course. This course can be used as an introduction to the nursing field and develop the skills necessary to sit for the Certified Nurse Aide assessment.

*To be eligible to take the Certified Nurse Aide assessment, students must pass all Nurse Aide competencies and provide a government-issued form of identification. The State Board of Nursing also requires students to participate in clinical experiences, which requires passing a criminal background check.

This program is offered as Honors credit with the expectation that students complete four projects throughout the year that extend beyond the standard curriculum. These projects are built into the program and are a great opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of the topics covered in class.