In 2022, 96 percent of Centralia College nursing assistant graduates passed their state certification exams, according to a news release from the college.
Nursing assistants are in high demand in Lewis County and across the state, and Centralia College is making it possible for students to get trained, certified and get to work quickly, the college stated in the release.
Centralia College’s nursing assistant program is one of the best programs in the state. In 2022, 96 percent of Centralia College’s nursing assistant graduates passed their state certification exams, a pass rate that earned special recognition recently from the state Department of Health.
Commonly referred to as CNAs or NACs, nursing assistants work under the direction of nurses and assist in the care of patients in hospitals, in home care, adult family homes, assisted living, memory care units and skilled care facilities.
Centralia College’s nursing assistant program can be completed in one quarter. New cohorts begin every September, January, April and July. The program includes three Department of Social and Health Services-approved specialty training courses. Students earn credentials in mental health, dementia and developmental disabilities.
Being a nursing assistant is an entry-level position and a great stepping stone to other healthcare careers, according to the college. For example, certification as a nursing assistant is required to start training to be a registered nurse.
“It’s very common for someone to start the nursing assistant program and realize pretty quickly that they love college, they love the work and they want to do more in health care,” said Lorri Speer BSN RN, NAC instructor. “It’s amazing to see students light up and enthusiastically discover that this field is for them. When you are passionate about the work you do, it becomes a career, not a job.”
Nursing assistants typically provide the day-to-day care for patients, such as bathing, feeding, checking vital signs, documenting information, reporting changes in condition to the nurse and keeping patients safe.
Nursing assistants are in dire need locally and nationwide in a variety of healthcare settings. In Washington, nursing assistants earn an average of $22.32, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics.
Upon successful completion of the nursing assistant certified training program, students are eligible to take the National Nursing Aide Assessment Program exam to become licensed in Washington state.
Learn more about the Centralia College nursing program at https://www.centralia.edu/pathways/healthcare/nursing-assistant.aspx.
