Nursing Assistant Certificate (C45480)

Major Courses

• NAS 101 Nursing Assistant I (6 Credit Hours) *
• NAS 102 Nursing Assistant II (6 Credit Hours)
• NAS 103 Home Health Care (2 Credit Hours)

Total Semester Hours Credit: 14

Additional Courses:

• NAS 107 Medication Aide (1 Credit Hour)

Note(s):

*Please Note: Some financial aid will not cover the Nursing Assistant classes because they are certificate-level courses. Please check with your financial aid specialist prior to expecting third party payers to cover the expenses incurred for this course.

NAS 101 (Nursing Assistant I)

Curriculum Description

The Nursing Assistant I course introduces basic nursing skills required to provide personal care for patients, residents, or clients in a health care setting. Topics include communications, safety, patients’ rights, personal care, vital signs, elimination, nutrition, emergencies, rehabilitation, and mental health. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills necessary to qualify as a Nursing Assistant I with the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.

Admission Information

Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Nursing Assistant program MUST meet the following requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college:

1. Submit a completed Application for Admission on-line at www.gaston.edu or in person in the Gaston College Office of Admissions.
2. Request that your high school mail an official high school transcript to the Gaston College Office of Admissions, 201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 28034-1499. The documentation listed below can be submitted in the place of a traditional high school transcript:
   
   • Official Adult High School transcript
   • Official copies of GED scores(minimum score of 225 and no subscore less than 35)
   • Official transcript from International Correspondence School
   • Official transcript from Home School
     **High School graduation is not required for those desiring to take NA I only.
3. Request that all colleges previously attended submit official transcripts, if applicable.
4. Schedule and take the placement test with the Admissions Office. Students must score at least 51 on reading and 18 on math on COMPASS Placement Test or a 33 on the reading and 30 on numeric math on ASSET test in order to be eligible for the Nursing Assistant class. If scores are lower than this, student must complete RED 080  and/or MAT 060  (or DMA 010 , DMA 020 , and DMA 030 )  with a passing grade before attempting the Nursing Assistant Class.
5. Students who scored 500 or higher on the Verbal or Critical Reading portion of the SAT are not required to take the Writing and Reading portions of the placement test. Students who scored 500 or higher on the Mathematics portion of the SAT are not required to take the Mathematics portion of the placement test. Official test score results must be no more than five (5) years old and they must be received and evaluated by the Gaston College Office of Admissions.
   Students who score a 18 or higher on the English portion of the ACT will be exempted from the Writing portion of the college’s placement test. Students who score a 21 or higher on the Reading portion of the ACT will be exempted from the Reading portion of the college’s placement test. Students who score a 22 or higher on the Mathematics portion of the ACT will be exempted from the Math portion of the college’s placement test. Official test score results must be received and evaluated by the Gaston College Office of Admissions. A transfer student who has earned a “C” in both college level math and English from a regionally accredited institution shall have the test waived.
6. International students will be required to demonstrate English proficiency. This may be established by scoring no less than 540 (207 on the computer) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). United States resident applicants whose primary spoken language is not English will be required to demonstrate English proficiency. This may be established by scoring no less than 540 (207 on the computer) on the TOEFL. The Department Chairperson of the Nursing Assistant Program, in consultation with the Dean of the Health Education Institute, will determine the means of demonstrating proficiency on an individual basis (see college website for more information.)
7. Complete a new student orientation for Gaston College.

Additional Requirements to be Eligible to Register for the Nursing Assistant Program:

1. Prior to registration, students must attend a session to get a packet that explains all requirements for the class.
2. Registration will be per Gaston College procedure online, by telephone, or in person.
3. Complete a student information sheet for the nursing assistant program.
4. Provide a government issued picture identification (for example: driver’s license, military ID, or passport).
5. The criminal background check is required prior to participating in the clinical component of this program. The clinical site(s) has the right to deny students access based on criminal background. This denial would result in the student’s inability to successfully complete the program. Any student with a conviction of assault, neglect, abuse, stealing of any kind or illegal drug possession in the past seven years will not be allowed to participate in clinical. Any outstanding charges must be resolved prior to student attending clinical. Please follow instructions included in this packet.
6. The medical form must be completed in its entirety and must demonstrate evidence of a physical exam within one year prior to the date of the beginning of class. The form must document satisfactory emotional and physical health.
   
   1. Prospective students with known or suspected communicable or other serious illnesses are ethically and legally obligated to evaluate their health status in view of client safety. In addition, a physician’s statement must be provided documenting that the disease state has been resolved or adequately controlled.
   2. Hepatitis B vaccine is suggested for all nursing assistant students. Should the student choose to decline the Hepatitis B vaccine, he/she will need to sign a declination form which is included with the Health Form.
   3. The health form must be completed by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and must be submitted to the Nursing Assistant department with the completed application packet.
   4. The student must provide documentation of the following immunizations:
      • Tuberculosis skin test in last 12 months
      • Tetanus/Pertussis shot in last ten years
      • MMR and booster if born after January 1957 or blood test showing positive titer(s) (3)
      • Hepatitis immunization series or copy of declination form and/or waiver.
      • Positive varicella titer or immunizations X 2 (IGg).
7. Must have a urine drug screen at student’s expense according to established college policy (forms provided, cost $36.00). Do not have the drug screen done until instructed to do so by your instructor. Failure to have drug screen done at the correct time will result in student being required to withdraw from class. Doing the drug screen ahead of time will result in student having to pay for test twice.
8. Documentation of malpractice insurance payment (included with tuition at a cost of $13.00). Copy of receipt from registration to be turned in with packet.

A COMPLETE FILE MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO STUDENT’S PARTICIPATION IN CLINICAL. PLEASE TURN IN THIS PAPERWORK TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.

NAS 102 (Nursing Assistant II)

Curriculum Description

The Nursing Assistant II course provides training in selected advanced nursing assistant procedures.Emphasis is placed on sterile techniques, respiratory procedures, catheterizations, wound and trach care, irrigations, and ostomy care. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills necessary to qualify as a Nursing Assistant II with the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

Admission Information

Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Nursing Assistant program MUST meet the following requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college:

1. Submit to the Gaston College Office of  Admissions a completed Application for Admission.
2. Request that your high school mail an official high school transcript to the Gaston College Office of Admissions, 201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 28034-1499. High school graduation is required prior to admission to the Nursing Assistant II class. The documentation listed below can be submitted in the place of a traditional high school transcript:
   
   • Official Adult High School transcript (Sealed and Unopened)
   • Official Copies of GED scores(minimum score of 225 and no sub-score less than 35)
   • Official transcript from International Correspondence School
   • Official transcript from Home School
3. Request that all colleges previously attended submit official transcripts, if applicable, if applicable.
4. Schedule and take the placement test. The placement test may not be required of any person who has scored 500 on the verbal section and 520 on the math section of the SAT or who has a score of 21 on the ACT on Reading and Math. (All test scores must be less than five years old.) A transfer student who has earned a “C” in both college level math and English from a regionally accredited institution shall have the test waived.
5. International students will be required to demonstrate English proficiency. This may be established by scoring no less than 540 (207 on the computer) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). United States resident applicants whose primary spoken language is not English will be required to demonstrate English proficiency. This may be established by scoring no less than 540 (207 on the computer) on the TOEFL. The Department Chairperson of the Nursing Assistant Program, in consultation with the Dean of  Health Education, will determine the means of demonstrating proficiency on an individual basis. (See college website for more information).
6. High school graduation or equivalent is required to be listed as an Nursing Assistant II.
7. Completion of a State Approved Nursing Assistant I course is required prior to registration for the Nursing Assistant II Course at Gaston College
8. The student must be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I registry prior to being allowed to participate in the clinical portion of the Nursing Assistant II class.

Additional Requirements to be Eligible to Register for the Nursing Assistant Program:

1. Registration will be in person only in the Nursing Assistant Department.
2. Complete a student information sheet for the nursing assistant program.
3. The criminal background check is required prior to participating in the clinical component of this program. The clinical site(s) has the right to deny students access based on criminal background. This denial would result in the student’s inability to successfully complete the program. Students with convictions for abuse, neglect, assault, illegal drug offenses, or stealing in the past seven years will not be allowed to participate in clinical.
4. Admissions to the Nursing Assistant Program are conditional pending receipt of the “Student Medical Form for Programs that Require Health Forms In North Carolina Community College System Institutions.” The form must be completed in its entirety and must demonstrate evidence of a physical exam within one year prior to the date of the submission of the form. The form must document satisfactory emotional and physical health.
   
   1. Prospective students with known or suspected communicable or other serious illnesses are ethically and legally obligated to evaluate their health status in view of client safety. In addition, a physician’s statement must be provided documenting that the disease state has been resolved or adequately controlled.
   2. Laboratory documentation must be submitted denoting no actively infectious disease process. Hepatitis B vaccine is required for all nursing assistant students. Should the student choose to decline the Hepatitis B vaccine, he/she will need to sign a declination form which is available in the Health Science Office.
   3. The Health Form must be completed by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and must be submitted to the Nursing Assistant department at the orientation session prior to the start of classes.
   4. The student should provide documentation of the following immunizations:
      
      • Tuberculosis skin test in last 12 months
      • Tetanus/pertussis shot in last ten years
      • MMR and booster if born after January 1957, immune titers for rubella and mumps for those born before 1957 or for those with a history of the disease
      • Hepatitis immunization series or copy of declination form and/or waiver and evidence of education concerning danger of exposure in the workplace (Will cover this the first week of class).
      • Certification of Chicken Pox immunity or two (2) immunizations.
5. Documentation of malpractice insurance payment (bring fee receipt from registration the first day of class.)
6. Must have a Urine Drug Screen and a Criminal Background Check at the student’s expense according to established college policy-do not have the drug screen done until your instructor tells you to do so. Failure to do drug screen at the appointed time according to the college procedure will result in the student being required to withdraw from class and not participate in clinical. Doing the drug screen ahead of time will result in the student having to pay for the drug screen twice.
7. Must be fingerprinted at student’s expense (bring receipt). Must be done according to college procedure.
8. Must present a certificate showing they have completed a State approved Nursing Assistant I class of 75 to 120 hours and must be listed on the NC nurse aide registry prior to registration for class.
9. Must have a high school diploma or GED (sealed and unopened).

Complete file must be submitted to the Nursing Assistant Office, DBC 159. Students who fail to submit a complete file will not be allowed to participate in class and will be required to withdraw from the class.

NAS 107 (Medication Aide)

This course will cover the six rights of medication administration for non-licensed personnel. Topics will include medication administration via different routes, medical asepsis, hand hygiene, terminology, and legal implications. Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to take the N.C. state test for listing as a Medication Aide.

Students who are interested in registering for this class must have a high school diploma or a GED, and must be able to present a certificate showing successful completion of a State-approved Nursing Assistant I course.