Nursing Assistant/Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) : Home

Nursing Assistants, otherwise known as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), help care for ill, injured, disabled or infirm individuals confined to hospitals, nursing or residential care facilities, and mental health settings.

Nursing Assistants work under the supervision of nursing and medical staff.

• Typical duties include personal patient care such as bathing, feeding, and dressing, as well as support functions which include transporting patients, making beds, and answering patient calls.
• Clinical duties include taking vital signs, massages, helping patient to become ambulatory, and observation for signs of medical change.
• Nursing assistants employed in nursing homes are also called Geriatric Aides. They are often the principal caregivers, having far more contact with residents than other members of the staff. Since residents may stay in a nursing home for months or even years, aides are expected to develop ongoing relationships with them and respond to them in a positive, caring way.

BSCC Skills Training Division offers a nine (9) week Nursing Assistant Program. While enrolled in this 84 hour non-credit program of study, students learn basic patient care skills in the classroom and in clinical/lab experiences. 

• To enter the program, a student must be at least 18 years of age, able to move and lift heavy objects, and able to read and understand instructions.
• After completion of the program, the student will be eligible to sit for the Nurses Aide Competency Evaluation Service (NACES) exam.
• COMPASS testing is not required to enter the program.
• During the program, students are required to demonstrate clinical proficiency of 19 patient care skills.
• The student must complete each skill at a satisfactory level in order to complete the course.
• In addition, students are required to complete a 20-hour clinical rotation at a local healthcare facility.
• Prior to program completion, students are given a comprehensive written final exam, which must be passed at a minimum level of 75 percent.
• Students are also given a skills final exam, which must be passed at a minimum level of 100 percent.
• Once students successfully complete the Nurse Assistant Program, they must pass the Nurses Aide Competency Evaluation Service (NACES) exam in order to become certified and be qualified for placement on the State of Alabama Nurse Aide Registry. This two-part examination consists of a written exam and a skills exam. The student must show proficiency on both exams to qualify for certification status.

BSCC's Libraries have a great collection of resources, including books in print and electronic format, and current articles in our databases.  We have also included here a list of excellent websites to help with your research.  All the BSCC librarians are ready to help!  Contact us by phone, send us an e-mail or stop by and see us in person!

• Under the "Books" tab, you will find physical reference and circulating materials.
• Under the "Articles" tab, you will find a selection of relevant databases to search for articles from journals, magazines and newspapers.
• Under the "Websites" tab, you will find a collection of reliable websites for your research.

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