Nursing Assistant
Technical Diploma
2 Credits | 90 Hours
Multiple Start Dates
Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior
Outreach Center: Hayward
Health Education Center: Shell Lake
Career Cluster: Health Sciences
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Nursing assistants, also known as nurse aides, certified nursing assistants, geriatric aides, unlicensed assistive personnel, orderlies or hospital attendants, provide hands-on care and perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff.
Financial assistance may be available to assist with your training as part of the WisCaregiver Careers Program. To learn more and to find out if you are eligible, please view the informational sheet available here.
Financial assistance may be available as part of the West Cap Nursing Skills Program. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Financial assistance may be available to assist with your healthcare training as part of the Collaboration of Wisconsin Rural Investment in Community Healthcare grant. To determine if you're eligible, please connect with Dawn Knapp, grant project coordinator at the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board.
Learn more about this opportunity here.
Program Overview
The Nursing Assistant program prepares students for employment as nursing assistants. The program also prepares students for other health-related programs. Students will be required to demonstrate the following skills under the supervision of a licensed nurse: communication, basic nursing assistant and personal care skills, attention to client’s rights, and care of clients with dementias. The program is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a nurse-aide training program. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the Wisconsin Nursing Assistant competency evaluation for inclusion on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry and employment in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, CBRF’s, assisted living centers and homes for the developmentally disabled.
The program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Office of Quality Assurance. After successfully completing this program, students will be eligible to complete the written and skills exams to be placed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry.
Program Outcomes
Nursing Assistant graduates will be able to:
- Communicate effectively with clients, family, and co-workers
- Protect rights of clients
- Demonstrate ethical and legal responsibilities
- Work cooperatively in a team environment
- Provide holistic, safe care to diverse populations
- Demonstrate reporting and documentation
- Assist clients with rehabilitation and restorative care
- Provide safe care for clients with acute and chronic health conditions
- Complete educational requirements for the WI NA competency evaluation
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
You will work directly with patients and their families. This means you truly have the opportunity to positively make a difference in people's lives. Being a nursing assistant offers tremendous job stability because the demand will always be there, and will continue to grow. With the everchanging healthcare industry, it is believed that the demand for nursing assistants is at an all time high.
Make a difference.
Job stability.
Ability to work in various sectors.
Academics
The Nursing Assistant course is offered year-round on all four campuses (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior) and periodically at the outreach center in Hayward and the Health Education Center in Shell Lake. Take classes face to face and in the clinical setting.
Good Salary
In just six weeks, you can earn a rewarding career. Considering you could be certified in just six-weeks time, a median salary of $36,220 (US Bureau of Labor & Statistics) nationally is respectable.
Career Bonuses and Benefits
Many nursing assistants receive great bonuses and benefits. These include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. There are sometimes profit-sharing opportunities depending on the sector in which you work. These can increase your salary.
Continue Your Education
As a nursing assistant, it may be easier to gain access to other nursing programs, in particular accelerated ones. As you can demonstrate that you have working experience in the field, it will be more likely for you to be accepted to these programs.
Required Courses
Program-specific subjects covered include infection control, transferring and range of motion. Clinical experience working with residents in long term care will give you experience to work in the field upon graduation.
Nursing Assistant is Part of a Career Pathway
Nursing Assistant is a requirement for the Nursing program.
This is the program you are looking at.
Continue your education to earn an associate degree.
Continue your education to earn your bachelor's degree.
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Nursing Assistant
2 Credits | 90 hours
$341
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Nursing Assistant Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Nursing Assistant technical diploma and be eligible to complete the written and skills exam to be placed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry and become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
Northwood Tech’s Nursing Assistant program is designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for certification to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The College has not determined and does not guarantee its required courses meet the requirements for preparation, examinations, licensure, or certification in other states/territories as documented on the licensure and certification disclosure webpage. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states/territories other than Wisconsin or Minnesota should contact the appropriate licensing board in the state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements. To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
Please click below to review more details about DHS approval:
Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
