Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant student practicing correct lifting technique

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

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. 


 

Wisconsin Caregiver Careers logo at WisCaregiver.com

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

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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

Email Dawn | Call Dawn

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. 

Learn More About Technical Standards for this Program

Nursing assistant students practicing helping a patient in hospital bed

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. 

Students practicing the skills that nursing assistants use

Make a difference.

Students practicing taking the pulse of a patient

Job stability.

Students practicing feeding a patient

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.  

NNAAP pass rates

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.

Explore the Required Courses

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.

Technical Diploma
2 Credits / 90 Hour Course
Potential Careers
Nursing Assistant
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Continue your education to earn an associate degree.

Associate Degree
70 Credits / At Least 2 Years Full Time, Part-Time Options Available
Potential Careers
Registered Nurse
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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.

Requirements and Application

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.

Learn More About Cost of Attendance

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.


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Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

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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

 


Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Sherry Rehnelt

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8136

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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Take the Next Step

Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.