NMC offers nursing assistant certificate program

Nursing students conduct simulation exercises at the Northern Marianas College’s nursing department. For more information about how to apply for the nursing assistant certification program, contact the NMC Nursing Department by phone at 237-6743 or email andrew.mendiola@marianas.edu. (NMC)

The Northern Marianas College Nursing Program, in collaboration with the CNMI Area Health Education Center, is offering a Nursing Assistance Certificate Program that will run for six weeks or a total of 150 credit hours.

This course will prepare entry-level nursing assistants to provide basic nursing care to the elderly, ill, and persons with disabilities in long-term care, hospitals, clinics, schools, and home health settings.

It is designed for any student or individual interested in beginning a career as a nursing assistant, individuals interested in taking a nursing course but still at developmental English and math levels, and for persons already employed as a nursing assistant but have not completed formal course work. 

The course, approved by the Northern Mariana Islands Board of Nursing, will also prepare participants to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Competency Examination.

After successfully completing the course, certified participants will be eligible to take the NNAAP Competency Examination under NMI Board of Nursing, Northern Mariana Islands, be licensed as a certified nursing assistant, be placed on the NMI Board of Nursing registry for nursing assistants, and may practice as a CNA in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. territories or U.S. mainland.

The training will run from June 11, 2018, through July 21, 2018.

Registrants must have high school diploma or equivalant; must have a minimum English placement level of EN093 and EN084; and must have a minimum math placement level, MA 091.

Students must also meet NMC admission requirements, which includes a completed NMC admission application form and a health evaluation form. Students must also pay a (non-refundable) application fee: $25 for residents or $50 for nonresidents; submit an official high school or high school equivalent transcript, and a copy of a valid, government-issued, photo ID. 

The cost for the nursing assistant certificate program will include payment for six non-degree credits for a total of 150 hours; applicable college fees; a physical examination fee; BLS/CPR class fee; required clinical supplies and uniform; two NMC Nursing Program logo patches; and a CHCC hospital student name badge.

For more information, contact the NMC Nursing Department by phone at (670) 237-6743 or 6744 and ask for Andrew Mendiola, administrative assistant III or Rosa M. Tudela, RN, Nursing department chair. They may also be reached by email at: andrew.mendiola@marianas.edu or rosa.tudela@marianas.edu. (PR)