The Nurse Aide course prepares individuals to work in long-term care facilities (LTC) and hospitals. For acceptance into ADN and PN programs, the Nurse Aide course is required. Emphasis in the course is on students achieving a basic level of knowledge and demonstrating skills to provide safe, effective patient care. The course has been developed in six units of study. The theory portion includes 35 hours of classroom time and 20 hours of laboratory practice. The clinical experience includes 45 hours in a nursing facility. Certification requires identification with a social security number and government issued identification.

For more information, visit catalog.niacc.edu or contact the Student Development Office at 641-422-4207

Tuition assistance is available to those who qualify!

Check out Tuition Assistance for information about possible assistance with tuition/books/scrubs/testing through NIACC’s PACE program.

Entrance Requirements for Nurse Aide:

• All applicants must satisfactorily complete the Prepare to Care Core Module prior to taking the Nurse Aide Course and provide verification of successful completion. The Prepare to Care Core module is provided free online by Iowa Care Givers Association and can be found at directcare.training-source.org or through face-to-face offerings provided by the community colleges for a fee.
• Must be 16 years or older.
• High school diploma or GED/HSED. If currently in high school, a letter of acknowledgement from your high school counselor is required.
• Strength and endurance to meet the requirements in performing skills such as lifting and moving residents.
• Attendance is mandatory for an Orientation Session prior to the start of your class. If you do not attend the session, you will be withdrawn from the class. *Orientation is held one week prior to class start date. An informational letter will be mailed approximately 10 days prior to the orientation. *Note: Orientation dates are listed on course schedule and are subject to change.
• TB Screening (This is a requirement of the State of Iowa)
  • You MUST have TWO TB tests administered and read by a health care provider.  The provider MUST sign the screening form.
  • TB screenings must be current, within the previous12 months prior to the last day of the desired Nurse Aide class.
  • There must be a minimum of 7 days between the date the first TB test is administered and the second is administered.
  • A positive test, you will require the need to have and submit a report from a chest x-ray.
  • Quantiferon Gold or T-spot TB blood tests are also acceptable, if your provider offers them.  A copy of blood test lab results is required
  • TB screening results must be provided at the mandatory orientation to advance to the first day of the CNA course.
• The immunization requirements includes the Hepatitis B vaccine series, or a signed waiver for the hepatitis vaccine. The student is responsible to provide documentation of the dates for each vaccination.  If you are in the process of receiving the series, it is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation of the dates as the vaccinations are administered. Hepatitis B series records or waiver must be provided at the mandatory orientation to advance to the first day of the CNA course.
  • Hepatitis B Waiver Form
  • NA Immunization Form
• The immunization requirements includes the COVID vaccine series, or a signed waiver for the COVID vaccine. The student is responsible to provide documentation of the dates for each vaccination. COVID vaccination records or waiver must be provided at the mandatory orientation to advance to the first day of the CNA course.
• No physical examination is required for this course.  Students will however provide a health history by completing the Health History form.
• Students must have the strength and endurance to perform all skills in the lab and clinical setting.  Students will review “Iowa Core Performance for Health Care Career Programs” and sign an acknowledgment stating the ability to perform the duties listed.
• Criminal background checks and adult/dependent and child abuse checks are required by law. Results of those checks will be used to determine clinical eligibility (a student may be denied clinical access and be unable to complete the course). Costs for background checks will be included in tuition costs. Paperwork will be completed at the Orientation Session.

NIACC Release Form
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Courses

Nurse Aide Theory: A 55-hour nurse aide course designed to meet the training requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA) for aides working in nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities. 2.5 s.h. college credits upon successful completion. Nurse Aide Clinical course required.

Nurse Aide Clinical: A 45 hour clinical designed to meet the training requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA) for aides working in nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities. 1 s.h. college credit upon successful completion. Nurse Aide Theory course required.

Course Cost: $781.76

Course Schedule – Fall
Course Schedule – Spring
Course Schedule – Summer

Nurse Aide State Testing

Upon completion of the Nurse Aide course, a state written test and a skills demonstration test is completed. A score of 70% or better is passing. Passing these tests is required in order to be placed on the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Direct Care Worker Registry (formerly Iowa Nurse Aide Registry). Placement on the registry is necessary to be employed as a nurse aide in long-term care in Iowa. Certification requires identification with a social security number and government issued identification.

Testing Fees: State Written Competency $60.00, State Skills Competency $115.00

Nurse Aide Testing