Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)

NOTE: The fall 2023 Gig Harbor NAC cohort is now full. The Winter 2024 Gig Harbor NAC program application cycle will open on November 3, 2023, at 12:01am and close once the cohort is full.

About

The Nursing Assistant Program prepares students for a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Nursing assistants must complete a state-approved education program that includes both instruction on the principles of nursing and supervised clinical work. Upon completion of training, students are eligible to take their state examination to become a Nursing Assistant, Certified. The Nursing Assistant Program at TCC is approved by the State of Washington, Department of Health, and Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

Nursing Assistants work under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing staff, have a great deal of contact with patients, and provide personal care such as bathing, feeding, and dressing. They also perform support functions such as taking vital signs, making beds, helping patients become ambulatory, and answering patient calls. Nursing Assistants are responsible for documenting care given, observing, and reporting how patients respond to the care that is being given. Nursing Assistants have far more contact with residents than any other staff and are expected to develop ongoing relationships with the patients/residents and treat them in a positive, caring way. To be a successful Nursing Assistant, they will work in a multidisciplinary team, be able to follow directions, and have a great deal of patience.

The knowledge and skills gained in the Nursing Assistant program are highly valued by healthcare industry employers such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home health agencies. The training can also serve to meet requirements for patient care when applying to other health care education programs, such as nursing, sonography, respiratory care, and radiology.

 

 

Nursing Assistant Certified Pathways

You can enroll in a 5-week program at TCC's Gig Harbor Campus. Find out more below.

Gig Harbor Program

Earn Your Nursing Assistant Certification at TCC's Gig Harbor Campus

The Nursing Assistant Program (NAC 198, 110, 120) is 10 credits, is 5 weeks, and includes CPR certification. Prerequisite: None.

A tentative schedule can be viewed here for the Gig Harbor cohorts. This schedule is subject to change.

The nursing assistant student must be able to meet the Technical Standards, or required skills and abilities, with or without reasonable accommodation. Please connect with Access Services as needed.

Students who successfully complete the classroom, skills lab, and clinical requirements will be eligible to take the NNAAP Nurse Aide Exam.

If you are ready to enroll in the Nursing Assistant Program, here are the steps to get started:

  1. Become a TCC student and get an ID number
  2. Review the NAC Application Packet
  3. Please review the estimated Fees and Costs associated with the Nursing Assistant Program. Find out if you are eligible for Workforce Education Funding or other types of aid at Studentaid.gov.
  4. Complete required immunizations. See required forms on the list to the right, if applicable.
  5. Sign your forms
  6. Apply to the program
  7. Get ready to begin classes
Immunization Forms You May Need
Forms

Declination of Influenza Vaccination (if applicable)

Hepatitis B Declination Form (if applicable)

COVID Medical Exemption Form (if applicable)

COVID Religious Exemption Form (if applicable)

 

Contact Us

We are always here to help! Please reach out to our Nursing Assistant staff to guide you through the application process.

  • For more information about the Gig Harbor Nursing Assistant Program, please email NAC@tacomacc.edu or call 253.566.5218.
  • If you need technology assistance, you can access computers at the TCC campus to complete your application materials. Email support@tacomacc.edu or call 253-566-5176 for more information.