For related NUR programs, see Related Programs Listing .

Purpose: The career studies certificate program is a response to the non-conventional short-term program of studies needed by many adults within the college’s region. It offers a series of specialized program options which represent a wide variety of adult career and academic interest course areas. The options within this program are intended to represent the minimum amount of college course work considered representative of these fields of study. Each of the program options is designed as a distinct “mini-curriculum” within a broader range of adult educational possibilities.

Admission Requirements: Applicants should meet the general requirements for admission to the college. Placement tests may be required in some areas.

The career studies certificate is designed to train individuals for employment as nursing assistants and give graduates proficiency in the skills needed to assist with nursing care in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health.¹

Admission Requirements: Students interested in NUR 27 Nurse Aide I  must note that the Virginia Board of Nursing has the authority to deny certification to a nurse aid applicant who has violated certain federal, state, or other statues. Examples include conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, and alcohol or drug related issues. A prospective student who has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contender to any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations may contact the nursing program director with questions. Information is also available from the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Virginia Board of Nursing, located at Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233. Phone (804) 367-4515.

Healthcare agencies, where nurse aide students engage in clinical experiences, require that students complete a background investigation prior to participating in clinical activities. A healthcare agency may deny clinical participation for findings on the reports. Some healthcare agencies also require that students be finger-printed. Affiliation agreements prevent the placement of a student who is denied clinical participation at one facility into a clinical group at another agency. Inability to meet the clinical requirements prevents the student from satisfactorily achieving the course objectives, resulting in failure of the course.

Working in the role of a nurse aide is physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding. Students engaged in clinical experiences while enrolled in the program must be able to perform in the role of a nurse aide. The chart, based on expectations published by the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing, describes activities associated with classroom and clinical requirements.

Category	Examples of Clinical Competencies and Responsibilities*
Analytical and Critical Thinking	Read and understand written documents in English (e.g. protocols), focus attention on task in distracting/chaotic environment, identify cause-effect relationships, use long and short-term memory.
Professional Relationships	Deal with the unexpected (e.g. patient crisis), handle strong emotions of others while controlling personal responses.
Communication	Communicate in English with patients, families, and agency staff members (both orally and written).
Mobility	Move within confined spaces, reach above shoulders (e.g. I.V. poles) and reach below waist (e.g. plug in electrical appliances), walk six to eight hours, stand at bedside up to 60 minutes to assist with patient care.
Motor Skills	Perform CPR, operate a fire extinguisher, key/type (e.g. use a computer), manipulate an eye dropper.
Hearing	Hear faint body sounds (e.g. blood pressure), hear monitor alarms, hear in situations when not able to see lips (e.g. when masks are used).
Visual	See objects near (e.g. computer screen), see objects far (e.g. patient at end of the hall), distinguish color intensity (e.g. flushed or pale skin), read digital displays, read graphic printouts, read small print on labels.
Tactile Sense	Use sense of touch to gather assessment data (e.g. palpate pulses, detect warmth vs. coolness).

*Examples are intended as clarification, not as a comprehensive list

Student Responsibilities for All Nurse Aide Students

The student is responsible for all fees associated with criminal background reports. Criminal background checks will be completed following enrollment into the nurse aide course and prior to beginning the clinical component NUR 27 . Background checks must follow specific procedural requirements and data provided by other means are not acceptable. Further information will be provided on actions to take following enrollment into NUR 27 . The cost in 2012 was $45; this cost many change.

A student enrolled in NUR 27  must complete screening for tuberculosis (TB) and have the current season influenza vaccination prior to participating in clinical experiences. Healthcare providers have routine annual screening for TB via PPD screening. Students must provide evidence of a negative PPD or chest x-ray indicating no active disease. Students must also provide documentation of receiving the current season flu vaccine. The student is responsible for all costs associated with TB screening and seasonal flu vaccination.

The student is responsible for costs associated with the textbook, uniforms, and any needed accessories.

The student is responsible for transportation to and from clinical sites.

The student is responsible for the costs of personal medical care incurred as a result of accidents or incidents in the clinical or laboratory setting.

The student is responsible for fees associated with the application and competency evaluation required by the Virginia Board of Nursing in order to be placed on the nurse aide registry.