Nursing Assistant: Program overview
About
Welcome to PCC and the HEP Pathway
Welcome to Portland Community College and the start of your path to a rewarding career!
The Healthcare & Emergency Professions (HEP) pathway provides opportunities for students to gain certificates, degrees, licensure, and/or credentials to further their careers in healthcare and emergency services fields. Many of our programs provide hands-on learning opportunities with advanced technology, practical training in clinical settings, and instructors with industry experience. Program graduates are in high demand in the healthcare and emergency professions industry and have the potential to earn excellent wages and benefits.
For more information about the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway, see the programs offered. See the Healthcare programs comparison chart to compare degrees and certificates offered, program costs, and potential salaries offered in each career path.
Welcome to the Nursing Assistant Program
We encourage all students to take the next step in their professional journey. Pursuing further education and training in the healthcare field will expand your knowledge and skills and deepen your understanding of diverse patient needs. Embracing continuous learning and a commitment to providing compassionate care will undoubtedly positively impact your future as a healthcare employee.
The Nursing Assistant (NA) program at Portland Community College is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in the state of Oregon. Our curriculum covers basic entry level content and skills to care for patients/residents in long-term care, skilled nursing, and other medical or acute care facilities. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students meet the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) requirements to be eligible for the Nursing Assistant certification exam for the State of Oregon, opening up a world of opportunities in the healthcare field.
Sincerely,
Marie McGhee, MN, RN
Nursing Assistant Program Director
About the Nursing Assistant program
The Nursing Assistant (NA) program is a non-credit certificate program housed within the Healthcare and Emergency Professions pathway of Portland Community College (PCC). Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, the Nursing Assistant program teaches hands-on skills that students will use every day to provide patients with exceptional health care. After practicing these skills in a lecture and lab setting, you will put them to use in the real world during a clinical practicum at one of several hospitals, clinics, long term care, or skilled nursing facilities in the Portland area.
Future-Ready Oregon grant and wraparound support
Thanks to a Future-Ready Oregon grant, tuition and fees are covered by scholarships through June 30, 2026. The grant has enabled the Nursing Assistant program to team up with PCC’s Career Pathways department to provide enhanced coaching and case management for students in the program. Nursing Assistant students receive additional support with navigating college resources, goal setting, and overcoming barriers to success from a dedicated coach. Additional support may also include transportation assistance, professional clothing, or supplies needed to be successful in the program.
Date initiated: 3/31/2025; Date reviewed: 7/7/2025; Date revised: 11/26/2025
Mission and values
The philosophy of the NA program emphasizes compassionate and patient-centered care, equipping individuals with practical skills to support daily living and health monitoring while upholding dignity and respect for the individual. The program highlights the importance of teamwork, ethics, and continuous learning, fostering meaningful contributions to the patient, healthcare teams, and environments to advance quality outcomes effectively.
Goals and objectives
The goal of the NA program is to prepare graduates of the program for eligibility and readiness to take the OSBN certification exam, equipping them for success in the evolving healthcare landscape.
Shaping skilled caregivers for the future health and well-being of Oregonians
The PCC program will stand out by offering:
- Comprehensive training: balanced curriculum that meets the requirements of OSBN NA training.
- Certification readiness: alignment with OSBN’s unified CNA standards, ensuring readiness of students for certification.
- Community impact: supporting hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare facilities to enhance care quality and workforce capabilities.
Graduate achievement
Graduates of the NA program will be prepared and eligible to take the OSBN certification exam, equipping them for success in the evolving healthcare landscape. Students who pass the exam will be approved to work as a certified nursing assistant in the state of Oregon.
Accreditation
Portland Community College is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). For more information, see the college’s Accreditation webpage.
Costs
Through the Future Ready Oregon Grant, Portland Community College has the unique opportunity to provide Nursing Assistant training at low or minimal cost to 120 students through June 15, 2026. Minimal costs may include having appropriate clinical shoes and additional exam attempt costs for onboarding or certification beyond initial attempt. See the How much will it cost? section of the Nursing Assistant website.
Leadership
Janeen Hull
PCC – Academic & Career Pathways Dean
See the PCC Organizational Guide for information about college administration.
Contacts
- Marie McGhee, MSN, RN, Director
- Rene Norton, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, Faculty
Portland Community College
Sylvania Campus
12000 SW 49th Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97219
College mailing address:
PO Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990