Nursing

Program readiness and standards

Program readiness

Please review the college’s policy regarding computer proficiency: Computer Proficiency: A Statement to Students. See PCC’s Digital Literacy website to access computer learning opportunities and support.

To help you succeed, it’s important to have a solid foundation in basic math and English at a 10th-grade U.S. high school level. Students whose first language is not English must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to succeed in this program.

Nursing Assistant standards and authorized duties

Students in the program will be prepared to meet the standards and perform the authorized duties for nursing assistants, as listed in the Oregon State Board of Nursing requirements for Nursing Assistant Certification, which can be found in OAR 851-063-0010.

The PCC Nursing Assistant program and Accessible Ed and Disability Resources will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities, which may include auxiliary aids and or program modifications. Contact the Nursing Assistant program at NA@pcc.edu regarding any concerns about these requirements.

Attendance requirements

Consistent attendance at all scheduled classes is mandatory for successful course completion. If you foresee scheduling conflicts that may interfere with your full participation, we encourage you to apply at a time when you can fully commit.

  • Students are expected to attend all classes, skills labs, and clinical days at the regularly scheduled times and arrive on time.
  • Since this is a short, 11-week course, attendance at each session (lecture, lab, and clinical) is mandatory to complete the required 108 hours. If a lecture or lab is missed, the student is not eligible to progress in the course and may withdraw, or receive a failing grade (NP). The student may be eligible for re-entry in a subsequent term.
  • Tardiness impacts learning and progression. Students who are tardy are at risk of not meeting the 108 required hours and progressing in the course sequence. Students who have excessive tardiness may be asked to withdraw or may receive a failing grade (NP). Students may be eligible for re-entry in a subsequent term.
  • Students are expected to demonstrate the required lab skills safely before starting their clinical experience. Therefore, missing lab classes will impact the student’s ability to progress in the course.
  • If a class is missed due to extenuating circumstances, the program director will assess on a case-by-case basis if the student can continue their remaining sequence of classes.
  • If a class is cancelled due to a school closure, the program will offer a revised schedule to enable students to complete the course.

Certification exam

The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) requires specific documentation in order to take the state certification exam. Most students provide a Social Security Number (SSN), but if you do not have one, OSBN accepts the following alternatives:

  1. A current passport and U.S. visa showing your eligibility to work (e.g., H1B, I-766, or another federal work authorization)
  2. For F1 visa holders: a valid I-94 and I-20 signed by your designated school official
  3. A Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  4. Another federally issued identification number that authorizes employment in the U.S.