Program readiness and standards
Academic readiness
To help you succeed, it’s important to have a solid foundation in basic math and English at a 12th-grade U.S. high school level. Students will be asked to indicate that they have completed a high school diploma (or equivalent) or higher on the application. While there are no academic prerequisites, the following courses support student success in the Nursing Assistant course. Acceptance of students younger than 18 is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Recommended courses (not required)
- MTH 95: Intermediate Algebra, or higher
- WR 121: English Composition, or higher
- MP 111: Medical Terminology, or equivalent
English proficiency
If English isn’t your first language, you must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to succeed in this program. In your Nursing Assistant application, you’ll need to upload documentation for one of the following:
- Completed ESOL level 8 or higher with a 2.0 GPA or higher – upload PCC unofficial transcript
- Duolingo course score of 95 or higher (no sub-score lower than 75) received in the past two years – upload a copy of official test results
- Completed WR 115 or equivalent or higher – upload PCC unofficial transcript
- Obtained a U.S. high school degree – upload unofficial transcript
Student success with a hybrid course
The Nursing Assistant course uses a hybrid model – lectures are online through Desire2Learn (D2L), and labs and clinical instruction happen in person.
The online course requires students to have strong computer skills:
- Navigating the Desire2Learn (D2L) learning management system to access modules
- Saving, uploading, and downloading files
- Using email and avoiding phishing attempts
- Using Google Drive
To prepare for online learning, we strongly encourage you to complete the Start Guide for Online Learning and access the following online course training. As a PCC student, you can access the following preparation materials for online learning:
- The college’s policy regarding computer proficiency
- PCC’s Digital Literacy website
- An introduction to the online learning experience
- Technology requirements for online students
- An explanation of how online courses work and a sample course
- How to get started as an online student
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.
Nursing assistant essential functions
Nursing assistants must possess the physical and cognitive capacity, emotional stability, and communication skills essential for the delivery of safe care. Students who are accepted into the program must be able to perform the following essential functions of the nursing assistant role (with or without accommodation). Students will demonstrate performance of the essential functions in both lab and clinical environments.
- Strength and mobility: Able to lift and push 35 pounds, repeatedly lift, bend, and kneel.
- Examples, but not limited to: Transfer patients in/out of bed from stretchers and wheelchairs.
- Control a fall by slowly lowering a client to the floor.
- Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
- Reach shoulder level or higher to access equipment.
- Physical endurance: Sufficient to complete assignment periods of clinical practice (8–12 hour shifts on days, evenings, weekends) with an acceptable pace.
- Visual acuity (clearness of vision): Sufficient to gather data on clients and their environments to provide appropriate care.
- Examples, but not limited to: Collect data from recordings on vital sign machines, detect a fire in the environment, ability to read care plans or electronic health records, and accurately obtain vitals.
- Hearing ability: Sufficient to hear clients and team members for effective communication or gathering of pertinent and reliable data.
- Examples, but not limited to: Auscultate patient vitals, audible alarms, etc., and participate in effective communication with client and team members.
- Ability to speak, comprehend, read, and write in the English language: Ability to read, write, and verbally relay information to the patient and team at a level that meets accurate, clear, and effective communication.
- Examples, but not limited to: Giving oral handoff reports to team members, reading a watch with a second hand to obtain vitals, and negotiating interpersonal conflict.
- Professional behaviors: Ability to show up on time, maintain boundaries and appropriate language, follow protocols, and adapt to a changing environment.
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. Review the course schedule.
- 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 120 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 120 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.
Clinical requirements
On the application, students will be required to attest that their immunization and vaccination status is up to date and that they have the documentation to demonstrate proof when it is required later in the process. Please review the requirements for clinical and field education for the list of required vaccinations.
Upon acceptance to the program, students will be invited to an orientation to receive direction for completing the following clinical requirements performed through the school-selected vendor, DISA (formerly CastleBranch):
- Submitting vaccination records for verification.
- Participating in a drug screen.
- Completing a background check.
- Completing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and OSHA compliance online training modules.
Please note: A criminal background check requires a Social Security number. Students will start the background check and upload vaccination records and CPR cards during orientation. COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines are recommended but not required.
Clinical rotations are held at healthcare facilities throughout the greater Portland area. Students may be placed at a clinical rotation site 30 miles from the school site, and should have reliable transportation to ensure timely attendance at all off-site clinical rotations and on-campus laboratory sessions.
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:
- A current passport and U.S. visa showing your eligibility to work (e.g., H1B, I-766, or another federal work authorization)
- For F1 visa holders: a valid I-94 and I-20 signed by your designated school official
- A Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Another federally issued identification number that authorizes employment in the U.S.