Mar 14, 2026  
2025-2026 Catalog SVC 
    
2025-2026 Catalog SVC

NURS 101 - Nursing Assistant Education (clinical)


Credits: 2
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 0
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 44
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: This is a Washington State Board of Nursing approved program for nursing assistant certified training. Students must arrive on time the first day/night of class and be in attendance at every class in its entirety. To receive the completion certificate, the student must pass the course and complete mandated classroom, lab, and clinical hours. After receiving the course completion certificate, the student can then take the state mandated written and skills test. WA state exam fees for testing are approximately $155. The WA state credentialing fee is approximately $85.

Prerequisite: Current Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider CPR card is required. A current TB test is required.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate basic Nursing Assistant skills in the campus lab and clinical environment.
  2. Describe the Nursing Assistant role within the long-term care environment. 
  3. Identify techniques of therapeutic communication.
  4. Identify ethical and legal behaviors and responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant. 
  5. Show understanding of the basic types and functions of health care facilities.
  6. Discuss the importance of effective observation and communication skills, including proper use of medical terminology and abbreviations.
  7. Demonstrate proper safety and emergency procedures. 
  8. Demonstrate the importance of proper body mechanics and proper positioning.
  9. Describe both physical and chemical restraints, OBRA regulations regarding the use, negative results of their use and alternatives.
  10. Identify infection control principles and techniques to prevent the spread of infection including, but not limited to, Hepatitis, MRSA, UTI’s and various pathogens.
  11. Demonstrate all basic personal care skills prior to and during clinical rotation.  (NACES list as minimal requirement)
  12. Show understanding of restorative skills, as well as environmental factors that promote an optimal level of client function, individualizing care to consider the individual’s cultural, religious, diagnostic and developmental differences.
  13. Discuss alternative diets and the importance of proper nutrition, fluid balance, and bowel function.
  14. Discuss basic body systems and common disease processes, and required adjustments in care.
  15. Communicate understanding in caring for a resident and their family when death is imminent.

Course Contents
  1. Basic Nursing Assistant skills related to physical and psychological needs. Nursing Assistant role and responsibilities within the long-term care environment.
  2. Therapeutic and nontherapeutic communication and the Nursing Assistant/client relationship.
  3. Ethical and legal behaviors and responsibilities. Basic types and functions of health care facilities.
  4. Effective observation and communication skills; proper safety and emergency procedures.
  5. Physical and chemical restraints and OBRA regulations; proper body mechanics and positioning.
  6. Infection control principles and techniques; basic personal care skills for clinical.
  7. Restorative skills, environmental factors, and considering the cultural, religious, diagnostic and developmental differences of the individual.
  8. Alternative diets, proper nutrition, fluid balance and bowel function; basic body systems and common disease processes.
  9. Caring for a resident and their family when death is imminent.


Instructional Units: 2