Nurse Aide
NEXT CLASS STARTS OCTOBER 21ST
The Nurse Aide Program is a comprehensive course designed to teach students the skills and abilities essential to the provision of basic care to patients and residents in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Graduates of this program will be able to communicate and interact effectively with patients, assist patients in attaining and maintaining maximum functional independence, while observing patient rights. They will learn how to perform basic first aid, CPR, take vital signs, apply the elements of basic nutrition in meal planning, and follow infection prevention measures. Graduates of this program may find entry-level employment as a Nurse Aide with hospitals and nurse homes.
Course Format and Exam
The Nurse Aide program is offered in two forms; in person or as hybrid. With the hybrid model, classroom instruction is a combination of scheduled lecture instruction, skill lab demonstration and clinical instruction. Students may take the classes online from home. At the completion of the program, the graduate may take the certifying Texas CNA Exam offered through Prometric. Students must have access to a computer and the internet and must be able to access Google Classroom, Zoom, and WhatsApp on their devices. For the first three weeks and the last week, lecture hours will be held via Zoom. Specific skill lab hours (student is required to report to the school) will be discussed on the first day of class. In week four, students will be gain hands-on direct patient care in the affiliated clinical site.
Students will have daily homework/ chapter quizzes and reading assignments. A weekly quiz covering the material covered for that week will be posted on Google Classroom. The final exam will be held on the last day of class.
Admission Requirements:
For consideration of admission to the school, proof of the following is required:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a social security card (non-laminated), and proof of legal status in United states.
- Have a valid driver’s license or state or federally issued photo ID. Photocopies are NOT accepted
- Be able to read, write, and speak English
- Provide proof of successful completion of public, private, or home schooling at the high school level or obtainment of a recognized high school equivalency credential or GED.
- Cannot be listed as unemployable on the Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) and cannot have been convicted of a criminal offense as listed in Texas Health and Safety Code 250.006.
- Be in good health and able to bend, twist, lift at least 50 pounds, and be free from communicable disease (health physical form to be filled out by students healthcare provider).
- Present evidence of current negative TB screen (a normal chest x-ray is acceptable if skin test is positive, or student has received BCG vaccine)
- COVID-19 vaccinations are not mandatory however clinical affiliates may restrict or deny unvaccinated individuals from participating in the required clinical rotations. Diamond Career Institute may not be able to find a suitable alternative resulting in delayed or prevention of completion of the program. This would render the student ineligible for their certificate of completion thus also preventing them from sitting for the Texas state certification exam.
Course content includes:
- Introduction to Long-Term Care
The student will acquire skills of a Nurse Aide role in the long – term care facility. Training in safety and emergency measures, infection control, resident’s rights, and methods of protecting nurse aide from injury.
- Personal Care Skills
The student will acquire skills used to provide activities of daily living for residents. Activities included bathing, nutrition, grooming hygiene, hydration and elimination.
- Basic Nursing Skills
The student will acquire skills in basic nursing skills such as, vital/ signs, daily patient care, elements of documentation, reporting transfers and discharge of patients.
- Restorative Services
The student will acquire skills in restoration by promoting self-care and encouraging activities such as hydration according to care plan of residents.
- Mental Health & Social Services Needs
The student will acquire skills in steps to provide psychosocial and physical support to residents. This will include helping residents with behavior problems and cognitive changes associated with aging.
- Social Skills
The student will acquire skills on methods to resolve disagreements associated with supervisors, co-workers and family members.
- Nurse Aide Externship
The students will apply hands on care to residents based on skills learned in the classroom setting and are supervised by a licensed nurse.
Required Student Materials
Required Text
- Hartman’s Nurse Aide Care, Long-Term Care, 4th Ed.
- Hartman’s Nurse Aide Workbook, 4th Ed.
Students are required to have internet and computer access with a web camera to attend lectures and complete all assignments and testing.
A laptop or electronic notebook (iPad, MacBook, or Samsung Galaxy) is required for all classes. A smart phone may be used in addition to the laptop but cannot be substituted for laptop.
Total cost of Nurse Aide Course $920.00
Texas Nurse Aide Exam Fee $125 is NOT included and must be paid directly to Prometric by student. This can be done at https://www.prometric.com/nurseaide/tx
Required Expenses NOT included in program cost:
- TB testing/ CXR
- Urine drug screen * if required by LTC facility
Payment Plan
Students may pay the full tuition upon enrollment or opt for a four-payment option with no additional interest. Those opting for the four-payment option must pay $100.00 at time of enrollment, $274.00 on the first day of class, $273.00 on the Friday of the second week of class, and $273.00 on the Thursday of the third week of class.