Make a difference in people’s lives as a certified nursing assistant
Clackamas Community College's Certified Nursing Assistant course is your gateway to a fulfilling career where you directly impact the well-being of others. Our program goes beyond textbook learning, providing a hands-on, supportive environment where you will develop the skills and confidence to excel as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
Imagine yourself:
- Providing comfort and support: Assisting patients with daily living activities like dressing, bathing and eating, ensuring their comfort and dignity.
- Building relationships: Communicating compassionately with patients, families and health care professionals.
- Contributing to a team: Working collaboratively with other CNAs and nurses to deliver exceptional patient care in hospitals, clinics or longterm care settings.
After successfully completing this seven-credit class, you will be ready to apply for the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam for nursing assistants (CNA1).
This class is offered every term. Start your meaningful career in health care today!
A quick path to CNA certification
The Nursing Assistant 1 (NA1) course is offered each term (fall, winter, spring and summer).
The one-term course consists of 61 hours of lecture and lab with an additional 44 hours of clinical experience in a long-term care center. Students begin their clinical experience during week six of the term.
Upon successful completion of this seven-credit class, students may apply for the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam for nursing assistants (CNA1).
Excellent career potential in a growing field
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20% growth in nursing assistant jobs by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand is fueled by an aging population and a growing need for long-term care services. With a CNA certification from Clackamas Community College, you will be positioned to enter this stable and rewarding career path.Master essential skills to become a certified nursing assistant
Learn hands-on skills: Confidently take vital signs, assist with mobility and maintain a clean and safe environment for patients.
Gain valuable clinical experience: Participate in supervised clinical rotations at a local long-term care facility, applying your classroom learning in a real-world setting.
Become a qualified professional: Prepare for and pass the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam, allowing you to work as a CNA in the state.
Investing in your future
Clackamas Community College offers some of the lowest tuition rates in the Portland metro area. Here is a summary of the estimated costs for this program:
Nursing Assistant 1- Estimated program costs | |
College tuition and fees | $904 |
Program course fees* | $300 |
Textbooks | $150 |
Extra supplies and materials | $100 (2x scrubs) $119 personal lab supplies |
Total costs | $1,454 |
*Course fees cover the following items: ACEMAPP, criminal background check, drug screening, lab supplies, clinical placement
Get help paying for college
Scholarships and grants (free money!) are available for students in this program. For help with financial aid and scholarships, contact the Financial Aid Resource Lab
Preparation before entering the program ensures success
Students who have been formally accepted into the Nursing Assistant Program must attend a mandatory orientation. During the orientation, students will start the process for completing all non-academic requirements.
Please start collecting your vaccine records for the below list of immunizations and if accepted, be prepared to submit documentation during the orientation.
Eligibility requirements:
- 18 years of age
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Hep B, COVID-19, flu)
- Tuberculosis test
- Criminal background check
- Drug screen
Note: A criminal background check requires a Social Security number. Students will start the criminal background check process during the orientation and upload vaccine records.
Program Structure
A quick path to CNA certification
The Nursing Assistant 1 (NA1) course is offered each term (fall, winter, spring and summer).
The one-term course consists of 61 hours of lecture and lab with an additional 44 hours of clinical experience in a long-term care center. Students begin their clinical experience during week six of the term.
Upon successful completion of this seven-credit class, students may apply for the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam for nursing assistants (CNA1).
Frequently asked questions for the nursing assistant course
What is a nursing assistant?
Nursing assistants work in a variety of health care settings by providing patients with the care they need including obtaining and recording vital signs, aiding in patient mobility, providing comfort and companionship for the patient and much more.
How competitive is CCC’s nursing assistant course?
The nursing assistant course accepts 10-20 students per cohort, dependent on faculty availability.
What modality is the nursing assistant course delivered in?
The CNA1 course consists of 6.5 credits of online lecture content, in-person lab classes and on-site clinical experiences.
How often is the nursing assistant course available?
The nursing assistant course is offered every term (dependent on faculty availability and student engagement). Information sessions are held periodically. Dates for these sessions will be posted to the nursing assistant webpage. A mandatory orientation will be held a few weeks prior to the start of the course. This is required for any student who is accepted into the program.
Is the nursing assistant course accredited?
The nursing assistant course is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. For more information on the OSBN, please visit their website: https://www.oregon.gov/osbn/pages/index.aspx.
I am interested in being a nursing assistant, but don’t know how to apply. Who can I talk to?
The nursing assistant course is housed under the Health Sciences Department, which is a part of the Health Professions Educational Focus Area. They haves two dedicated academic advisors who are knowledgeable in the NA1 application process and are available to assist you with any questions related to transfer credits, academic requirements to apply and the application process itself. You can schedule an appointment with an advisor here or you can reach out to the advisors via email:
- Tracy Pantano-Rumsey: tracy.pantanorumsey@clackamas.edu
- Phil Reid: philr@clackamas.edu
What additional requirements are needed to join the program?
The nursing assistant course follows the guidelines for Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Requirements for students in clinical practicum (409-030-0110). This includes required and recommended immunizations: Hep B, MMR, Tdap, COVID-19 and seasonal flu. It also includes a required 10-panel drug screening (to be completed after orientation into the program). A complete list of the 10-panel drug screening information can be found here. A tuberculosis screening and criminal background check (to be completed after orientation into the program) are also required. Students must also have current CPR/BLS certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
I’ve completed the nursing assistant course. Now what?
Students who successfully pass the nursing assistant course are eligible to take the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) CNA1 Licensing Exam to become a certified nursing assistant. For more information about the exam and to apply to take it, please visit: https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/801.
I am an employer looking to hire a recent graduate of the nursing assistant Course. Does CCC have a job board for students and alumni?
Yes, thank you for reaching out with employment opportunities for our students. Please find a job board to post job notices for students and alumni here: https://www.collegecentral.com/clackamas/. You will have to sign up as an employer and complete the posting, but this will share your job with a wider audience.