Bucks County Community College is now accepting applications for its in-demand weekend Nurse Aide Training Program.
The 10-week program meets Saturdays and Sundays, from Nov. 9-Jan 11 at the college’s Newtown Campus, 275 Swamp Road, with clinical training taking place at Pennswood Village nearby in Langhorne. The weekend schedule is ideal for those looking to change careers.
The application process, which includes obtaining background checks, may take up to a month, so interested students are urged to begin the application process as soon as possible. The deadline for all registration forms is Nov. 2.
Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the program is an intensive 120-hour course consisting of classroom instruction, laboratory experience, and hands-on training at an area clinical site.
The nurse aide functions in a number of health care settings, ranging from home care to nursing homes to hospitals, according to Karen Souvigney, program coordinator.
“The role of the nurse aide within these settings is crucial as they are the key providers of bedside care,” Souvigney said. “Nurse aide training also provides a gateway into the nursing profession. It can be considered a stepping stone for those who are considering nursing as a career path.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurse assistant occupations is immediate, with an expected job growth rate of 21 percent over the next decade. This projected growth is faster than the average for all occupations. The average starting wage can range from $14 to as high as more than $20 an hour.
Upon successful completion of the program at Bucks, students are eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Examination to enroll in the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide registry. Under a federal mandate, the $1,250 tuition cost can be reimbursed to the student by the employer, provided that the student, once certified, procures a position in a long-term care facility such as a nursing home.
To learn more about the Nurse Aide Training Program at Bucks, including registration requirements and deadlines, go to bucks.edu/nurseaide. To schedule a registration appointment, contact the Nurse Aide Training Program Coordinator at 215-968-8482 or nurseaide@bucks.edu.
