Bucks County Community College is accepting applications for its Nurse Aide Training Program, with classes starting in February, March and April at its three campuses.
Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the intensive 120-hour course consists of classroom instruction, laboratory experience, and hands-on training at an area clinical site.
The nurse aide functions in a number of healthcare settings, ranging from home care to nursing homes to hospitals, according to program coordinator Karen Souvigney.
“The role of the nurse aide within these settings is crucial as they are the key providers of bedside care,” said Souvigney. “Nurse aide training also provides a gateway into the nursing profession, and can be a stepping stone for those who are considering that 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 – faster than the average for all occupations. The average starting wage can range from $14 to as high as over $20 an hour.
Upon successful completion of the Bucks program, students are eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Examination to enroll in the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide registry, Souvigney added.
Three classes are now forming at the Newtown Campus, located at 275 Swamp Road: Monday, Wednesday and Friday (days), Feb. 24-April 15 (registration deadline is Feb. 17); Monday, Wednesday and Friday (days), March 30-May 22 (registration deadline is March 23); and Saturday and Sunday (days), April 4-June 21 (registration deadline is March 30).
The Upper Bucks Campus, at One Hillendale Road in Perkasie, holds an evening and weekend class on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., and some Saturdays and Sundays, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 4-May 16, with a registration deadline of Feb. 25.
Finally, the Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks, located at 1304 Veterans Highway, Bristol, hosts an evening and weekend class on Thursdays, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by some Saturdays and Sundays, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 12-June 6, with a registration deadline of March 5.
Tuition is $1,250 and payment plans are available. Enrollment forms must be turned in by the registration deadline. It is highly recommended to begin the process about a month before the deadline.
To learn more about the program, including registration requirements, visit bucks.edu/nurseaide. To schedule a registration appointment, contact the Nurse Aide Training Program Coordinator at nurseaide@bucks.edu or 215-968-8482.
