Bucks County Community College announced that its Nurse Aide Training Program classes scheduled to begin March 30 and April 4 have been canceled amid closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Program coordinator Karen Souvigney urged prospective students to check bucks.edu/nurseaide for announcements as to when the programs will be offered again.
“There is likely to be even more demand for trained, certified healthcare workers when the coronavirus pandemic passes, and we look forward to resuming this important training in the near future,” said Souvigney.
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.
“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 more than $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.
To learn more about the Nurse Aide Training Program at Bucks, including registration requirements, visit bucks.edu/nurseaide, or contact the Nurse Aide Training Program Coordinator at nurseaide@bucks.edu.
