Whatcom Community College
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Nursing assistant at Whatcom
Nursing assistants contribute to the overall health and comfort level of patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities by providing basic care and help with activities of daily living.
Whatcom’s nursing assistant program consists of lectures and labs offered in the evening on campus and clinical experiences at long-term care facilities on the weekends. This eight-credit program includes 49.5 hours theory, 37 hours lab skills, and 40 hours clinical experiences. Starting fall 2024, Whatcom will implement the Washington State Common Curriculum for nursing assistant training. Whatcom Community College does not offer the Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR) Work Pathway. Students seeking to complete the NAR Work Pathway are advised to contact the Department of Health for eligible programs in the state of Washington.
Students successfully completing the program will be eligible to take the state certification exam to perform bedside care as an NAC (nursing assistant certified). Skills testing for the Nursing Assistant Certification will be offered at the end of each quarter for the program graduates. The fee for skill testing is $100 and is not included in the lab/materials fee. If the student is unsuccessful with the skill test, as determined by WABON, the student must pay $100 for another skill test at WCC or other testing facility.
Certification in other states: this program is designed to prepare students to become certified in Washington state. WCC has not researched whether the program meets the education requirements for certification in any other state. If your goal is to be certified as a nursing assistant in another state, we encourage you to check with the licensing agency in that state before you begin the program.
Costs
In addition to tuition and other general college expenses, there are additional fees and some supplies you will need to purchase or acquire for this program, as noted below:
| Tuition, fees, books, and supplies | |
| Tuition (in-state) | $1,108 |
| Materials fee (payable on enrollment) | $75 |
| Skills testing for WABON certification at end of program | $100 |
| Textbook | $47 |
| Application fee | $25 |
| Background check fee | $11 |
| PDD test (admission requirement) | $56 |
| Miscellaneous supplies (pens, pencils, etc.) | $20 |
| Scrubs (dark blue)* | $75 |
| Shoes | $75 |
| Watch (with second hand) | $40 |
| Total | $1,632 |
*Often scrubs can be found for less at Value Village, Goodwill, or online. Be sure to get dark blue.
More details can be found at Career Bridge.
As costs and information can and will change. Be sure to contact an advisor for the most current information for planning the funding of your education.
Refer to the Washington State Department of Health for the current nursing assistant certification application fee.
Complaints
Student complaints about this nursing assistant training program can be filed with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), formerly called the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/opinio/s?s=EducationComplaintForm