Nurse Assistant Certificate
Total Program Credits: 6
Designed to prepare nursing assistants to provide care in various health care settings under the direction of a registered nurse. The program includes development of fundamental nursing skills through lectures, laboratory activities and clinical experience. Students may also complete elective courses to gain knowledge and practical skills in ethical and legal responsibilities, medical terminology, venipuncture, and electrocardiography.
Upon successful completion of the Nurse Assistant program requirements, the graduate receives a certificate and becomes eligible to take the Illinois Nurse Aide Test, which is required for certification by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, 525 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62761, (217) 785-5133.
Program prerequisites:
- A criminal history records check is required, as prescribed by the Health Care Worker Background Check Act with no disqualifying convictions.
- Must have valid Social Security card number per the Social Security Administration (www.socialsecurity.gov).
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
- Must be able to speak and understand English.
- Must have completed at least eight years of grade school or provide proof of equivalent knowledge.
- Must read at a college level, as demonstrated by course equivalency or concurrent enrollment in RHT 101 or test at college level Reading.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Nurse Assistant Certificate, the graduate will be able to:
- Communicate accurately and appropriately, with all residents, families and staff relative to observations and care provided to residents.
- Perform basic nursing skills as delineated within the scope of practice of the certified nursing assistant.
- Safely perform personal care skills for residents to facilitate them meeting their basic needs.
- Safely perform basic restorative skills to promote residents achieving their highest level of functioning.
- Identify the psychological aspects of relocation, aging, loss, isolation, cognitive changes, and impending death.
- Provide appropriate emotional and spiritual support to promote residents’ mental health and continued involvement in social activities.
- Meet residents’ rights to quality care according to HIPPA guidelines.
(Reviewed Fall 2023)
Placement Measures
Program Map for Students
| NAS 100 # ◊ Basic Nurse Assistant | Core Course | 6 |
Meet with your Academic Advisor to create an academic plan.
Explore stackable certificate(s)/degree(s) |
| AHL 101 ◊ Essentials of Medical Terminology | Core Course | 1 |
| AHL 102 ◊ Ethics and Law for Allied Health Professionals | Core Course | 1 |
| AHL 107 ◊ Intravenous Venipuncture | Core Course | 1 |
| AHL 108 ◊ Electrocardiography | Core Course | 1 |
| AHL 110 ◊ Medical Coding and Office Procedures | Core Course | 2 |
| AHL 113 Survey of Health Careers | Core Course | 1 |
(Optional Electives should be chosen with your advisor.)
See NAS course descriptions; AHL course descriptions.
Chairperson: Natasha Gray, Ext. 3767; email: natashagray@triton.edu
KEY
(AAS/CERT) |
| General Education |
Communications, Fine Arts, Humanities, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social and Behavioral Science (see individual degree requirements). |
| Core Course |
Course(s) listed in a semester the student is required to take. |
| Program Elective |
Course(s) that faculty recommend and are listed in the ‘Program Electives’ section (if any) for this program. |
If intending to transfer, choose courses accepted by your transfer institution. |
| General Elective |
Course(s) chosen by the student, if needed, above and beyond core courses and program electives (if any), to complete the Program Total Credits. |
| ◊ symbol |
This course is articulated. (course transfers to 3 or more Illinois State schools, as an elective or equal course-to-course) |
| # symbol |
This course has a prerequisite. (course(s) student takes prior to taking this course) |