EC3 Launches High-Demand Nurse Aide Training Program
Erie, PA – May 13, 2025 - Erie County Community College (EC3) is proud to announce the launch of a new state-approved nurse aide training program. The Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) is a five-week course designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as nurse aides in assisted living facilities in Erie County.
"Our new nurse aide training program reflects a need in the Erie community to staff more healthcare professionals at local assisted living facilities", says Jennifer Kline, associate dean of academics at EC3.
Participants of this program will learn to demonstrate basic nursing skills such as taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, and providing personal care to patients. They will also learn how to communicate with patients, their families, and other healthcare staff while preparing for state certification to become a certified nurse aide.
The new nurse aide program joins EC3's behavioral health services and surgical technology degrees and the Patient Care Technician (PCT) certificate program in its Allied Health department. Director of Allied Health at EC3, Bailey Shafer, says, "Our goal is to get as many qualified professionals as possible into the healthcare field to fill needs all over Erie County."
Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday over five weeks, with new sessions beginning every five weeks. Enrollment is limited and based on a first-come, first-served basis for students who meet the pre-admission health and safety requirements.
Upcoming Start Dates:
- July 14 – August 14, 2025
- August 25 – September 29, 2025
- October 6 – November 6, 2025
Program Schedule:
- Days 1–11: Classroom instruction from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at EC3's West Campus, Room 211
- Days 12–20: Clinical rotations at assigned clinical sites from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Tuition for the program is $1,500, which covers one attempt at the NNAAP exam, two sets of uniforms, books, and materials. Additional out-of-pocket expenses apply for pre-admission requirements, which must be completed no later than three weeks before the program start date.
An information session will be held weekly on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. beginning May 15, 2025.
EC3 students are eligible for free bus passes with their student ID to assist with transportation to off-site clinical locations.
For more information, please visit EC3's Nurse Aide Training Program webpage.
About Erie County Community College (EC3)
Founded in 2021, Erie County Community College (EC3) is a pioneering educational institution dedicated to providing affordable and accessible higher education and workforce training to the residents of Erie County and beyond. EC3 offers a wide range of programs, including associate degrees and technical certificates, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's workforce or continue their education at four-year universities. EC3 is committed to developing dynamic learners who contribute to Erie County's economic growth. Through innovative education and partnerships with local industries, EC3 aims to create a thriving community of lifelong learners and workforce-ready graduates. For more information, visit www.ec3pa.org.
Founded in 2021, Erie County Community College (EC3) is a pioneering educational institution dedicated to providing affordable and accessible higher education and workforce training to the residents of Erie County and beyond. EC3 offers a wide range of programs, including associate degrees and technical certificates, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's workforce or continue their education at four-year universities. EC3 is committed to developing dynamic learners who contribute to Erie County's economic growth. Through innovative education and partnerships with local industries, EC3 aims to create a thriving community of lifelong learners and workforce-ready graduates. For more information, visit www.ec3pa.org.
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