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Program Description

EC3’s Department of Education approved Nurse Aid Training Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as nurse aides in healthcare settings. This comprehensive 20-day program includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience at an off-site clinical location.  Students who complete this program will earn eligibility to sit for the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program (NNAAP) certification exam.  The first NNAAP exam attempt is covered in the cost of the course, however any retests are at the student’s own expense.

Classes will run Monday-Thursday for a period of 5 weeks.  New classes will begin every 5 weeks.  Enrollment is limited, and students who meet compliance with the pre-admission health and safety requirements will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.   All other students will be placed on a wait list for the upcoming program start dates.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in basic nursing skills such as taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, and providing personal care to patients.
  2. Understand and apply infection control principles to maintain a safe and clean healthcare environment.
  3. Effectively communicate with patients, their families, and members of the healthcare team.
  4. Demonstrate empathy, compassion, and respect for patients' rights and dignity while providing care.
  5. Apply knowledge of safety and emergency procedures in a healthcare setting.
  6. Prepare and assist patients with mobility and positioning as per their individual needs.
  7. Understand and adhere to ethical and legal standards in the healthcare industry.
  8. Prepare for state certification exam to become a certified nurse aide.

Upcoming Start Dates

June 2, 2025-July 7th, 2025

July 14, 2025-August 14th, 2025

August 25, 2025-September 29, 2025

October 6, 2025-November 6, 2025

 

Days 1–11: Classroom instruction from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM in Room 211, West Campus

Days 12–20: Clinical rotations at assigned clinical sites from 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM

 

Note: Transportation to off-site clinical locations is the responsibility of the student.  EC3 students can receive free bus passes if needed, with their student ID.

Costs

Tuition: $1500.00, which covers one attempt at the NNAAP exam, two sets of uniforms, books, and materials.

Out of Pocket Expenses

(Costs incurred by students that are required for enrollment in the program, not covered by tuition)

To enroll in the NATCEP training program, there are several requirements you must complete, per Pennsylvania Department of Education to be considered for enrollment. These requirements align with EC3’s clinical placement policies and are to be completed no later than 3 weeks before the program start date to be considered for enrollment.

EC3 uses American Data Bank (Complio) for students to order several of the health and safety requirements needed to be enrolled in the NATCEP training program.  Students will need to create an account with Complio  to order the following requirements and upload all required documentation to their student account.

Complio Student User Guide

Item Estimated Cost
Student Account/Tracker $35.00
Criminal History Record Check $34.00
FBI Fingerprint Clearance (if PA residency is 2 concurrent years or less) $37.00
Urine Drug Screen $44.00

Note:  If a student receives a failed background check or believes they may receive a failed background check, it may be helpful to research Pennsylvania laws that allow for "setting aside" of prior convictions under certain circumstances and also Pennsylvania laws that allow for "expungement," which is the sealing of criminal records.  Until such a time a prohibited offense is removed, students would remain ineligible to enroll in the program as they must show a passed criminal background check prior to enrollment.

Students should review the list of prohibited offenses for the NATCEP program as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Health and Safety Requirements Not Ordered through Complio:

Item Estimated Cost
Physical Clearance Form Cost varies depending on insurance, co-pay, and deductible 
Two-Step TB Testing (PPD, QuantiFERON Gold, or Chest X-Ray) Cost varies depending on insurance, co-pay, and deductible 

The physician clearance form is located in the document's library section in your Complio student account.  Download the document and take it to your clinical provider to complete, then upload the signed form into Complio.

Students can upload documentation from their clinical provider showing a record of a NEGATIVE  two-step TB testing result or QuantiFERON Gold Titer.  Students who have had prior positive results for TB are required to show evidence of a chest x-ray with a result of no active TB.   

All results and clearances must be recent and within 6 months of the start date of the program.

How to Get Started

  • Attend an Information Session, held every Thursday from 3:30 pm to 4:30pm beginning May 15, 2025.
  • Complete the Nurse Aid Registration Form
    • Upload proof of residency.
    • List of approved documents for residency: State issued driver's liscense, state issued photo ID, military ID, passport, REAL ID
  • Monitor your email for receipt of registration and instructions for next steps.  Students will all be placed on a wait list upon registration until all health and safety requirements are met.  Once health and safety requirements are met, students will move from the wait list to enrolled in the program, with an identified program orientation date and program start date.  Seating is limited per cohort and once a cohort gets filled to capacity, students will be moved to the next available start date.

For More Information