Are you a Certified Nurse Assistant looking to expand your expertise and take your career to the next level? The evolving healthcare landscape demands specialized skills, particularly in acute care settings. Our Acute Care Skills Program is meticulously designed to equip you with the advanced competencies needed to excel in hospitals and sub-acute care facilities. This locally approved certificate program bridges the gap between your existing nursing assistant skills and the rigorous demands of acute care environments.
This comprehensive program focuses on adapting your foundational nursing abilities to meet the specific needs of patients in acute care. Key areas of focus include enhanced communication techniques, advanced patient assessment and observation skills, precise reporting methods, and the reinforcement of essential procedures tailored for acute settings. The curriculum is structured to provide a robust learning experience, incorporating practical demonstrations of critical skills and supervised hands-on practice within real acute care clinical environments.
Program Highlights and Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of our acute care skills program, you will achieve demonstrable competencies, including:
- Patient-Centered Acute Care: Deliver high-quality, safe, and patient-focused care, aligning with state-mandated theory and clinical modules for acute care nursing assistants.
- Ethical and Professional Practice: Apply ethical, legal, and professional principles in your role as an acute care nursing assistant.
- Collaborative Healthcare Team Member: Work effectively under the guidance of licensed vocational or registered nurses, contributing as a vital part of the healthcare team.
- Empathetic and Sensitive Care Delivery: Demonstrate caring behaviors and acute care nursing assistant skills that positively influence patient health outcomes, while showing sensitivity to diverse patient values.
- Effective Team Collaboration: Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Critical Thinking in Emergencies: Utilize critical thinking principles to proactively recognize and report potential emergencies within the fast-paced acute care setting.
- Technology Integration in Healthcare: Employ technology proficiently to execute designated tasks and enhance skill application in modern healthcare environments.
Curriculum Structure
To earn your Acute Care Nursing Assistant certificate, you will complete the following curriculum components:
Core Nursing Assistant Training:
- Group 1:
- NNA-80 – Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP): This foundational course provides 6 units of comprehensive nursing assistant training.
Advanced Acute Care Skills Development:
- Group 2:
- NRN-11 & NRN-11A – Foundations of Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan AND Nursing Learning Laboratory: These courses combine to offer 9 units (8.5 & 0.5 respectively) of in-depth knowledge and practical lab experience in nursing practice applicable across different patient populations.
- NNA-86 – Acute Care Nurse Assistant: This specialized 2-unit course focuses specifically on acute care nurse assistant skills and protocols.
Note: Successful completion of the Nursing Assistant Program is a prerequisite for enrolling in the Acute Care Nursing Assistant (NNA-86) course.
Career Pathways After Graduation
Graduates of our acute care skills program are well-prepared for rewarding careers in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Acute Care Facilities: Hospitals, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Emergency Departments (EDs).
- Long-term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities: Providing specialized care for patients requiring ongoing medical attention.
- Home Care: Delivering advanced care in patients’ homes, extending the reach of acute care expertise.
This acute care skills program is your stepping stone to a more specialized and impactful role in healthcare. Enhance your skills, expand your career options, and become a highly valued member of the acute care team.
