Nursing Assistant non-credit program
(formerly called CNA)
Why choose the Nursing Assistant non-credit program at PCC?
Are you ready to join the healthcare workforce in a role that is in high demand and offers stability? Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) opens the door to a career where you’ll make a difference in patients’ lives every single day. This program is designed to help you succeed and offers a pathway to becoming a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, or physician assistant.
The Nursing Assistant program is not accepting applications. All courses are full.
Winter courses are full, and there is a waitlist for spring courses. Please check this website in late January 2026 for updates on future application processes.
stethoscope Practical in-person training
欧洲杯决赛竞猜app_欧洲杯足球网-投注|官网 your skills in both lecture and lab settings, gaining real-world experience during a clinical practicum at hospitals or skilled nursing facilities in the Portland area.
calendar check One-term program
Spend approximately 8 to 24 hours per week for just one term.
chart line In-demand
Grow the skills that will make you a vital member of the healthcare team, from compassion to effective communication and teamwork.
user nurse Career-ready preparation
Complete the program and gain the knowledge and confidence to pass the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam, which grants you certification and the ability to work as a certified nursing assistant in the state of Oregon.
What will you learn?
Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, the Nursing Assistant program teaches hands-on skills that students will use every day to provide patients with exceptional health care. After practicing these skills in a lecture and lab setting, you will put them to use in the real world during a clinical practicum at one of several hospitals, clinics, long-term care, or skilled nursing facilities in the Portland area.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to
- Pass the state board exam, which grants certification as a certified nursing assistant.
- Apply a working knowledge of a variety of human body systems, including the circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, and more.
- Understand a variety of human disease processes, including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke, and substance abuse, among many others.
- Understand standard precautions and the importance of keeping a clean and sterile environment, as well as how to prevent and halt the spread of disease by maintaining cleanliness.
- Perform a vast number of skills essential to the role of a CNA, including taking vital signs like pulse and blood pressure; helping with activities of daily living like feeding, dressing, or hair and nail care; and assisting clients with walking and range-of-motion exercises.
- Gain insight into the psychological struggles of patients and clients by listening to, empathizing with, and connecting with people.
- Understand the rights and responsibilities of nursing assistants, including which tasks they are prohibited from performing, and how to earn and maintain licensure.
- Network with nurses, doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists, and others to provide patient-centered care.
- Use effective time management to maintain a work-life balance.
- Exercise professionalism, appropriate conduct, and other skills that will help in finding, securing, and maintaining long-term employment.
What to expect
- The fulfillment of clinical requirements, such as a CPR class provided by the American Heart Association specific to healthcare or Basic Life Support (BLS) providers, a background check, drug screen, immunization verification, online training modules, and an orientation before class begins are required.
- See the requirements for clinical and field education for more information.
- For spring term students funded by the grant, the CPR session will occur on the first day of class for students who have not yet completed this requirement. For courses after spring 2026, students will be responsible for completing this requirement on their own. See PCC’s CPR course offerings.
- Those who have not completed their clinical requirements prior to the course will be considered for the next course if spots are available.
- The course duration is one term.
- See the program readiness and standards page for more information.
Part I: CPR certification, lecture, and lab – 72.5 hours
- 2 hours Nursing Assistant program orientation
- 38 hours of classroom time
- 28 hours of lab skills training
- 4.5 hours for CPR certification
Learn about the principles of health care, various diseases, and body systems. Work with other students to practice skills like taking vital signs, dressing and undressing clients, and assisting with feeding.
Part II: Clinical practice experience – 40 hours
After successful completion of the lecture and lab practice in the classroom, you will move on to a clinical rotation. You will put your skills to work in the real-world at a local healthcare facility. The work experience will give you a preview of your role as part of the healthcare team.
Career information
The job outlook for nursing assistants in Portland, Oregon, is very positive. Lightcast data derived from government sources in 2025 forecasts 17.9% projected growth in jobs for nursing assistants. This growth is attributed to the aging population, increased demand for healthcare services, and the growing need for certified nursing assistants in a variety of healthcare settings. Pay ranges for nursing assistants who are certified range from $21–$32 per hour, depending on experience, shift, and location.
Note that most clinical and care facilities will not hire certified nursing assistants without United States work authorization documentation.
How much will it cost?
All tuition, fees, and other program costs will be covered by the Future Ready Oregon Grant through June 30, 2026. However, winter and spring courses covered by this grant are full.
Future course offerings will follow the college’s tuition and fees guidelines. Additionally, students can also expect to cover the required program costs below (note: these are approximations and subject to change).
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| DISA (formerly CastleBranch) fee (background check, drug testing, immunization records, OSHA, and HIPAA training) | $216 |
| BLS/CPR certification and text | $130 |
| OSBN certification exam – initial attempt | $106 |
| Fingerprinting for OSBN certification | $70.50 |
| Scrubs and equipment | $110 |
| Instructional materials (option to select electronic copy free of charge or hardcopy for $20) |
$0–$20 |
| Total costs | Approx. $650 |
Course schedule
The schedule for future courses is to be determined.
Locations
- Lecture and lab: PCC CLIMB Center, 1626 SE Water Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97214. After spring term 2026, the lecture and lab portion of the course will be held at the Sylvania Campus.
- Clinical sites: Locations are subject to change based on availability and resources
Steps to enroll
Applicants will be asked a few screening questions on the interest form linked below and will be informed in three to four weeks of the application due date of their status in the program. Accepted students will complete their clinical requirements (drug screen, background check, vaccination verification, and online training modules) and meet with a Career Pathways coach. Upon completion of these requirements, 20 students will then be admitted to each course on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are serious about the program, take the steps below to apply. If you do not respond to emails sent to your PCC accounts, fulfill your clinical requirements in the timeline communicated, or do not attend required meetings, you will be dropped from the program and will not have the opportunity to reapply.
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Create an account
See the steps for new students to create a new account.Application timeline
Program start date Date by which all enrollment steps must be completed Winter 2026 The application period is now closed. Spring 2026 The waitlist is full. Please check back in January 2026 for application process updates. - In the application, when asked to choose between Community Education and Continuing Education, select Continuing Education.
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Set up email
You will receive a confirmation email with your PCC ID # (referred to as the G#) and username. Follow the link provided in the email to complete your setup and obtain your PCC email address.
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Submit form
The Nursing Assistant interest form is no longer available as the application period is now closed. Please check back in January 2026 for application process updates.
- After submitting the form, it is very important that you check your PCC email regularly for Nursing Assistant program updates and next steps.
- It will take 3-4 weeks to complete the screening process before students are notified of their status in the program. Please refrain from sending inquiries about your application status, as this can cause delays.
- If the class has full enrollment, additional student applicants will be notified that they have been put on a waitlist.
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Complete clinical requirements
Applicants invited to the next step of the admissions process will be asked to confirm their status in the program. Instructions about how to complete the clinical requirements will be sent to their PCC email address. The clinical requirements include the background check, drug screen, immunization verification, and training modules through CastleBranch. Be sure to check your PCC email address frequently.
- See the requirements for clinical and field education for more information.
- The American Heart Association CPR session will occur on the first day of class for students who have not yet completed this requirement.
- Those who do not complete their clinical requirements prior to the course will be considered for the next course if spots are available.
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Onboarding session
Once your clinical requirements are complete, you will be invited to meet with your PCC Career Pathways career coach to establish a College and Career Plan, set up your scholarship for tuition and support services, and enroll in the Nursing Assistant course.
Questions?
The best way to contact the Nursing Assistant program is to email the team at NA@pcc.edu.
Prior to contacting the program, please read through the following pages carefully: