Make a difference in people’s lives as a certified nursing assistant
Clackamas Community College's certified nursing assistant course is your gateway to a fulfilling career where you directly impact the well-being of others. Our program goes beyond textbook learning, providing a hands-on, supportive environment where you will develop the skills and confidence to excel as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
Imagine yourself:
- Providing comfort and support: Assisting patients with daily living activities like dressing, bathing and eating, ensuring their comfort and dignity.
- Building relationships: Communicating compassionately with patients, families and health care professionals.
- Contributing to a team: Working collaboratively with other CNAs and nurses to deliver exceptional patient care in hospitals, clinics or longterm care settings.
After successfully completing this class, you will be ready to apply for the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam for nursing assistants (CNA1).
This class is offered every term. Start your meaningful career in health care today!
A quick path to CNA certification
The Nursing Assistant 1 (NA1) course is offered each term (fall, winter, spring and summer). The one-term course consists of 72 hours of lecture and lab with an additional 45 hours of clinical experience in a long-term care center. Students begin their clinical experience during week six of the term.
Upon successful completion of this 6.5 credit class, students may apply for the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam for nursing assistants (CNA1).
Excellent career potential in a growing field
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20% growth in nursing assistant jobs by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand is fueled by an aging population and a growing need for long-term care services. With a CNA certification from Clackamas Community College, you will be positioned to enter this stable and rewarding career path.Essential skills for a rewarding CNA career
Our certified nursing assistant program equips you with the essential skills and knowledge for a rewarding health care career.
- Learn hands-on skills: Take vital signs, assist with mobility and maintain a clean and safe environment for patients.
- Gain valuable clinical experience: Participate in supervised clinical rotations at a local long-term care facility, applying your classroom learning in a real-world setting.
- Become a qualified professional: Prepare for and pass the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam, allowing you to work as a CNA in the state.
Learn more about our CNA program and start your rewarding health care career today!
Investing in your future
Clackamas Community College offers some of the lowest tuition rates in the Portland metro area. Here is a summary of the estimated costs for this program:
Nursing Assistant 1 - Estimated program costs
Tuition and fees
2026-27 academic year tuition rate
- Tuition: $136 per credit hour
- General and technical fee: $14 per credit hour
- College service fee: $40 per term
| Course | Credits | Tuition | Course fees* | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUR-100 Nursing Assistant I (Lecture) | 6.5 | $975 | $350 | $1,325 |
| NUR-100C Nursing Assistant I (Clinical) | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Tuition and fees total: $1,365
*Course fees cover the following items: background check, drug screening, lab supplies, clinical placement, stethoscope kit, blood pressure cuff, and gait belt.
Additional costs not included in tuition and fees
| Item | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mosby’s Textbook | E-book (ISBN 9780443122385) | $75 |
| Mosby’s Textbook | Paperback (ISBN 9780443121319) | $89 |
| Mosby’s Workbook (optional) | E-book (ISBN 9780443122415) | $39 |
| Mosby’s Workbook (optional) | Paperback (ISBN 9780443121333) | $46 |
| Textbook and workbook bundle | Not applicable | $135 |
| Scrub set, wine colored (2 sets) | Not applicable | Approximately $130 |
| Watch with second hand | Not applicable | Approximately $20 |
| American Heart Association CPR BLS Provider | Not applicable | Approximately $100 |
| OSBN CNA1 certification (state licensure exam) | Not applicable | $106 |
Estimated total additional costs: $491
Get help paying for college
Scholarships and grants (free money!) are available for students in this program. For help with financial aid and scholarships, contact the Financial Aid Office
Preparation before entering the program ensures success
Students who have been formally accepted into the nursing assistant program must attend a mandatory orientation. During the orientation, students will start the process for completing all non-academic requirements.
Please start collecting your vaccine records for the below list of immunizations and if accepted, be prepared to submit documentation during the orientation.
Eligibility requirements:
- 18 years of age
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Hep B, COVID-19, flu) *
- Tuberculosis test
- Criminal background check
- Drug screen
- BLS Provider CPR Certification from the American Heart Association (HP-100 will satisfy this requirement).
- * COVID-19 and Flu are recommended, but not required.
Note: A criminal background check requires a Social Security number. Students will start the criminal background check process during the orientation and upload vaccine records.
ADA accommodations
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 (ADA) mandates that reasonable accommodations must be made for individuals with disabilities. Any student who may need an accommodation for a disability should make an appointment with the program director and the Disability Resource Center.
Frequently asked questions for the nursing assistant course
What is a nursing assistant?
Nursing assistants work in a variety of health care settings by providing patients with the care they need including obtaining and recording vital signs, aiding in patient mobility, providing comfort and companionship for the patient and much more.
How competitive is CCC’s nursing assistant course?
The nursing assistant course accepts 10-20 students per cohort, dependent on faculty availability.
What modality is the nursing assistant course delivered in?
The CNA1 course consists of 6.5 credits of online lecture content, in-person lab classes and on-site clinical experiences.
How often is the nursing assistant course available?
The nursing assistant course is offered every term (dependent on faculty availability and student engagement). Information sessions are held periodically. Dates for these sessions will be posted to the nursing assistant webpage. A mandatory orientation will be held a few weeks prior to the start of the course. This is required for any student who is accepted into the program.
Is the nursing assistant course accredited?
The nursing assistant course is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. For more information on the OSBN, please visit their website: https://www.oregon.gov/osbn/pages/index.aspx.
I am interested in being a nursing assistant, but don’t know how to apply. Who can I talk to?
The nursing assistant course is housed under the Health Sciences Department, which is a part of the Health Professions Educational Focus Area. They haves two dedicated academic advisors who are knowledgeable in the NA1 application process and are available to assist you with any questions related to transfer credits, academic requirements to apply and the application process itself. You can schedule an appointment with an advisor here or you can reach out to the advisors via email:
- Phil Reid: philr@clackamas.edu
What additional requirements are needed to join the program?
The nursing assistant course follows the guidelines for Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Requirements for students in clinical practicum (409-030-0110). This includes required and recommended immunizations: Hep B, MMR, Tdap, COVID-19 and seasonal flu. It also includes a required 10-panel drug screening (to be completed after orientation into the program). A complete list of the 10-panel drug screening information can be found here. A tuberculosis screening and criminal background check (to be completed after orientation into the program) are also required. Students must also have current CPR/BLS certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
I’ve completed the nursing assistant course. Now what?
Students who successfully pass the nursing assistant course are eligible to take the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) CNA1 Licensing Exam to become a certified nursing assistant. For more information about the exam and to apply to take it, please visit: https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/801.
I am an employer looking to hire a recent graduate of the nursing assistant Course. Does CCC have a job board for students and alumni?
Yes, thank you for reaching out with employment opportunities for our students. Please find a job board to post job notices for students and alumni here: https://www.collegecentral.com/clackamas/. You will have to sign up as an employer and complete the posting, but this will share your job with a wider audience.
I want to apply to the nursing program, but I have a criminal conviction on my record. Can I still apply to the program?
Clinical Program Background Check Requirements
To enter our Nursing or Nursing Assistant programs, you must have a completely clean criminal history record, including no convictions or pending charges.
Our programs must comply with rules set by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) Divisions 21 and 61. Under our OHA compliance and affiliation agreements, we are required to disclose any criminal history to our clinical partners, and we have an agreement these facilities that only students with clean records will be placed with them.
Pre-Eligibility Review for Nursing Students
If you have a criminal history and want to know if you are eligible for a nursing license before applying to a training program, the OSBN (Division 21) offers an online predetermination review system.
You can find more information and submit a review request here: OSBN Predetermination Request. If you still have questions about your program eligibility, please contact the Director of Health Sciences.