Nurse Aide Program Overview

Nurse Aide Program Overview
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) offers a 120-hour, noncredit Nurse Aide Certificate program designed to prepare students for entry-level direct-care work in healthcare settings. 
The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and focuses on the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to care for patients and residents under the supervision of a nurse. 
Program structure
The training is conducted in person and combines three components:
• 48.75 hours of theory covering foundational nurse-aide knowledge.
• 32.75 hours of laboratory training where students practice essential care skills.
• 38.5 hours of clinical experience in a long-term-care setting. 
The program is intensive; depending on the class schedule, students can complete the training in approximately 18 days. Attendance is particularly important because students cannot miss class from orientation through the beginning of clinical training. 
Skills and responsibilities
Students learn basic patient-care skills such as assisting with bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, and mobility; measuring vital signs; providing catheter care and range-of-motion exercises; making beds; transporting residents; and following infection-control and safety procedures. The program also emphasizes resident rights and compassionate care. 
Cost and requirements
The tuition is $1,875. Students will receive a textbook to use during the program and must be returned at the conclusion. The Pennsylvania nurse aide competency examination carries an additional fee of $135, subject to change. 
Students may request a full refund of the paid tuition up to one (1) business day prior to the start of class. Refunds will NOT be issued once the class has started.
Students must be at least 16 years old before the first day of class. HACC also requires pre-admission clearances, including health and background documentation; students who have not lived in Pennsylvania for the previous two consecutive years may need an FBI background report. 
Certification and career preparation
After successfully completing the 120-hour program, students receive a HACC certificate and become eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination, administered by Credentia. Passing the examination allows the graduate to pursue placement on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. 
The training is intended to prepare graduates for nurse-aide positions in long-term-care facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare facilities. HACC offers training at its Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York campuses as well as at other healthcare-facility locations throughout Pennsylvania.Nurse Aide Program Overview

Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) offers a 120-hour, noncredit Nurse Aide Certificate program designed to prepare students for entry-level direct-care work in healthcare settings. 

The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and focuses on the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to care for patients and residents under the supervision of a nurse. 

Program Structure:

The training is conducted in person and combines three components:

  • 48.75 hours of theory covering foundational nurse-aide knowledge.
  • 32.75 hours of laboratory training where students practice essential care skills.
  • 38.5 hours of clinical experience in a long-term-care setting.

The program is intensive; depending on the class schedule, students can complete the training in approximately 18 days. Attendance is particularly important because students cannot miss class from orientation through the beginning of clinical training.
Skills and Responsibilities: Students learn basic patient-care skills such as assisting with bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, and mobility; measuring vital signs; providing catheter care and range-of-motion exercises; making beds; transporting residents; and following infection-control and safety procedures. The program also emphasizes resident rights and compassionate care.
Cost and Requirements: Tuition is $1,875. Students will receive a textbook to use during the program and must be returned at the conclusion. The Pennsylvania nurse aide competency examination carries an additional fee of $135, subject to change.

Students may request a full refund of the paid tuition up to one (1) business day prior to the start of class. Refunds will NOT be issued once the class has started.

Students must be at least 16 years old before the first day of class. HACC also requires pre-admission clearances, including health and background documentation; students who have not lived in Pennsylvania for the previous two consecutive years may need an FBI background report.
Certification and Career Preparation:

After successfully completing the 120-hour program, students receive a HACC certificate and become eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination, administered by Credentia. Passing the examination allows the graduate to pursue placement on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. credentia.com/testtakers/pa/

The training is intended to prepare graduates for nurse-aide positions in long-term-care facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare facilities. HACC offers training at its Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York campuses as well as at other healthcare-facility locations throughout Pennsylvania.
Required Admission Paperwork: The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires specific pre-admission paperwork and clearances before you can be accepted into the Nurse Aide Program.

Please complete the requirements listed below 4–6 weeks before the class you wish to attend. All paperwork must be submitted to the HACC Nurse Aide Program for review before you can register.

Please see the instructions provided for each requirement carefully before completing your paperwork (instructions are listed in the back of the student handbook).  https://www.hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/Programs/HealthCareers/upload/2027-NA-Student-Handbook-10-26.pdf

You are responsible for making sure that all required documents, clearances, and health requirements are completed and submitted on time.

Please Note:

  • Incomplete or inaccurate paperwork will need to be corrected before you can register.
  • Some requirements may not apply to every student. Please review each item carefully.
  • Estimated costs are out-of-pocket expenses and are subject to change.
  • If you have questions about any of the requirements, please contact the HACC Nurse Aide Office at nurseaide@hacc.edu.

Admission Paperwork includes:

  • Health Examination Form
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
    • You must provide one of the following:
    • A 2-step Mantoux (PPD) test, or
    • A negative IGRA laboratory result, or
    • A negative chest X-ray
    • Estimated out-of-pocket cost: $49
  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Report
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Background Check
    • Only required if you have not lived in Pennsylvania continuously for the past two years.
    • Estimated out-of-pocket cost: $25.25
    • Use this link to request: https://uenroll.identogo.com/
  • Flu Vaccine
    • A flu vaccine may be required for your clinical placement.
    • Some clinical facilities require the flu vaccine even outside of flu season.
    • Please contact the HACC Nurse Aide Office to determine whether a flu vaccine is required for your assigned clinical location.
    • Estimated out-of-pocket cost: $25
  • Identification (ID)
    • You must provide two (2) forms of identification.
    • At least one form of identification must show your current address.
    • Acceptable identification may include a driver’s license, passport, or state-issued ID
  • Student Handbook Acknowledgement
Essential Requirements: All individuals who apply for admission to the Nurse Aide Program, including individuals with disabilities, must be able to perform the essential functions of the program with or without reasonable accommodation.

The Nurse Aide Training Program requires students to perform certain physical, cognitive, communication, and interpersonal tasks necessary to safely participate in classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities. These essential qualifications are important for providing safe and effective care to residents.

The essential qualifications listed in the student handbook https://www.hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/Programs/HealthCareers/upload/2027-NA-Student-Handbook-10-26.pdf describe the abilities and professional behaviors necessary to participate in, progress through, and successfully complete the HACC Nurse Aide Program. Students are expected to review these requirements carefully and ask questions about any activity or function they do not understand.

If you believe you may have a limitation that could affect your ability to meet any of these requirements, you are encouraged to discuss your individual situation with the Program Coordinator. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable requirements.
Questions?

Please contact the HACC Nurse Aide Office:

Phone: (717) 221-1751

Email: nurseaide@hacc.edu

Please see the course offerings below- listed by Location

All paperwork must be submitted to the HACC Nurse Aide Program for review before you can register.

Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village

Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village

 Ephrata Manor

Ephrata Manor

 HACC Harrisburg

HACC Harrisburg
HACC Lancaster

HACC Lancaster

 Maple Farm

Maple Farm

 Maybrook Hills

Maybrook Hills
Milton Nursing & Rehab

Milton Nursing & Rehab

 Nottingham Village

Nottingham Village

 Thornwald Home

Thornwald Home