Nurse Aide Certificate Program

Shalanda Allen, LVN
Instructor
Education II Building, Office 104
Phone: (409) 984-6363
Email: allensr@lamarpa.edu

Eursula Davis
Instructor/Nurse Aide Program Director
Allied Health Building, Office 117
Phone: (409) 984-6364
Email: davise1@lamarpa.edu

The Nurse Aide Certificate program prepares students for an exciting career in healthcare, providing the technical skills and clinical applications necessary to obtain state certification. Strong earning potential and solid career opportunities await you as a Certified Nurse Aide. The CNA certification can also be a stepping-stone to other jobs in healthcare.

What does the CNA Program offer?

The Nurse Aide Certificate Program provides an opportunity for hands-on care and the performance of routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. Students learn basic caregiving skills, infection control, communication techniques, and safety procedures. The program requires classroom hours, laboratory practice, and participation in a clinical experience. Successful completion of the program may qualify the student to complete the competency evaluation program examination, currently offered through Prometric Testing facilities, to become certified and placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.

Lamar State College Port Arthur is an approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program through the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Is there a certification offered?

Upon successful completion of all course elements, students are eligible to take the competency evaluation program examination, currently offered through Prometric Testing facilities, to become certified and placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry. Nurse aides who pass the written and clinical skills exams will be titled a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).

What types of duties does a CNA perform?

A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) responsibilities may include answering calls for help, delivering messages, serving meals, making beds, and tidying up patients' rooms. CNAs may also be responsible for taking a patient’s temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, or blood pressure. They also help provide care to patients by helping them get into and out of bed and walk, escorting them to operating and examining rooms, or providing assistance with personal care.

Where do CNAs usually find jobs?

Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) are often employed in long term care facilities, assisted living facilities, acute care facilities, home health agencies, hospice agencies, and other agencies where personal care may be needed. CNAs often have more contact with residents than do other members of the staff.

Job Outlook for CNAs?

According to the 2021 U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Outlook the job outlook for Certified Nurse Aides will increase 8% from 2020 – 2030 as fast as the average for all occupations.

Lamar State College Port Arthur's program is designed to support the local opportunities for Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) so that our students can enter the workforce as soon as possible. The DOL provides the estimated annual salary for Certified Nurse Aides within Texas on average is $30,620.  The salary may range dependent upon whether you choose to work for the local government, employment services, general medical or surgical hospitals, nursing care facilities or community care facilities for the elderly.  Texas is ranked in the top four states in the United States with employing Certified Nurse Aides.

First Steps

If interested a student should apply to Lamar State College Port Arthur and meet with an Enrollment Service Counselor. You should plan for a few additional expenses beyond tuition and books. Once you are ready to begin the Nurse Aide course additional expenses may include: immunizations, scrubs, a criminal background check, completion of a CPR course, and an assessment kit that includes a blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, penlight, thermometer, and bandage scissors.

The criminal background check must be completed prior to enrolling in the Nurse Aide course. You may begin the process by following the instructions on the CastleBranch How to Place Order form.