Nurse Aide Certificate
Nurse Aide Certificate
Train for a meaningful healthcare career as a Certified Nurse Aide without leaving Southeast Texas. LSCPA's Nurse Aide program gives you hands-on experience providing direct patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health settings, with state-approved training that local employers recognize and respect. You'll gain practical skills that translate directly into better job prospects and a clear path into the nursing field. Start your path toward a stable, rewarding future in patient care.
Top Careers as a Certified Nurse Aide
Earning your state certification as a nurse aide opens avenues to work alongside other healthcare professionals in a clinical setting. For many, this certificate is the first step into the nursing field. Most professionals start in entry-level direct care, building the experience these careers demand.Many nurse aides use this foundation to pursue further training as an LVN or RN. These first jobs give you the hands-on skills to grow into a stable, rewarding healthcare career.
LSCPA's hands-on training builds the exact skills Southeast Texas employers want, opening the door to steady, in-demand work. Certified Nurse Aides earn a median wage of $35,110 in Southeast Texas and $37,500 statewide, with experienced aides reaching closer to $47,500 a year. Entry-level positions give you a solid start, while added experience and further training as an LVN or RN can lead to higher pay and greater responsibility. With job growth projected at over 13% across Texas, it's a clear, practical route to a stable and rewarding future in patient care.
Schedule a Meeting
Shalanda Allen, LVN
Nurse Aide Program Instructor
Health & Science Building, Office 234A
Phone:409-984-6363
Email: allensr@lamarpa.edu
Eursula Davis
Program Director – Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aide
Health & Science Building, Office 113
Phone: 409-984-6364
Email: davise1@lamarpa.edu
Program Information
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| NURA 1301 | Nurse Aid for Health Care | 3 |
| NURA 1160 | Clinical-Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide | 1 |
| BIOL 2301 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture) | 3 |
| BIOL 2101 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (lab) | 1 |
| BIOL 2302 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture) | 3 |
| BIOL 2102 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (lab) | 1 |
| HECO 1322 | Nutrition & Diet Therapy | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Earning your Certified Nurse Aide credential at LSCPA can be the first step toward a long career in patient care, nursing, and allied health. After finishing the program, graduates can:
- Step into the workforce ready to contribute. Graduates often begin as Certified Nursing Assistants, Patient Care Assistants, Home Health Aides, or Hospice Aides — roles in steady demand at hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health agencies across Southeast Texas and beyond.
- Keep building on your training. Your Nurse Aide credential can serve as a foundation for additional allied health programs, including an Associates degree in Surgical Technology, depending on the college and your goals. LSCPA offers more than 50 degrees and certificates, so you can keep adding skills and credentials at the pace that fits your life.
- Continue toward advanced nursing roles. Many nurse aides use this experience as a stepping stone to further training, such as the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) pathway followed by the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Nursing program, which leads to a degree as a Registered Nurse.
- Grow into higher-paying positions. As you gain experience and earn added credentials, doors open to roles like Patient Care Technician, Certified Medication Aide, LVN, or RN — careers that reward dedication with greater responsibility and stronger earning potential.
With these stackable credentials, you can earn a focused nursing credential, step into the workforce, and keep building your skills and career on a timeline that fits your goals.
What is the Nurse Aide program at LSCPA?
The Nurse Aide program at LSCPA trains you to provide direct, hands-on patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health settings. The state-approved curriculum covers patient care basics, infection control and safety, monitoring vital signs, and helping patients with daily living activities like bathing, feeding, and mobility. Designed to meet Texas certification standards, it gives you the practical, job-ready skills that Southeast Texas employers know and trust.
What certifications or credentials can I earn through the Nurse Aide program?
After completing the program, you'll be prepared to take the state certification exam to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) listed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry — the credential that qualifies you for direct patient care work right away. From there, you can pursue added credentials, such as Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomist technician, or EKG technician that expand your career options and boost your earning potential.
What kind of jobs can I get with this training?
Graduates of the Nurse Aide program are ready to work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, hospice centers, and home health agencies across the region. Common roles include Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Assistant, Home Health Aide, Hospice Aide, or Certified Medication Aide (with additional training).
Is this program flexible for working adults?
Absolutely. The Nurse Aide program offers flexible scheduling built around the demands of work and family, so commuters and working adults can pursue their training without putting life on hold. An advisor can help you map out a schedule that fits your goals.
How long does it take to complete the program?
The Nurse Aide program is built to fit your life and get you working quickly. State-approved training can be completed in a single semester, putting you on the path to certification in a matter of months rather than years.
What is the salary potential for a Certified Nurse Aide?
Pay for Certified Nurse Aides reflects both your setting and your experience. According to O*Net Online data, nurse aides in Southeast Texas earn a median of $35,110 a year, while the statewide median climbs to $37,500. Entry-level aides usually start near the lower end, though experienced professionals can reach closer to $47,500 annually, with added credentials like Certified Medication Aide boosting pay further. Your earnings will depend on where you work, how much experience you bring, and the credentials you hold. Because demand stays strong — with job growth projected at over 13% across Texas — added experience and further training as an LVN or RN can move you into higher-paying roles down the road.
The LSCPA Advantage
Why start your nursing career at LSCPA? Our Nurse Aide program puts you on a direct path into high-demand patient care roles right here in Southeast Texas. You'll build real, hands-on skills through state-approved training — caring for patients, monitoring vital signs, and supporting daily living needs in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. With small classes, experienced instructors, and strong ties to local healthcare employers, LSCPA prepares you for a job-ready career at an affordable price, with a clear path toward LVN and RN roles down the road.
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