Certified Nurse Aide

The Certified Nurse Aide Program will prepare you, as an entry-level nursing assistant, who will achieve a level of knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to provide basic care to residents of long-term care facilities. Topics include resident’s rights, communication, safety, observation, reporting and assisting residents in maintaining basic comfort and safety. Emphasis will be placed on effective interaction with members of the healthcare team. You will be eligible to sit for the Texas Registry examination. (100 hrs.) Clinical experience: Typically, staff will schedule your Certified Nurse Aide clinical experience during the regular class schedule. However, due to the clinical facility’s availability, certain changes may affect your clinical schedule. You must have flexibility in your schedule in order to fulfill clinical requirements. This applies to students enrolling in day OR night classes.

Prerequisite: 16 years of age, submission of a criminal background authorization form and proof of all required immunizations prior to the registration deadline. Please note that the TB test takes several days to read and is valid for one year.

Supplies: Textbook provided. Information regarding proper uniform (scrubs and shoes) will be provided on the first day of class (not included in the price of tuition).

Criminal Background Requirements: For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please check with the Texas Nurse Aide Registry by calling 1-512-438-2050. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Criminal Background Requirements: Use the number above to obtain information on official regulations and guidelines for nurse aides, clarify information about the Registry, change your name once you are on the Registry, obtain information about transferring to or from other states. Additional information can be found at https://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/licensing-credentialing-regulation/credentialing/nurse-aide-registry

Nurse Aide Background Checks: Nurse Aide students will be required to submit to a criminal background check PRIOR to the registration deadline. A criminal background check authorization form may be acquired ONLY from Tyler Junior College at the time of registration. Tyler Junior College will be responsible for the fee and processing of the background checks. Tyler Junior College will review the results of each criminal background check to determine if you hold any offenses identified by the state that bar individuals from employment as a Certified Nurse Aide. If your background check is not clear, you will not be allowed to attend classes and will be refunded the full tuition amount. You are encouraged to obtain a list of the state offenses that would bar you from employment as a nurse aide BEFORE you enroll in the course by contacting the Texas Nurse Aide Registry at 512-438-2050.

Immunization Records and Proof of Negative TB Test:Nurse Aide students will be required to document proof of all required immunizations. If you are involved in direct patient care, you must have the first dose of the three-dose series of Hepatitis B before attending classes (See registration deadlines). If you cannot show proof of the Hepatitis B vaccine immunization prior to the registration deadline, you will not be allowed to attend classes. You should provide an original copy of the completed shot record to the registration office at Tyler Junior College. In addition, you must provide proof of a negative TB skin test (Reminder: Allow for 3 days to read the test prior to the registration deadline). If the skin test is positive, you must take a chest X-Ray. If the X-ray Test is negative, you may attend classes. If the chest X-ray is positive, you will be dropped from the course while treatment occurs. If you have a positive TB test or chest X-ray, you may be enrolled in a future course, but will be required to provide proof of negative TB test one week prior to the beginning of the first class day (see registration deadlines).

*Exam Policy: Cell phones can be used to communicate with people and access Internet sites. Thus using a cell phone is in direct violation of the academic honesty policies of Tyler Junior College. Any use of a cell phone during an exam is considered an act of cheating. Students are advised not to bring cell phones to exams to avoid misunderstandings. If you must bring your phone with you to the exam, turn it off and keep it in your book bag. You may not make a call, receive a call, or keep your cell phone “in plain sight.”