Healthcare Assistant/Nurse Aide
settingsCNA’s play a vital role in today’s healthcare environment, assisting the medical staff and also providing physical care and emotional and spiritual support for patients, truly making a difference in the lives of patients and families.
Overview
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play a vital role in patient care, working under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to provide essential, hands-on support.
OFTC’s Nurse Aide program teaches students core caregiving skills such as assisting patients with bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility, and personal hygiene. Students also earn CPR certification and complete hands-on training that prepares them for real-world healthcare settings.
The program can be completed in just two semesters, with CNAs finding rewarding careers in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health care.
Programs
Health Care Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit
Healthcare Assistant/Nurse Aide
Certificate of Credit
3 Semesters
The Health Care Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit is a program that provides academic foundations at the diploma level in communications, mathematics, and human relations, as well as technical fundamentals. Program graduates are trained in the underlying fundamentals of health care delivery and are well prepared for employment and subsequent upward mobility.
The HOPE Career Grant is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. Learn More
Interdisciplinary Studies – Allied Health Associate of Applied Science Degree
Healthcare Assistant/Nurse Aide
Associate of Applied Science Degree
5 Semesters
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies allows customization of the program of study based on each student’s academic and professional goals. The program curriculum may be strategically selected to build upon the student’s goals and objectives.
Nurse Aide Technical Certificate of Credit
Healthcare Assistant/Nurse Aide
Certificate of Credit
2 Semesters
The Nurse Aide Technical Certificate of Credit prepares students with classroom training and practice as well as the clinical experiences necessary to care for patients in various settings including general medical and surgical hospitals, nursing care facilities, community care facilities for the elderly, and home health care services. Students who successfully complete the Nurse Aide Technical Certificate of Credit may be eligible to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment program (NNAAP) which determines competency to become enrolled in the State nurse aide registry.
The HOPE Career Grant is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. Learn More
Features
Job Stability & Security
Unlike other jobs in the medical field, becoming a nursing assistant doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree. However, you will need to go through state-approved formal training and pass your state’s competency exam in order to work in this field.
Employment of nursing aides is projected to grow 8.3% from 2020 to 2030. Training only takes a short time, so you can get to work sooner.
Little or No Cost to You
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
Tuition & Fees
With tuition at $107 per credit hour, total costs for Health Care Assisting/Nurse Aide department programs range from:
- Tuition & Fees*: $1,962.00 – $7,093.00
- Books & Supplies*: $225.00
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
Advancement Opportunities
While some CNAs will stay in the role, others may consider the position to be a stepping stone to another healthcare career such as LPNs or RNs.
CNAs who want to delve into other branches of the nursing field could find potential job growth, increased pay, added responsibilities, and opportunities to explore areas of healthcare that interest them as they pursue higher nursing degrees.
Locations
Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.
Online
Admissions
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions!
Admissions Process
Your admissions application can be submitted online with your $25.00 non-refundable application fee and takes just a few minutes to complete.
- Submit a completed application and application fee.
- Submit official high school transcript, GED transcript, or official college transcripts, if applicable.
- Submit official entrance score on a validated assessment instrument, if applicable. Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its required minimum scores.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at https://studentaid.gov/ and HOPE Application at www.GAfutures.org using OFTC School Code: 031555.
General Requirements
- Be at least 17 years of age (HCA); be at least 16 years of age (Nurse Aide).
Need More Info?
For more information about any of these programs, contact a program advisor:
Sandersville Program Advisor
Dublin Program Advisor
Louisville Program Advisor
For additional information on admission to OFTC, contact the Office of Admissions:
Sandersville Office of Admissions
Dublin Office of Admissions
Learning Format
Students can enter the Health Care Assistant or Nurse Aide program any semester — because when you’re ready to start on your path towards a new career and change your life, there’s no reason to wait.
Classes are offered in a variety of formats: on campus, blended, online asynchronous, and synchronous technology.
On Campus
These are courses that are taught primarily in the classroom or lab with less than 50% of instruction online. On campus courses may include lecture, labs, internships, clinicals, and other in-person instructional modalities.
Blended
Blended courses are distance learning courses with the majority of the course content, activities, and interactions occurring online but may require students to come to campus for specific assignments, activities, or events.
Online Asynchronous
These are courses that are taught fully online asynchronously with course content, activities, and interactions occurring entirely online. This delivery method does not require students to be online at a specific date or time, and students may participate in class activities and complete course assignments asynchronously. Online asynchronous courses require proctored events.
Synchronous Technology
OFTC also utilizes synchronous technology to offer courses via distance education means. The course is taught on one campus and then broadcast simultaneously to a classroom on a different campus that is monitored by a class proctor.
Flexible Schedule
We want you to get the most out of college and understand the pressure it adds to your life. At OFTC you can achieve your career goals and fit college into your lifestyle. We offer small class sizes and flexible scheduling.
Courses for our programs are offered during the morning, afternoon, and evenings – plus many are online where you can do your work any time of day.
And the personalized hands-on attention you receive in a small classroom setting allows you to get individualized support, focus and feedback from your instructors. Your instructors will get to know you and help you build the foundation and confidence needed for success in your field.
Apply TodayPaying for College
At OFTC, we realize that many students require financial assistance to achieve their academic goals. We’ll work with you to help you obtain financial aid to assist you in funding your education. We’re committed to helping you find ways to pay for this life-changing investment.
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
Financial Aid
OFTC offers several financial aid opportunities that can help you pay for college. Most students apply for federal and state aid, including the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship & Grant, and HOPE Career Grant.
OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.
Sandersville
Dublin
Georgia awarded over $934 million in scholarships in AY24
of OFTC students have some form of scholarship in AY24
OFTC students received over $8.4 million in financial assistance in FY25
More than 75% of OFTC students received some sort of Financial Aid in AY24
Contact
Sandersville
Dublin
Tuition & Fees
With tuition at $107 per credit hour, total costs for Health Care Assisting/Nurse Aide department programs range from:
- Tuition & Fees*: $1,962.00 – $7,093.00
- Books & Supplies*: $225.00
New Price Calculator
You can also use the Net Price Calculator to get estimated net price information based on what similar students paid in a previous year.
Career Outlook
Students who successfully complete the Nurse Aide certificate program would be ideal candidates for a job as a nursing assistant in a nursing home, hospital, home health care, or hospice.
BLS.GOV
Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers (postsecondary nondegree award)
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
- 2024 Median Annual Pay: $39,430
- Job Outlook: 4% through 2033
What does this mean to you?
CNA’s are needed and the skills obtained to become one provide foundational knowledge to those interested in the nursing field.
Learn Morejob placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY23)
in-field job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY23)
of OFTC students enrolled are First Generation college students (AY24)
Program Benefits
Skills Learned
- Clean and bathe patients
- Help patients use the toilet and dress
- Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs
- Listen to and record patients’ health concerns and report that information to nurses
- Measure patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
- Serve meals and help patients eat
Job Titles
- Nursing Assistant
- Orderly
- Personal Care Aide
Diverse Settings
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
- Hospitals; state, local, and private
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly
- Home healthcare services
“OFTC's nurse aide program prepared me to give the proper care to my patients through various labs and hands-on learning opportunities. I believe it fully prepared me for and gave me greater insight into what a nursing career would entail. I would strongly recommend taking OFTC's Nurse Aide program prior to furthering your nursing career to gain a solid foundation in properly caring for your patients.”