Healthcare Assistant / Nurse Aide

CNA’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) work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), performing entry-level patient care tasks. 

Students enrolled in OFTC’s Nurse Aide Program learn foundational patient care skills like assistance with bathing, dressing, feeding, using the restroom, and ambulating. They also participate in certified CPR training. OFTC’s Nurse Aide program can be completed in two semesters. CNAs are often found working in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and can also work in home health. 

Features

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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. 

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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.  

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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 suppliesCosts are estimated and are subject to change. 

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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

Campuses

Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.

Visit  www.OFTC.edu/programs/ to view each individual program and the OFTC campus where it is taught, in part or in its entirety.

Dublin Campus (South)
560 Pinehill Road
Dublin, GA 31021
Phone: (478) 275-6589
Sandersville Campus (North)
1189 Deepstep Road
Sandersville, GA 31082
Phone: (478) 553-2050
Jefferson County Center
1257 Warrior Trail
Louisville, GA 30434
Phone: (478) 625-1901

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.   

 

  1. Submit a completed application and application fee. 
  2. Submit official high school transcript, GED transcript, or official college transcripts, if applicable. 
  3. 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. 
  4. 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. 

NOTE: The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy. 

General Requirements

 

  1. Be at least 17 years of age (HCA); be at least 16 years of age (Nurse Aide).

 

Additional admissions requirements unique to each program are listed on each individual program page in the OFTC Catalog 

Need More Info?

 

  • For more information about any of these programs, contact a program advisor: 
    • 478-553-2100 (Sandersville) 
    • 478-296-6141 (Dublin) 
    • 478-625-7238 (Louisville) 
  • For additional information on admission to OFTC, 
contact the Office of Admissions: 
    • 478-553-2064 (Sandersville)
    • 478-275-6589 (Dublin) 
Apply Today

Learning Format

Students can enter the Health Care Assistant or Nurse Aide program any semester — because when you are ready to start on the path to 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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Today

Paying 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.  

  • 478-553-2131 (Sandersville) 
  • 478-274-7833 or 478-274-7940 (Dublin)
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$
841
M
Georgia awarded over $841 million in scholarships in AY23
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65.2
%
of OFTC students have some form of scholarship in AY23
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$
6.6
M
OFTC students received over $6.6 million in financial assistance in AY23
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93.6
%
of OFTC's students received some form of Financial Aid in AY23

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.

Contact

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. 

NET 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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 

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 

Nursing Assistants and Orderlies 

  • 2023 Median Annual Pay: $38,139 
  • Job Outlook: 4% through 2032

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 More
99.9
%
job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY22)
87.8
%
in-field job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY23)
48.7
%
of OFTC students enrolled are First Generation college students (AY23)

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 

Graduate Testimonials

“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.” 

Sharon Bazemore
OFTC Graduate