April 14, 2004

Boise State Takes Nursing Assistant Training To Mountain Home

The Selland College of Applied Technology at Boise State University has brought its Nursing Assistant (NA) program to Mountain Home for area residents interested in a high-demand medical career. Until now the popular program, which can quickly launch a graduate into an entry-level health care career, has only been available in Nampa and Boise. Now residents of Mountain Home and surrounding rural communities have local access to the same high-quality training that is offered on the Boise State campus. The 11-week program will be offered on Saturdays May 1-July 24. Nursing assistants are front-line, patient-care providers who perform basic nursing services for the ill, injured, handicapped or disabled under the supervision of licensed nurses. Nursing assistant jobs are plentiful in hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, acute care settings or private homes or outpatient settings. Nursing assistant titles may vary. They include nursing aides, nursing attendants, orderlies, home health aides, personal care attendants or patient care technicians. Few industries offer as much job security as health care, said Larry Becker, head of the NA program. “We expect — not only here at the college, but in the health care industry as well — as Americans age, the need for long-term care is going to continue increasing,” Becker said. “This is going be a booming industry for years to come. Many of our students have a job even before completion of the program.” In addition, many students use the Nursing Assistant training as a stepping stone to other health care careers, such as emergency medical technician, licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. Participants are encouraged to register early as enrollment is limited. Training includes instruction in basic nursing skills, personal care skills, mental health and social service needs, basic restorative services and patient rights. Students who complete the three-month training become eligible to take the national exam leading to status as a Certified Nursing Assistant. For more information, call the Center for Workforce Training at 426-1974 or e-mail Becker at lbecker@boisestate.edu. -30- Contact Larry Becker College of Applied Technology Center for Workforce Training 426-1840 lbecker@boisestate.edu Media Contact Sherry Squires Boise State communications and marketing 426-1563 ssquires@boisestate.edu