September 9, 2004

BOISE STATE OFFERS NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINING IN MOUNTAIN HOME

The Selland College Center for Workforce Training at Boise State University will offer a nursing assistant training program starting Sept. 18 at the Elmore Medical Center in Mountain Home. “We are excited about the interest and continued demand for qualified nursing assistants,” said Larry Becker, educational program manager.  “Offering the course in Mountain Home saves two hours of commute time for most residents who until recently have been forced to travel to Boise for training.” Nursing assistants are front-line patient care providers who perform basic nursing services under the supervision of licensed nurses. “This is going to be a booming industry for years to come,” said Dr. Larry Barnhardt, dean of the Selland College of Applied Technology at Boise State. “Nursing assistant jobs are plentiful in hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, acute care settings, private homes and outpatient settings. As the baby boomers continue to age, they will require continued care. The industry is stable and jobs are available nationwide.” Nursing assistant positions include nursing aides, nursing attendants, orderlies, home health aides, personal care attendants and patient care technicians. Many students use nursing assistant training as a first step into other health care careers such as emergency medical technician, licensed practical nurse and registered nurse. The training, which will be held on Saturdays, 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. Participants are encouraged to register early, as enrollment is limited.  The cost is $475. For  more information call the Selland College Center for Workforce Training at (208) 426-1974 or 1-888-238-7171. -30- Contact: Larry Becker, Center for Workforce Training, (208) 426-1840, lbecker@boisestate.edu                                                              Media Contact: Sherry Squires, communications and marketing, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu Online at: http://news.boisestate.edu. About the Selland College of Applied Technology The Selland College of Applied Technology at Boise State University offers personal, practical and fast training in dozens of high-demand career fields. Degree programs range from culinary arts to semiconductor manufacturing to automotive repair. The Selland College serves more than 1,000 Treasure Valley students enrolled in credit programs and over 6,000 non-credit students each year in both Nampa and Boise, as well as distance-learning programs in some other Idaho locations. For more information about Selland College training programs, call 208-426-1431 or visit http://selland.boisestate.edu. About the Center for Workforce Training The Center for Workforce Training, a division of the Selland College of Applied Technology at Boise State University, is a premier source for innovative, short-term, non-credit, career-related training in the Treasure Valley. The Center offers classes in many of today’s top fields: health care, construction, industrial, business and many more. Classes range from customer service improvement to travel agent certification, from carpentry apprenticeships to computer training. With its broad range of topics and reasonable prices, the Center has attracted employers and workers alike. For more information, call 208-426-1974.