NAC Facts
Covid Vaccination?
All nursing care facilities where students will be doing clinical experience require full Covid 19 vaccination and documentation.
What is the TB skin test requirement?
You need to provide proof that you do not have active infectious tuberculosis (TB) before you can start your clinical experience.
How long has Nursing Assistant Training Institute been in business?
We are the oldest, private nursing assistant vocational school in Washington State. Christina Spencer, RN, established the school in 1983 and remains the Program Director. We are licensed by Workforce Training and Education Board, the Department of Health, and Department of Social and Health Services.
Do I need to purchase a textbook?
The textbook “Taking Care: A Guide for Nursing Assistants” will be provided to students on the first full day of class and is included in the price of the tuition.
What is the entrance test?
The entrance test is a 6th grade reading comprehension test. The test is given to ensure that you are able to read, write and understand English. You will be asked to read a short story and circle the correct meaning of 25 words within the story. The test contains everyday English language. The passing score is 80%. If you do not pass the test, your registration fee will be refunded. You should study English further and you can test again in four months. Everyone is required to take the entrance test, there are no exceptions.
What do I need to bring on the day of the entrance test?
You need to bring photo identification, a pen/pencil, tuition payment, and proof of your Covid Vaccination.
What do I need to bring to the in person labs?
If you have scrubs, we recommend you wear these, or loose fitting clothing. You also need to bring a pen or pencil to take notes.
Are there additional fees involved?
$100 – Testing fee for State Skills Competency test, payable to NATI.
$55 – Testing fee for the Written Competency test, payable to Credentia.
$85 – Payable to the Department of Health for the application for nursing assistant certification (NAC) after you pass the state competency test.
$85 – Payable to the Department of Health for the application for registration (NAR). You only need to apply for the NAR if you are going to work as a nursing assistant before you get your NAC License.
Gait Belt – Cost varies but is available from the school for $15.
TB Test – Cost Varies. Two-Step TB Skin Test or Quantiferon Gold Bloodtest can be completed. The 2 Step Skin Test requires 4 appointments to fully complete. If you have a positive result, you will need a Chest X-Ray. Costs vary.
Uniform – consisting of uniform shoes, pants and top (scrubs, any color). Stable closed heel and closed toe shoes. A watch with a second hand. Costs vary.
What is the difference between NAR/NAC?
NAR–Nursing Assistant Registered.
If you will be working as a nursing assistant before you become a NAC, so you need to apply for your NAR. The state requirement is that you must submit the NAR application to the Dept of Health with $85.00 within 4 days of employment.
NAC–Nursing Assistant Certified.
To be certified as a nursing assistant, you must have successfully completed the classes, clinical, and passed the state competency test. Additionally, you must send in the “Application for Certification” to the Dept. of Health with $85.00. The instructor will provide you with the NAC form on the last day of clinical.
Once you send in your application for NAR and/or NAC, you can go online to check the status of approval: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/
Click Health Care Provider, select “NAR” or “NAC”
When are clinicals scheduled?
Complete 40 hours of clinical in a nursing facility with one of our instructors. These dates are provided after the 1st or 2nd zoom class. Students must take a 4 hour clinical completion/ state test prep lab upon completion of clinical.
Background Check Requirement?
Students cannot have anything on their background check that would prevent them from working with vulnerable adults. Students will complete an online background check when they sign up for the clinical experience. If students complete the clinical hours on their own, the background check will be done through the facility.
Do you have job placement?
We do not have job placement. Many care facilities are eager to hire out students and jobs may be offered at locations where clinical is completed.
What is tuition reimbursement?
While we do not offer financial aid, you may be able to have your tuition reimbursed. If within one year of class completion you are employed in a skilled nursing home, you are eligible for tuition reimbursement. This must be a skilled nursing home that takes Medicare/ Medicaid residents. Your employer will reimburse on a quarterly basis. If you are employed for 3 months, your employer will reimburse 25% or up to 100% reimbursement if you are employed for one year.
When will I need my uniform?
We recommend wearing your uniform (Scrubs) to the skills and CPR class. You must wear the uniform for your clinical experience. The uniform can be scrubs, any color, print or pattern and stable athletic or uniform shoes. You cannot wear street clothes to your clinical. In addition to the uniform, you will also need a gait belt, and watch with a second hand.
When will skills and cpr labs be scheduled?
All registered students will receive an email 2 weeks before classes start. They may be offered any day of the week, and typically times follow the online zoom times. Weekend labs and clinicals are scheduled for weekend sessions. Our Nurse instructors will demonstrate how to do skills a nursing assistant needs to do every day on the job and have a chance to practice them. There will be a 4 hours skills challenge where you must successfully perform 3 skills at random. The skills you are taught is what you will need to know for the state competency test.
What do I need to wear to the skills classes?
We prefer students wear scrubs to skills and CPR class. If you do not have scrubs yet, please dress appropriately so you will be able to get in and out of a bed comfortably. This means stable, flat, slip-on, non-skid shoes. Please wear a loose fitting top with short sleeves that can be rolled up to the shoulder or tank top that you can wear under a hospital gown. It is necessary to wear loose fitting pants, with a belt. No skirts or nylons. A watch with a second hand is required. If you have purchased your uniform for clinical in advance, you may wear this to the skills and CPR classes.
Is there an age requirement for the NAC training?
You must be at least 18 years of age to work as an NAR.
What happens if I don’t pass the final exam or skills test during the training?
Passing score for the final exam is 80%. If you do not pass you will have 1 chance to retake a different exam within 1 week. If you still do not pass then you will need to pay the full tuition and start training from the beginning if you still want the certification.
How long do I have to complete the NAC training?
Per the Dept of Health guidelines the zoom classes, labs, and clinical MUST be completed within 3 months of starting the training.
Is there a deadline to take the state competency test?
No, once you successfully complete the training and receive your certificate of completion from us, you are eligible to schedule your state skills exam at our school. The state written exam can be done on your computer or a test center location. The sooner you take your state exams, the more likely you will pass on your first attempt. Students have up to 4 chances to pass the skills and the written exam. You do need to pay for every attempt.