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Training for Certified Nursing Assistants Seeking Advancement

This training provides 60 hours of classroom and skills lab instructions and 28 hours of clinical practicum (88 hours total).

Classroom instruction consists of lecture, group activities, and class discussion. The skills lab provides an opportunity for students to learn, practice, and demonstrate Nursing Assistant2 Acute Care Skills.

Clinical practicum is held in the hospital setting. Upon successful completion, students will be prepared to enter the acute care workforce to assist licensed nursing personnel.

If you are a Nursing Assistant 1 who is interested in boosting your earning power and advancement potential, then Nursing Assistant2 training may be right for you!

Program Eligibility Criteria

  • Hold an unencumbered Oregon Nursing AssistantI certificate
  • Present documentation of required immunizations.
  • Pass a criminal background check and urine drug screening. Click here for a list of Oregon DHS disqualifying Crimes.

This course may be right for you if:

  • You want a position you can use as a stepping stone to become a:
    • Registered nurse
    • Physical therapy assistant
    • Other healthcare professional

You do not have to complete high school or earn a GED to become a Nursing Assistant 2, but establishing effective time-management skills and study habits are critical to the completion of this program.

Additionally, we recommend the class only to students who are highly proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.

View Application Checklist
View the Nursing Assistant 2 Program Flyer

How to Enroll

To enroll the Nursing Assistant courses, follow these steps:

  1. Review the Nursing Assistant 2 information here. Find an orientation that fits your schedule.
  2. Attend orientation! Orientations are free and must be attended before the first day of class. You can find the orientation schedule here.
Click Here to Enroll in an Orientation

Admission Requirements

  • All students are required to attend a mandatory orientation to register for the course. This is a regulation of the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
  • The first 20 students who fill out the enrollment agreement and pay for the course will be admitted.
  • A minimum of 50% of the tuition will hold a seat in the next class.

Nursing Assistant 2 Tuition & Fees

Program Tuition is $995. Fee includes textbook.

Other items needed for program:

  • Hold an unencumbered Oregon Nursing Assistant1 certificate
  • $165: Pass a criminal background check and urine drug screen
  • $125: Lab Fee
  • $35: Insurance Fee
  • Present documentation of required immunizations
  • 3 ring binder, pen & notebook paper
  • Stethoscope
  • Watch that measures seconds
  • Scrubs
  • Shoes

Program FAQs

What to Expect

How much can I expect to make as a Nursing Assistant 2?

Nursing Assistant2’s can make between $19 and $23 an hour, depending on prior work experience, employer, and clinical experience. Find out more by visiting the Oregon Employment Division website.

Do I have to have a high school diploma or GED?

A high school diploma is recommended, but not required. However, you do need to be at least 16 years of age for the NA-1 training program course (if under 18 a legal guardian’s signature is required).

Do I have to attend an information session before enrolling?

It is a policy of PHCT that all students must complete a free, no-obligation online information session prior to enrolling in classes in the NA-1, Nursing Assistant-2 and MA programs.

Can I reserve a spot in a particular class?

No. Before you can register in a class you must attend an orientation.

Nursing Assistant 1 vs Nursing Assistant 2

I see that there’s both Nursing Assistant 1 and Nursing Assistant 2. What’s the difference? Do I have to take both?

No, you do not have to take both! You can get your Nursing Assistant 1 and start working as a Nursing Assistant right away. The Nursing Assistant 1 training allows students to obtain employment in many areas of the medical field, including: assisted living facilities (ALF), intermediate care facilities (ICF), and skilled nursing facilities (SNF).

The Nursing Assistant 2 is an added level of certification that will let you perform additional, more complex skills, and thus work in acute care environment and earn more money. Nursing Assistant 2 certification is required to work in a hospital, so if your ultimate goal is to work in a hospital environment you will want to eventually pursue a Nursing Assistant 2.

Can I take the Nursing Assistant 2 class directly after taking the Nursing Assistant 1 class?

You must pass the OSBN state board exam before taking the Nursing Assistant 2 class. Depending upon when you complete your Nursing Assistant 1 class, how quickly you are able to get scheduled for the state exam, and if you pass on the first try, you may or may not be able to take our classes within consecutive terms.
We also suggest that you get a job prior to beginning the Nursing Assistant 2 program, so that you have some job experience before applying for Nursing Assistant.

Does PHT offer financial aid?

The Nursing Assistant Training Program is a noncredit class, which means it is not eligible for financial aid. However, PHCT does offer scholarships.

Do I have to apply to this program?

No. The Nursing Assistant Training Program is open registration, so anyone can register. However, there are certain requirements you will need to fulfill once you are registered.

Are there prerequisites for the Nursing Assistant2 program?

You must be a Nursing Assistant 1. You do not need a GED or high school diploma to register. However, we do recommend that you be proficient in English, including reading, writing, and speaking.

What are the requirements I need to fulfill?

You must attend an orientation before the first day of class. Registration is required to attend an orientation. You can view the full schedule of orientations here. At orientation, you will learn about Nursing Assistant training as well as other requirements that you will have to fulfill, including a background check and drug screen.

The comprehensive Nursing Assistant-2 training program provides students with training in all aspects of the Nursing Assistant-2 role in Acute Care, Dementia Care, and Restorative Care, plus core competencies.  Nursing Assistant-2 curriculum provides a level of knowledge, skills, and abilities at a greater depth than a NA-1 training program, including the concepts of safety and preventing complications.  The course includes a combination of classroom lectures, videos, small group work, lab skills practice and supervised clinical work.  The program consists of a total of 88 hours, 60 hours in class/lab and 28 hours in an acute care/hospital setting.  Upon successful completion of the program, students will be listed as a Nursing Assistant-2 on the OSBN registry.

Part I:  Lecture & Lab, 60 h

  • Learn about the principles of health care, various diseases and body systems
  • Work with other students to practice skills like taking vital signs, dressing and undressing clients, and assisting with feeding

Part II:  Clinical, 28 hours

After successful completion of the lecture and lab portion, you will move on to a clinical rotation.

  • Put your skills to work during 28 hours of real-world experience
  • Interact with patients and health care workers, and view the healthcare industry from the front lines
  • PHCT will place students in a clinical rotation; students will not need to arrange their own clinical internship.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Apply a working knowledge of a variety of human body systems, including the circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, and more
  • Understand and treat a variety of human disease processes, including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, strokes, and substance abuse, among many others
  • Understand standard precautions and the importance of keeping a clean and sterile environment, as well as how to prevent and halt the spread of disease by maintaining cleanliness
  • Perform a vast number of skills essential to the role of a Nursing Assistant2, including taking vital signs like pulse and blood pressure; helping with activities of daily living like feeding, dressing, or hair and nail care; and assisting clients with walking and range-of-motion exercises
  • Gain insight into the psychological struggles of patients and clients, listening to, empathizing, and connecting with people
  • Understand the rights and responsibilities of nursing assistants, including which tasks they are prohibited from, and how to earn and maintain licensure
  • Network with nurses, doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists and others to provide total care
  • Use effective time management to maintain a work-life balance
  • Exercise professionalism, appropriate conduct, and other soft-skills that will help in finding, securing and maintaining long-term employment.

Clinical Training Facilities

Asante Health System – Rogue Valley Medical Center


Providence Medford Medical Center