A Student performs tests on a patient in a hospital bed.

VA APPROVED

The Nurse Aide I training program is a 162-hour, non–credit course that prepares graduates to provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills. Emphasis is on the process of aging including the mental, social, and physical needs of each client. The students will complete class, laboratory and clinical learning experiences. Clinical learning experiences are obtained in the hospital and long-term care facilities. In all employment settings, the Nurse Aide I will work under the direction and supervision of licensed personnel.

Upon satisfactory completion of the NA I program, the graduate is eligible to take the North Carolina NNAAP exam. An exam fee of $140 is required. Upon achieving a passing grade, the graduate will be listed as a Nurse Aide I by the Division of Health Service Regulation.

For more information and class dates please call Jan Thompson, RN, BSN at 910-938-6296 or email thompsonj@coastalcarolina.edu

Coastal Carolina Community College's Nurse Aide I (NAI) program is approved by the North Carolina State Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR).

The Nurse Aide I training program is a 162-hour, non-credit course that prepares graduates to provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills.  Emphasis is on the process of aging, including the mental, social, and physical needs of each client.  The students will complete class, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences.  Clinical learning experiences are obtained in the hospital and the assisted living facility.  In all employment settings, the Nurse Aide I will work under the direction and supervision of licensed personnel.

Upon satisfactory completion of the Nurse Aide I program, the graduate is eligible to take the North Carolina NNAAP exam administered by PearsonVue.  Coastal's NAI program offers in-facility testing for the NC NAI written and skills evaluation, allowing students to test on our campus and in our lab.  An exam fee of $120 is required.  Upon achieving a passing score on both the written and skills portions of the exam, the graduate will be listed as a Nurse Aide I by the Division of Health Services Regulation.

Class Schedule

Coastal generally offers four NAI classes each spring and fall semester.  There are three seated classes, two 8-week day classes and a 16-week evening class.  We also offer a hybrid class.  In the summer, we offer a day class and an evening class.  Please see the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for details.

Requirements for Registration
*Effective for Nurse Aide I classes starting January 2023, requirements for registration will include a valid American Heart Association BLS Provider (CPR) certification.

  • Students must be at least 17 years old at the time the class starts
  • Placement test required
  • High school diploma (or equivalent) will be accepted in lieu of placement test

Course Requirements

  • Textbook required
  • Photo ID and social security card
  • Caribbean blue scrubs for clinical
  • Background check/10 panel drug screen
  • PPD or TB risk assessment within one year of beginning day of class
  • MMR – Two MMR vaccines or a positive antibody titer for Measles, Mumps, Rubella
  • Varicella (Chicken pox) – Two vaccines or positive antibody titer
  • Tdap – Within past 10 years
  • Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B titer mandatory and proof of series of three vaccines
  • Flu vaccine – If clinical time occurs between October 1 and April 30

Failure to produce documentation of the above immunizations and/or titers will prevent the student from being able to attend clinical rotations and will lead to dismissal from the program.

Students whose criminal background check/drug screen does not meet hospital standards will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Registration Cost and Additional Fees

  • Registration: $180
  • Insurance: $17
  • Supply fee: $5
  • Total due at registration: $202

Additional Costs

  • Background check, drug screen, medical document tracker: $112
  • Textbook: Please contact The College Store for details
  • Uniform: $40-$60
  • Immunizations: (as needed) varies
  • NNAAP exam for North Carolina: $140

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is available for students who qualify.  These funds may assist with registration fees, books, required supplies, and national/state exams.

For more information, see the Continuing Education Financial Assistance page.