Nurse Aide
Career Options
Students who complete this program could pursue a variety of careers. Here are some potential career paths:
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA): Provide basic patient care under the supervision of nursing staff.
Home Health Aide: Assist patients in their homes with daily living activities.
Patient Care Technician: Support patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Geriatric Aide: Specialize in caring for elderly patients.
Rehabilitation Aide: Assist in the care and rehabilitation of patients recovering from injuries or surgeries.
Medical Assistant: Perform administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities.
Phlebotomist: Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research.
These careers leverage the diverse skills and knowledge gained through the program, providing a strong foundation for success in various fields.
Program Description
1 year –3 credits – Advanced Career Education (ACE) Center at Hermitage
This program is designed to be completed in one year during the 11th or 12th grade.
Nurse Aide (1 credits): This is an occupational preparation course regulated by the Virginia Board of Nursing and designed for students beginning in the 11th grade. The course prepares students for careers in nursing, health professions, and STEM-H fields through a comprehensive study of the healthcare system, patient care, and clinical practice. Students explore human growth and development across the lifespan, basic body structure and function, medical terminology, infection prevention, and disease processes. Instruction emphasizes both foundational and advanced clinical skills, including patient-nurse aide relationships, measuring and recording vital signs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and general patient care. Students receive hands-on training in healthcare settings, with work-based learning integrated into the course to reinforce classroom instruction. The curriculum includes care of acute medical-surgical patients, the chronically ill, and the elderly, along with instruction in the approved opiate competencies for health and medical sciences education. Students must maintain American Heart Association CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) certification throughout the course and complete the Virginia Board of Nursing’s required clock hours to be eligible for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam.
Mental Health Assistant Career (2 credits): This course provides classroom instruction and hands-on learning in preparation for a career as a mental health technician or in the mental health field. Students gain an understanding of how to provide routine care and perform therapeutic procedures, respond to emergency situations, provide patient rehabilitation, and facilitate patient recreational activities. They prepare to assist mental health professionals in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community mental health facilities.
Program Structure and Benefits
Career Technical Student Organization - Future Health Professionals (HOSA): This organization prepares students for careers in the health sciences.
Real-World Experience: Students learn and practice their skills in professional patient care settings complete with all current industry-standard equipment. Students are tested on 23 skills necessary to pass the Virginia Board of Nursing state licensing exam for nurse aides. They engage in 45 hours of hands-on experience with residents in a long-term care facility under the supervision of registered nurses.
Certifications: Students will earn their Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Workplace Readiness Skills (WRS) certifications prior to attending clinicals. Successful completoion of this course and clinicals qualifies a student to sit for the Virginia Board of Nursing - Nurse Aide Licensing Exam
Is this a good fit for you? This program is ideal for students who are compassionate, dependable, and eager to make a difference in the lives of others. If you’re drawn to healthcare, enjoy hands-on learning, and thrive in fast-paced environments, this course offers a strong foundation for patient care and mental health support. Successful students are attentive to detail, emotionally resilient, and committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism and ethics. Whether you're interested in direct patient care, rehabilitation, or mental health services, this program prepares you for meaningful work in the healthcare field and beyond.
Instructors