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WCC has made the very difficult decision that the Nursing Assistant program will not be offered in the upcoming fall quarter (2025) due to significant budgetary constraints. This decision was not made lightly and reflects the ongoing  financial challenges currently facing our institution. As we work to align our programs with available resources, we must prioritize long-term sustainability and ensure that we can continue to deliver high-quality education across all areas. We recognize the importance of the Nursing Assistant Program in preparing individuals for essential roles in healthcare, and we deeply value the interest and commitment of prospective students who were planning to enroll.

We understand that this news will be disappointing and may disrupt plans for those intending to begin or continue their healthcare education. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time. Please know that this is a temporary pause, and we are actively exploring options to reinstate the program in the winter quarter. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available. In the meantime, our advising team is available to discuss alternative pathways or support services to assist you in achieving your educational goals.

Nursing assistant at Whatcom

Nursing assistants contribute to the overall health and comfort level of patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities by providing basic care and help with activities of daily living.

Whatcom’s nursing assistant program consists of lectures and labs offered in the evening on campus and clinical experiences at long-term care facilities on the weekends. This eight-credit program includes 49.5 hours theory, 37 hours lab skills, and 40 hours clinical experiences. Starting fall 2024, Whatcom will implement the Washington State Common Curriculum for nursing assistant training. Whatcom Community College does not offer the Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR) Work Pathway. Students seeking to complete the NAR Work Pathway are advised to contact the Department of Health for eligible programs in the state of Washington.

Costs

In addition to tuition and other general college expenses, there are additional fees and some supplies you will need to purchase or acquire for this program, as noted below:

*The Nurse Assistant Exam fee is payable with student fees at time of enrollment. This entitles the student to one skill exam as scheduled at the end of the quarter of instruction. A student that does not attend the scheduled skills exam time at the end of the quarter of instruction or is unsuccessful will need to pay for an additional skills exam. This additional skills exam may be offered at WCC and is based on availability for an exam appointment with a future testing period. The student can also seek to complete the repeat skills exam at another provider if no appointment is available at WCC.

Refer to the Washington State Department of Health for the current nursing assistant certification application fee.

As costs and information can and will change. Be sure to contact an advisor for the most current information for planning the funding of your education.

More details can be found at Career Bridge.

Complaints

Student complaints about this nursing assistant training program can be filed with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), formerly called the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/opinio/s?s=EducationComplaintForm