Nursing Assistants are in high demand by employers in Whatcom County!

Choose BTC’s Nursing Assistant program to train for nursing assistant jobs in a wide variety of medical settings. The knowledge and skills you’ll gain are highly valued by healthcare industry employers such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home health agencies. 

Nursing Assistant training meets the Healthcare Experience requirement for entry into the BTC Registered and Practical Nursing Programs. Students who complete the Nursing Assistant program will be eligible to take their WA State CNA certification exams.

The Nursing Assistant Program at Bellingham Technical College is approved by the State of Washington, Department of Health, Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. 

Note: BTC has not made a determination that the Nursing Assistant curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. We encourage students who plan to work out-of-state to check relevant local licensure/certification requirements.

The BTC Nursing Assistant program is pleased to announce it has added clinical placement at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (SJH) in addition to nursing home placements. The addition of SJH clinical placement prepares students to work as a CNA in high-demand, acute care settings. Applicants should be aware that they must pass a urine drug screen and provide proof of immunization in addition to a criminal history background check. More information can be found on the Nursing Assistant Program Information Sheet and course calendar.

CPR class (AHA BLS Healthcare Provider) is included in the Nursing Assistant Program! Students do NOT need to register for a CPR course in addition to NA 101 & NA 102. Email nursing@btc.edu if you have questions.

Fall Quarter 2025 Course Calendar

2024-2025 Nursing Assistant Handbook/Workbook

A completed college admissions application and placement in English and math. BTC uses a Guided Self-Placement process to help you choose the best starting point for your English and math courses. Your selections will determine whether you begin with program coursework or complete prerequisites classes first.

To get started or for help determining your English and math placement, contact the Outreach department at Outreach@btc.edu.

AFTER registering into the program and prior to beginning clinical rotations, students must submit proof of all Clinical Placement Requirements.

Nursing Assistant Program Information and Clinical Placement Information Sheet

• Documentation of a two-step tuberculin skin test (TB) completed within the last year. TB must be current through Nursing Assistant enrollment. This may be completed while starting the program (not an entry requirement, but encouraged to get started before starting the program) Student Tuberculosis (TB) Form

•  This program requires a criminal history background check prior to attending the clinic practicum. Criminal History Background Check Information Sheet

• Applicants should be aware that they must pass a urine drug screen and provide proof of immunization including MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, and influenza. Please note that marijuana is a banned substance and students who test positive for marijuana cannot attend clinical at a PeaceHealth facility. More information can be found on the Nursing Assistant Program Information Sheet.

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Take the ACCUPLACER/Placement Test
3. Meet with Nursing Student Navigator
4. Prepare to Attend

• Demonstrate clinical competencies defined in WAC 246-841
• Identify and apply nursing knowledge necessary in the nursing assistant role

MISSION STATEMENT

Bellingham Technical College’s Nursing Program delivers high-quality nursing education to benefit the health of our region.

VISION STATEMENT

The Nursing Program will be a recognized leader in providing innovative, effective, and progressive nursing education. The Program creates options for career success by developing a professional nursing workforce.

PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING

Nursing is both an art and a science; an art requiring creativity and skill, and a science requiring knowledge and the application of evidence-based practice. Nursing provides safe, patient-centered care in collaboration with the healthcare team.

NURSING PROGRAM VALUES

In accordance with Bellingham Technical College’s values, the nursing program has established the following values:

• Student-Centered: Use high-quality instruction to create pathways to reduce barriers and support student learning.
• Collaborative: Strengthen student workplace readiness through partnerships and job placement services so students may achieve their education and career goals.
• Principled: Cultivate a welcoming and accessible learning environment, which promotes student success through a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
• Responsive: Prioritize continuous quality improvement to keep pace with workforce needs and emerging industry trends.

Employment of nursing assistants is expected to increase. Employment of nursing assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations in response to an emphasis on rehabilitation and the long-term care needs of a rapidly aging population.

The average annual wage in this field is, $30,969 with an earning potential of about $35,464 per year.*

Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.

Most program graduates work as nursing assistants in extended care facilities, hospitals, clinics and home health agencies. Others work in residential care facilities, such as halfway houses and homes for the elderly or disabled, or in private households. Nationally, about one-half of all nursing assistants work in nursing homes, and about one-fourth work in hospitals.