Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Certificate Program
Train for a Career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in our Accelerated Program
ABHES Accredited
On Campus
At a Glance
~6 Weeks
Course length
40
Lab hours
45
Class hours
40
Externship hours
About the Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Certificate Program
Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide essential hands-on care, emotional support, and daily living assistance to patients and residents in medical and long-term care settings. As vital members of the nursing team, CNAs work under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), serving as the eyes and ears of patient care.
Through intensive classroom instruction, state-of-the-art lab practicals, and direct patient care in a clinical healthcare facility, Pima Medical Institute prepares you to pass your state certification exam and begin a meaningful career in nursing.
Where the Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Certificate Program Can Take You
Certification
Pima Medical Institute's Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide certificate program prepares graduates to apply to sit for state certification exams in Colorado and Arizona.*
Entry-level roles
Nursing assistant, nurse aide, home health aide, caregiver, personal care aide, personal care attendant, companion care provider
Career advancement
Labor and delivery aide, pediatrics support, geriatrics care, patient care technician
*Certification and state registration requirements vary.
Core Skills You’ll Develop
CLINICAL
Basic human anatomy, body systems and aging process fundamentals; safe patient handling, body mechanics and fall prevention; nutrition, hydration and intake/output monitoring; dementia care, mental health concepts and developmental care
PROCEDURES
Infection control principles, personal protective equipment (PPE), and hand hygiene; abuse prevention and legal responsibilities of caregivers
PROFESSIONAL
Patient rights, dignity, privacy, and HIPAA guidelines; communication skills for nursing teams and family members
REPORTING
Vital signs measurement and clinical reporting
Program Objective
In this certificate program, you will receive the training needed to work as an entry-level position as a nursing assistant or nurse aide. At Pima Medical Institute, our courses cover a variety of subjects, paralleling the diverse responsibilities of nursing assistants. Clinical topics include infection control, emergency procedures and basic nursing skills, while professional abilities, such as communication and interpersonal skills, are also addressed. The program objective is to develop in students the intrapersonal and professional skills needed to perform as competent entry-level nursing assistants or nurse aides through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and externship experiences. Among the topics covered in the curriculum are bed making, patient transfer, personal care techniques, and other topics necessary to be effective members of the nursing assistant or nurse aide team. Graduates of this program receive a certificate and are eligible to apply for state credentialing. Additional state requirements may apply.
Why Choose Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide?
Nursing Assistants are the primary caregivers for patients needing help with daily activities, playing an indispensable role in patient comfort and recovery.
Nursing Assistants perform responsibilities such as:
- Assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating
- Measuring and recording vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature)
- Assisting with patient mobility, positioning, and safe transfers (wheelchair/bed)
- Observing, documenting, and reporting changes in patient physical or mental condition
- Maintaining clean, safe, and infection-free patient environments
- Providing bed care, skin care, and assisting with range-of-motion exercises
- Offering compassionate emotional support to patients and family members
Find a Campus Near You
Pima Medical Institute has campuses across the West, each offering hands-on Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide training built for immediate workforce entry.
Clinical Externships
At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.
In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.
Continuing Education
You can also boost your medical career with our Medical Assistant certificate program, where you will receive the skills and training to expand your medical knowledge and responsibilities.
Job Outlook
2% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow slower than average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $39,430 per year.*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nursing Assistants,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm (visited June 07, 2026).
What careers can you pursue with a Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide certificate program?
The Nursing Assistant certificate program prepares students to apply for roles and other related career opportunities including:
- Nursing assistant
- nurse aide
- home health aide
- caregiver
- personal care aide
- personal care attendant
- companion care provider
Nursing assistants work in a variety of settings including long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, hospitals and acute care medical centers, assisted living communities and residential care homes, home health care agencies and hospice care centers.
Career Services
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Student Services
Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.
Application Process
- Submit the form below
A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
- Chat with our team
They’ll ask about your goals, your background, and what’s drawing you to healthcare. From there, they’ll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
- Attend your campus tour
Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We’ll walk you through programs and what to expect.
- We help you complete your application
Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.
Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Certificate Program Eligibility Requirements
- Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
- Additional requirements may apply by campus
Tuition & financial aid
Federal aid (FAFSA), institutional scholarships and payment plans are available for those who qualify to help make your education affordable.
FAQs About our Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Certificate Program
What Is a Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide?
Nursing assistants/nurse aides support doctors and nurses in patient care, diagnostic procedures and technical treatments. As nursing assistants work closely with patients’ daily needs and activities, they are vital to the success of medical teams.
What Does a Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of a nursing assistant include maintaining patient hygiene, bed making, patient transfer and showing patients personal care techniques. In addition to these duties, nursing assistants must offer compassion and patience to patients when assisting with tasks such as dressing, bathing and feeding – always putting patient dignity and safety first.
What will I learn?
Students in the Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide certificate program will learn the clinical skills needed to document patient care services, report observations to the nursing staff and assist doctors and nurses with diagnostic procedures and therapeutic treatments. Classes also focus on the necessary soft skills such as communication, interpersonal connection, compassion and respect for patients.
Taught by instructors with years of real-world experience, this program features hands-on training from the very first semester, so graduates feel confident and prepared for their first day on the job.
How do I become a certified Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide after graduation?
Graduates of Pima Medical Institute’s Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide program are eligible to sit for national and statewide credentialing exams. Colorado and Arizona require state certification exams.
Credential | Organization |
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | State Board of Nursing/Prometric/Credential |
| BLS CPR Certification | American Heart Association (AHA) |
*Availability and requirements vary by state.
What experience will I gain in the externship?
Students complete a supervised clinical rotation in an approved long-term care or hospital facility.
During clinicals, students will:
- Provide direct, hands-on patient care under the supervision of experienced clinical site staff
- Demonstrate competency in core nursing assistant skills required for state licensing exams
- Experience the pace and routine of active healthcare settings
Is the CNA program eligible for state licensing?
Yes. Pima Medical Institute’s Nurse Assistant program is state-approved and designed specifically to meet all classroom and clinical hours required to sit for your State Certified Nursing Assistant Exam.
How fast can I complete the Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide program?
Pima Medical Institute’s Nurse Assistant program is an accelerated course that can be completed in approximately six weeks.
*Individual completion times may vary.
What are nursing assistants called?
Nursing Assistants may also be referred to as:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) / State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA)*
- Patient Care Assistant (PCA) / Geriatric Nursing Assistant
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Program
Nobody Says It Better Than Our Students
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Pima Medical Blog
Check out our blog posts on the Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide program. We provide insights, information, alumni spotlights, news and other valuable articles to keep you updated.
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Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Nursing Assistant / Nurse Aide program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, Colorado, and Texas and meets licensure/certification requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate out of the state he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
After licensure is obtained in the state (AZ, CO, or TX), transfer of licensure may be available via state reciprocity compacts. Prospective students and current students are strongly encouraged to contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine requirements before enrolling in a program.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
State Licensure Determination Disclosure – Nursing Programs
Contact information for state licensing boards in which Pima Medical Institute has determined the program does not meet state licensure requirements or where Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the program meets state licensure requirements can be found below.
State Licensing Board Contact Information – Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide
Accreditation and Program Information
The Pima Medical Institute Mesa and East Valley campuses are licensed by the Arizona State Board for Postsecondary Education and is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing to offer the Nursing Assistant Training Program. This campus is also nationally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
View accreditation information for all programs by campus
Arizona Nursing Assistant Certification Requirements and Fees
East Valley Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Prospective Student Handout
View program costs, additional disclosures and outcomes for this program (if applicable)