Nursing Assistant Program
Your First Step Toward a Career in Healthcare
At Clara Barton High School for Health Professions, our Nursing Assistant Program allows students to gain real-world skills, make a difference in people’s lives, and begin a rewarding healthcare career all before graduation.
This program is fully accredited by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the New York State Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Exam. Passing this exam opens the door to immediate employment in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare facilities.
Why Choose the Nursing Assistant Program?
Becoming a Nursing Assistant (also known as a CNA or Nurse’s Aide) is one of the most impactful ways to start a career in the nursing field. Nursing Assistants work closely with patients every day, offering both nursing and emotional support and making a meaningful difference for patients and their families.
This program is perfect for students who:
- Want to help others and make a positive impact on their community.
- Are interested in exploring careers in nursing, medicine, or other healthcare professions.
- Are you looking for a head start on a career right after high school?
What You’ll Learn
Our program combines classroom learning, hands-on training, and real clinical experience to prepare students for success.
You will gain skills in:
- Measuring and documenting vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, O2 saturation, heart rate, and height and weight.
- Assisting patients with daily activities (bathing, dressing, transferring, positioning, feeding, ambulating, and more).
- Performing basic procedures such as catheter care and measuring intake and output (INO)
- Monitoring patients for signs of illness or infection.
- Collaborate with the health professional team
- Maintaining patients’ rights, dignity, and privacy
- Maintaining infection control and patient safety.
- Communicating with patients and their families with compassion and professionalism.
You’ll also build the professional skills needed to work confidently as part of a healthcare team.
Program Overview
This is a two-year program (grades 11 & 12) that builds on the foundation students gain in grades 9 and 10, including two years of Health Occupations Core and one semester of Career & Financial Management. By the time students complete this program, they will have the technical knowledge, hands-on skills, and confidence to sit for the New York State Nursing Assistant Certification Examination.
Students must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for employment after completing the program.
Opportunities After Graduation
Graduating as a Certified Nursing Assistant opens many doors. Students can begin working right away in healthcare facilities, gaining valuable real-world experience. Many of our graduates choose to continue their education, training to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), or pursue other careers in healthcare. The CNA certification provides a strong foundation for any medical career and helps students build confidence and professional skills that last a lifetime.