Patient Care Assistant - Career Certificate Program
Earn a certificate that will put you on a path to employment and licensure as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Why Choose to be a Patient Care Assistant?
Take the first step on the nursing or health care career ladder in this state-approved program that prepares you for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) eligibility. Patient care assistants provide essential support for nursing staff in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and rehabilitation centers, working under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Many also work as private home health aides, serving a wide range of patients, from the elderly and disabled to people recovering from injury or surgery.
The 290-hour program consists of three parts. In the Nursing Assistant segment, students focus on caring for the elderly and spend 40-plus hours training in a skilled nursing facility. In the Home Health Aide portion, students gain an understanding of caring for patients at home. Finally, in the Patient Care Assistant part, students are placed in a hospital and gain clinical experience in pre- and post-operative care. Many local hospitals require this training.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
- Acceptance at PBSC as a non-degree seeking student.
- Completion of a special application for the Patient Care Assistant program.
Program Length
- 3.5 months
- full-time day or evening program
Tuition
- Approx. $850 for Florida residents
- Approx. $3,200 for out-of-state students
- Financial aid and scholarships
- College affordability
Coursework
How to Apply
STEP 1: Watch our mandatory PCA Information Session video and take the accompanying quiz.
- You must score 100% on the quiz. (Repeat attempts allowed.) Save a screenshot of your 100% result as a PDF.
STEP 2:
- New students
- Apply to PBSC as a non-degree seeking student.
- Use Program Code 5233.
- Current students
- Change your major to Patient Care Assistant (Program Code: 5233) by submitting a program objective change request in your WorkDay account.
STEP 3: Apply to the controlled-access Patient Care Assistant program.
- Submit your 100% quiz result with your application. (See Step 1 above.) Applications without quiz results will not be considered.
- Submit your application by the following deadlines*:
- Fall term entry: July 1
- Spring term entry: November 1
- Summer term entry: April 1
*If a deadline falls on a weekend/holiday, it will be extended to the next business day.
Career Outlook
Students who complete the Patient Care Assistant program are eligible to take the Florida Certification Exam for Nursing Assistants, which is required to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Graduates also receive Palm Beach State College certificates in the three areas covered by the program: Nursing Assisting, Home Health Aide, and Patient Care Assisting. Nursing assistants are in high demand at hospitals and health care facilities in South Florida and beyond.
Keep Learning
At Palm Beach State College, graduates of the Patient Care Assistant program have several options to train for more advanced health care professions, including certificate programs in Practical Nursing (to become a licensed practical nurse), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B), Medical Assisting Specialist, and Medical Information Coder/Biller.
Alumni Stories
- The journey of a lifetime: I chose nursing at Palm Beach State College
- Honors graduate prepares for a career in nursing
Health Sciences Career Pathway
Palm Beach State’s academic programs are grouped into Career Pathways that include similar areas of study. The Career Pathways are designed to help students like you identify a career path early in your educational journey so you can finish your degree faster, lower your educational costs, and be better prepared to earn additional credentials or enter the workforce.
Each Career Pathway has its own academic community that brings students together. The Nursing programs are housed in PBSC’s Health Sciences Career Pathway.
Important Program Information
Covid-19 Guidelines for Nursing Students
If you are sick, stay home and work with your instructor or professor regarding any
assignments that may be due while you are ill. Your instructor/professor will follow
the protocol outlined in the course syllabus regarding absences. Students must follow
their chain of command outlined in the program manual with notification related to
absences. Please note clinical facility learning experiences may or may not be available
for make up during the current term. Students must comply with clinical facility requirements
during their learning experiences.
Ensure you follow the CDC guidelines in accordance with your specific situation to mitigate spread and promote wellness.
Face Masks / Face Coverings
Face masks are optional. They are no longer required on campus currently. If you elect
to wear a face mask, the mask must not prohibit or impede your ability to work in
the classroom, labs, or communicate effectively with faculty and/or peers. Please
keep this in mind when selecting covering and use good judgment based on the activities
you normally would participate in at these settings.
This program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Contact Information
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org
Get Started in Nursing at PBSC
Whether you’re starting your nursing career or ready to advance, we have a program for you.
Questions?
Our nursing program staff is happy to help!
Nursing Office
561-868-3412
nursing@palmbeachstate.edu
Nursing Program Locations
Lake Worth Campus: 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33461
Allied Health Building | First Floor | Room 110 | Campus Map
Belle Glade Campus: 1977 College Drive, Belle Glade, FL 33430 | Campus Map
Loxahatchee Groves Campus: 15845 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 | Campus Map
Web page is under revision
