Academic Catalogs

NURS G061N: Certified Nurse Assistant Practicum

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/05/2023
Top Code 123030 - Certified Nurse Assistant (CTE)
Units 0 Total Units (;  Lab/Other Units 0)
Hours 100 Total Hours (Lab Hours 100; Other Hours 0)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Total Student Learning Hours 100
Course Credit Status Noncredit (N)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable Yes; Repeat Limit 99
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy P/NP/SP Non-Credit (D)

Course Description

This noncredit course prepares students to work as entry-level healthcare workers for patients in various healthcare settings. Hands-on examination aspect of basic nursing care such as biometric data review, infection control, patient transfers, recognition of abuse, patient rights, and appropriate emergency responses will be taught. This course is the clinical portion of the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program that qualifies the student to take the Competency Evaluation Examination issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). To pass the course, all 100 hours must be completed in approved clinical sites with an instructor present. NOT DEGREE APPLICABLE. Not Transferable.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Compose patient care plans in health medical records.
  2. Demonstrate basic nursing care to meet patient needs.
  3. Use therapeutic communication techniques.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Apply the concepts of patient rights when implementing patient care in various healthcare settings while observing body mechanics.
  • 2. Obtain, report, and document vital signs.
  • 3. Identify emergency procedures and policies for preventing and managing catastrophes and unusual occurrences.
  • 4. Implement basic nutritional care, such as passing meal trays, feeding residents, and documenting nutrition intake.
  • 5. Apply medical and surgical asepsis to the care of clients.
  • 6. Analyze the nursing care plan while performing patient care.
  • 7. Use interpersonal skills when communicating with patients.

Lab Content

  1. Patient rights 
    1. Knock on door before entering 
    2. Pull privacy curtains during personal care 
    3. Keep patient information confidential 
    4. Treat patient with respect and dignity 
    5. Encourage patient to make choices 
    6. Explain procedures to patient 
  2. Prevention and management of catastrophe and environmental emergencies
    1. Demonstrate fire/disaster procedures 
    2. Handle oxygen safely 
    3. Use of fire extinguisher 
  3. Body mechanics 
    1. General use of gait belt 
    2. Assist patient up to head of bed with two assistants 
    3. Turn and position the patient 
    4. Supine Side-lying 
    5. Use of lift sheet 
    6. Assist transfer from bed to chair or wheelchair 
    7. Assist transfer from chair or wheelchair to bed 
    8. Use of mechanical lift 
  4. Medical and surgical asepsis 
    1. Hand washing 
    2. Proper handling of linen 
    3. Use of standard precautions: 
      1. Gloving 
      2. Gowning 
      3. Applying mask 
      4. Dispose of trash and waste by double-bagging 
  5. Weights and measures 
  6. Measure oral intake 
  7. Measure urinary output 
  8. Use military time in documentation 
  9. Patient care skills 
    1. Back rub 
    2. Bed bath and partial bath 
    3. Tub bath 
    4. Shower Assist with oral hygiene 
    5. Mouth care of the unconscious patient 
    6. Denture care 
    7. Nail care 
    8. Comb patient's hair 
    9. Shampoo with shower or tub bath 
    10. Use of medicinal shampoo 
    11. Shave patient with razor and electric shaver 
    12. Dress and undress patient 
    13. Change clothes of patient with IV 
    14. Assist with use of urinal 
    15. Assist with use of the bedpan 
    16. Assist to toilet or bedside commode
    17. Bladder retraining{C} 
    18. Bowel retraining 
    19. Perineal care 
    20. Care and use of artificial limbs 
    21. Use and application of splints 
    22. Apply and remove behind-the-ear hearing aid 
    23. Measure height of patient in bed 
    24. Weigh patient in bed 
    25. Measure and weigh patient using upright scale 
  10. Patient care procedures 
    1. Collect and identify specimens: 
    2. Sputum Urine, clean catch 
    3. Stool 
    4. Make occupied bed 
    5. Make unoccupied bed 
    6. Administer commercially prepared cleansing enema 
    7. Administer enemas: tap water, soap suds 
    8. Administer laxative suppository 
    9. Empty urine bag 
  11. Care for patient with tubing: 
    1. Oxygen 
    2. IV 
    3. Gastrotomy 
    4. Nasogastric 
    5. Urinary catheter 
  12. Apple antiembolic hose, elastic stockings (TED hose) 
  13. Admit, transfer and discharge patient 
  14. Apply non-sterile dressing 
  15. Apply topical non-prescription ointment 
  16. Vital signs 
  17. Measure and record temperature using mercury-free and electronic devices for: 
    1. Oral 
    2. Axillary 
    3. Rectal 
  18. Measure and record pulse: radial and apical 
  19. Measure and record respiration 
  20. Measure and record blood pressure: manual (stethoscope, sphygmomanometer), and digital/electronic 
  21. Nutrition Feed the patient who is unable to feed themselves 
  22. Assist patient who can feed self 
  23. Verify patient given correct diet tray 
  24. Use of assistive devices such as orthopedic utensil, cups, and other devices 
  25. Emergency procedures: 
    1. Apply postural supports as safety devices 
    2. Apply soft wrist/ankle restraints as safety devices 
    3. Heimlich maneuver for conscious patient
    4. Heimlich maneuver for unconscious patient 
    5. Position call light properly 
  26. Communication: 
    1. Use of dementia-related communication skills, including listening and speaking strategies 
    2. Identify your name and purpose of interaction 
    3. Make eye contact at patient's eye level 
    4. Use of a continuum of verbal and other non-physical techniques such as direct, for combative patients 
  27. Rehabilitative/restorative care: 
    1. Perform range of motion exercises 
    2. Assist ambulation of patient using gait belt 
    3. Assist patient to ambulate with walker 
    4. Assist patient to ambulate with cane 
    5. Proper use of rehabilitative devices 
  28. Observation and charting:
    1. Report appropriate information to charge nurse 
    2. Document vital signs, and activities of daily living timely and correctly 
    3. Document changes in patient bodily functions and behavior 
  29. Participate in resident care planning

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Enhanced NC Lab (NC2)
  • Field Experience (90)

Reading Assignments

Handouts provided by instructor

Writing Assignments

Complete fill-in portions of handouts provided by the instructor

Out-of-class Assignments

.

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Report
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Analyze abnormal findings during patient care, describe the CNA role during an emergency including course of actions to take, and examine nutritional intake.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Demonstrate skills in vital signs assessment, use of mobility devices, and body mechanic techniques.

Eligible Disciplines

Nursing science/clinical practice: Any bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Sorrentino, A.S., Remmert, L. Mosby's Textbook for Nursing Assistants, 10 ed. Elsevier, 2021