Nurse Aide Student

About the Program

Your healthcare career is waiting. Let’s get started! Valley Health welcomes individuals who want to begin a meaningful career in patient care to apply to our Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP). No previous nurse aide or medical experience is required. Accepted participants are paid Valley Health employees while completing the education, skills training, and clinical experience needed to prepare for the Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA) examination.

Why Begin Your Career with Valley Health?

Valley Health is one of the region’s largest employers, and a nonprofit health care system rooted in caring for our communities. The program has helped train and mentor area students for more than 20 years. Participants are paid during training and build the knowledge and practical skills needed to become CNAs.

What You’ll Experience

• Classroom education: Learn the fundamentals of safe, respectful, and effective nurse aide care.
• Hands-on skills training: Practice essential patient-care skills in a supervised learning environment.
• Clinical experience: Apply classroom learning while working with patients and members of the healthcare team.
• Patient-care preparation: Develop skills related to activities of daily living, mobility, nutrition, vital signs, infection prevention, communication, and patient safety.
• Basic Life Support training: Participate in American Heart Association Basic Life Support instruction.
• Certification preparation: Complete course assessments, skills review, and preparation for the state nurse aide certification examination.
• Career support: Receive guidance on applying and interviewing for available CNA opportunities after program completion.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, feeding, and mobility.
• Measuring and reporting vital signs.
• Helping patients reposition, transfer, or walk safely.
• Supporting patient comfort, dignity, and independence.
• Communicating observations and concerns to the nurse.
• Working collaboratively with nurses and other members of the care team.
• Following infection-prevention, privacy, safety, and documentation requirements.

What We’re Looking For

• A genuine interest in beginning and sustaining a career as a CNA with Valley Health.
• Compassion and respect for patients from different backgrounds, circumstances, and stages of life including the ability to remain calm, respectful, and attentive when a patient is uncomfortable, frustrated, confused, or anxious.
• Dependable attendance and the ability to meet the full program schedule.
• Comfort providing hands-on personal care, including bathing, toileting, feeding, repositioning, and mobility assistance.
• A high school diploma or equivalent.

Schedule and Location

Training lasts 8 weeks, occurs Monday to Friday, mostly during the day, located mostly in Front Royal with some additional training at other Valley Health locations. Usually there are 5 cohorts a year, and space is limited.

After You Finish the Program

After certification, participants agree to remain employed in an available Valley Health position requiring CNA licensure for 1,872 worked hours. Program completion does not guarantee transfer into a CNA role. Graduates are responsible for applying for and interviewing for available positions, and Valley Health recruiters may provide guidance during that process. Participants who do not complete the program, do not obtain their certification, or do not transfer to a Valley Health CNA role within 90 days may be required to pay the cost of the program.

Pay

Nurse Aide Student rate: $17.86 per hour. Employment status during training: Temporary, per diem. Post-certification compensation: Certified Nursing Aides start at $18.59. Total compensation is based on the CNA position, location, shift, experience, and applicable Valley Health compensation practices.

Benefits

Nurse Aide Students are not eligible for benefits. CNA positions may be eligible for benefits depending on the status.

• A Zero-Deductible Health Plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Assistance
• Retirement Savings Match