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Program Details
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Career Studies Certificate
Laurel Ridge Community College
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Program Details
Career Studies Certificate in Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aide
Career Studies CertificateCareer Studies Certificate in Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aide
Laurel Ridge Community College
Designed to build on the skills of the nursing assistant by learning medication aide tasks. In addition, opportunity to take courses geared towards the PN, ADN, and other healthcare related programs offered at Laurel Ridge.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | This career studies certificate allows the student to earn their Certification as a Nurse Aide, gain employment and experience in the healthcare field, and take courses towards earning a Practical Nursing Certificate or AAS in Nursing. Upon completion of NUR 27 and successfully passing the state certification exam, students will be employable as a CNA in various healthcare settings. Additional credits earned in the PCT certificate are applied as general education credits and/or prerequisites for applying to Laurel Ridge Community College Nursing programs. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students taking NUR 27 must complete additional requirements prior to the first day of class; for this reason, students are encouraged to enroll at least a month prior to the start of class. Students enrolling later than that should work closely with an advisor. Students who already possess a nurse aide certification will be awarded five credits for NUR 27.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | This program is G3 eligible. IN-DEMAND credentials and education programs that are eligible for more funding than ever before through the G3 Scholarship. Admission requirements include a background check, drug screen, health and physical evaluations. |
Doing More With Your Degree | Credits transfer to the Practical Nursing Certificate and AAS in Nursing degree programs. |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Related Programs & Certifications

On Completion You Are Ready For
Credential
Link
Certifications You Can Now Complete
Certified Nurse Aide
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aide
19
Career Studies Certificate in Patient Care Technician
19
Course Grad Req 221-157-07 (2024-25 Catalog)
19
Course Requirements
19
Student Development Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
NUR 27 Requirement
5
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students who already possess a Nurse Aide Certification (CNA) will be awarded 5 credits for NUR 27.
Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 141/145 Requirement
4
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
BIO 141 and BIO 142 are required for continuing nursing education past the LPN level.
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ENG 111 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY 230 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Program Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Residency
19
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 14 credits may be applied to this program.
GPA
19
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students transferring to Laurel Ridge with an Associate Degree or higher already completed will be able to transfer in applicable credits to their degree and will have SDV 100 waived. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Laurel Ridge does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://laurelridge.edu/credit-for-prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market. We offer many courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. Our student life team offers many ways for students to get involved including clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | The catalog year in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into their curriculum at Laurel Ridge. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog placement is tied to semester start selected in the application. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://laurelridge.edu/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this
program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your
current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can
complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program
page.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) - Advanced Placement Option (APO) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing - Hybrid Distance Education | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Nursing, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Rappahannock Community College | AAS Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-BSN Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
29-2061.00 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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