The Holy Family University School of Nursing & Health Sciences has gained approval from the Pennsylvania Board of Education for its newly created Nurse Aide Training Program.

The program is designed to meet a growing area and statewide need for certified nursing aides in hospitals, nursing homes, private care, and the expanding field of home healthcare. Completion of the six-week program, with a passing grade on the national certification examination, will provide an immediate pathway to an in-demand career as a certified nurse aide (CNA).

Admission to the program, formulated for students who are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or its equivalent, will cost less than $3,000. Tuition will cover the expense of uniforms and books. Cohorts will attend in-person lectures and labs at Holy Family University for the first three weeks of the program and will spend the last three weeks receiving hands-on training at clinical sites in Philadelphia and Bucks County. No prerequisites are required for enrollment. Classes for the inaugural cohort are slated to begin in Fall 2024.

“The reputation of the Holy Family University School of Nursing & Health Sciences has been stellar, and we historically have been at the forefront in tailoring program offerings to meet the growing needs of our community,” said Dr. Margaret Harkins, DNP, MBE, MSN, GNP-BC, RN-B, Dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences. “We are proud to offer our Nurse Aide Training Program as another example of Holy Family’s desire to develop graduates who have a far-reaching and meaningful impact in patient-centered healthcare.”

“Due to the high demand for CNAs, our affiliates are eager to hire graduates who successfully obtain certification following completion of the Holy Family University Nurse Aide Training Program, primarily for their skills and services,” said Vice Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Michelle Murphy-Rozanski, PhD, MSN, RN, CRNP-FNP, who has been instrumental in launching the program. “It also will benefit those students who may see themselves as future nurses by providing an easy transition and enrollment into our nursing program. The Nurse Aide Training program is a win-win for patient care, students, families, and the Holy Family University community. This program will help to provide critical patient care needs in healthcare, while providing viable employment options for students. Many of our partnering agencies offer competitive salaries, sign-on bonuses, benefits, and in some cases, even pensions, with a national certification that will be recognized across the country.”

For additional information on the Holy Family University Nurse Aid Training Program, visit Holy Family University or contact Murphy-Rozanski at mmurphy-rozanski@holyfamily.edu. Holy Family University is a private institution in the Catholic tradition with campus locations in Philadelphia and Newtown. Founded in 1954, the University is informed by its values-driven mission. Holy Family embraces diversity and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming and accessible learning community for all.