Start your nursing career as a STNA.

State Tested Nurse Aide Certificate

Overview

Do you want to pursue a career in the healthcare field? Enrolling in Central Ohio Technical College’s State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) program is a great way to get started.

This course prepares basic healthcare workers with the skills required by the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) prior to gaining eligibility to become a state tested nurse aide (STNA). The course content includes communication, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, promoting residents’/clients’ independence, respecting residents’/clients’ rights, basic nursing skills, personal care skills, providing care in a home setting, mental health and social service needs, and basic restorative services.

Benefits of completing the course are:

  • Fulfill your STNA prerequisite for the nursing program.
  • You will be eligible to take a state-administered competency evaluation test to become an STNA and be placed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.
  • You will also gain clinical experience in the medical field.
  • Have the ability to start working in the medical field upon successful completion of the course.

STNAs may choose to work in long-term care, assisted living facilities or hospitals. In order to work in these fields, students may need to pass the state-administered competency evaluation test, which is not part of the program. STNAs provides basic healthcare needs for patients under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). 

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Coshocton Healthcare Expo

Nursing professor and a student stand around the Anatomage Table, a virtual dissection table used in classroom simulations.

Learn about educational and career pathways in healthcare. This event is free and open to all individuals interested in healthcare careers. High school students, college students and current healthcare professionals are encouraged to attend. 

  • View simulations of real-life medical scenarios and demonstrations of the latest medical equipment and technologies.
  • Explore COTC degrees and certificates — including those that are available on our Coshocton campus — that will lead you to a rewarding career in the healthcare industry.
  • Meet local employers from the Coshocton area. 

March 29 from 9 a.m.–noon and 3–6 p.m.
Montgomery Hall, COTC Coshocton Campus

register 

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Healthcare Visit Day

Still deciding which career in healthcare might be the best fit or right choice for you? Tour our healthcare labs, talk with our expert faculty, and learn about career paths in healthcare. The COTC Healthcare Visit Day on the Newark campus will help you differentiate between the many healthcare certificates and degrees. 

Friday, April 7 from 1:30–3 p.m.
Warner Center 126, Newark Campus

Register Registration closes on Tuesday, April 4.

If you are only interested in learning about one healthcare program offered at COTC, we recommend you register for an information meeting instead, which will cover application requirements for a specific program. 

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Short-term Certificate Grant

This Ohio Department of Higher Education grant is designed to support students with demonstrated financial need in obtaining a certificate they can complete in less than one year by providing a one-time grant of up to $2000 (minus any grants, scholarship or outside aid) to assist with tuition for approved short-term certificates. This is a limited fund that will be awarded until funds are exhausted. To be considered, students must submit and satisfy the requirements on the Short-term Certificate Grant Application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I complete the STNA program?

At COTC students can quickly complete the STNA program in just one semester.

Can I take classes online or face-to-face?

Students will be required to take classes in person for STNA. Depending on the location where STNA is taken, students may need to be at a location, in-person five days per week.

Where can the STNA certificate be completed?

COTC partners with other locations to provide students more options to complete the STNA certificate, and STNA can also be completed on the Coshocton campus. 

  • C-TEC (Newark)
  • COTC Coshocton campus
  • Knox County Career Center/Knox Technical Center (Mount Vernon)
  • COTC Pataskala Campus

What else can I consider studying in nursing after I complete the STNA?

Students are encouraged to continue their nursing education. Many students who complete the STNA certificate are working to meet the STNA requirement to apply to either the practical nursing certificate program or the associate degree nursing (ADN) program. 

What type of financial assistance is available to help me pay for STNA? 

The STNA certificate is eligible for the short-term certificate grant available to students with demonstrated financial need as well as students who are currently in or exiting foster care. Each student may receive a one-time grant of up to $2,000 to assist with tuition and fees (does not include the cost of books and supplies). To be considered, students must submit and satisfy the requirements on the Short-Term Certificate Grant Application or Foster Youth Grant Application. 

Connect with the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.

How do I get started at COTC?

Help us learn more about you by visiting our Future Students webpage, then follow the COTC Steps to Enroll to get started.