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University of Washington

Working as a Nurse Technician or Certified Nursing Assistant During the BSN Program

After completing NCLIN 306 and NCLIN 302, you are eligible to apply for a Nurse Technician or CNA position at a hospital in the State of Washington. Both require licensure through the Department of Health.

Nurse Technicians

Nurse Technicians licensure requires concurrent enrollment in the BSN program in "good standing"; e.g. you must pass all your nursing course with a 2.0 or better and receive "credit" for your NCLIN courses. Academic Services/Dagmar Schmidt will verify your enrollment in good standing and a projected graduation date on the Nurse Technician application form.

You must secure employment as a nurse technician from a hospital first and your employer verifies the employment offer as a Nurse Technician. For the application and information about Nurse Technician licensure go to the following website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/NurseTech/default.htm

In the past, Nurse technician employment opportunities have been plentiful and will be again once the economic situation changes. The current difficult economic market affects health care employment as well. Hospitals are still hiring nurse technicians but in lower numbers and at a slower pace than in the past. Hospital Personnel departments and charge nurses look at nurse technicians as future RN hiring prospects and are careful in offering positions to applicants they consider qualified and a good fit for their health care teams. Present yourself as a competitive applicant for a nurse technician position.

  • Make the best and the most of all your clinical rotations. Demonstrate professional behavior and conduct at all times. Interact with the nurses and health care providers on the unit demonstrating good interpersonal skills, accountability, and teamwork. Maintain professional boundaries and indicate if you are interested in a future position at the hospital.
  • Keep your resume current and update it at the end of each clinical rotation. Include leadership experience from other parts of your life. Use the UW Career Center and attend workshops, seek consultation and practice interview skills.
  • Maintain a record of your compliance records and quarterly "information for employers" form.
  • Contact hospitals in the area for job openings. You should be able to find out most of this information by connecting with the hospital sites through the internet.
  • Make a plan on how you will be able to balance school and work demands for the remaining time in the program.

CNA Licensure

CNA licensure is an independent licensure and not connected to your nursing school enrollment. You are eligible to sit for the CNA licensure exam after completing NCLIN 302 and NCLIN 306. Some hospitals prefer hiring CNAs vs. nurse technicians.

  • Order an official UW transcript
  • Fax or send the official transcript to Sandy Kerrigan directly. The contact info is:

    Fax: 360-493-2581
    Mail: Sandy Kerrigan, DSHS –NAC Testing
    P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600
  • Sandy Kerrigan, Manager Nursing Assistant program at DSHS will verify completion of NCLIN 306 and send you two copies of a "Certificate of Ccmpletion" plus an NAC testing application.
  • Read carefully through all the instructions. Complete the NAC testing application and return with the appropriate fee.