Nurse Aide is a Certificate program offered by Texas Health School in Houston, TX. The program takes 100 clock hours — 4 weeks day, 6.25 weeks evening or 12 weeks Saturday to complete, with a total tuition of $1,386.
Program Overview
The Nurse Aide program is designed to provide the students with the skills and abilities essential to the provision of basic care to homebound patients and residents in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Graduates of this program will be able to communicate and interact effectively with patients. They will assist patients in attaining and maintaining maximum functional independence while observing patient rights.
Students will learn how to take vital signs, apply basic nutrition in meal planning, and follow infection control measures, and will be able to apply proper body mechanics in bed making, lifting, and turning patients.
Certification. Students who successfully complete all the minimum and specific requirements as required by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Nurse Aide Registry will receive a certificate for Nurse Aide and are eligible to register for the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation for certification administered by the state.
100 hours. The program is 100 clock hours (30 lecture, 30 lab, 40 clinical) and 3 semester credits.
What sets this Program apart
The Nurse Aide Program at Texas Health School is a quick, four-week program that will prepare you for a gratifying career of providing compassion and care. Courses can be taken during the day, at night, or on weekends.
Hands-on skills. In the program you will learn how to assist patients with daily activities such as bathing, grooming and dressing; assist with toileting, oral care, and perineal care; observe and document vital signs; assist patients with mobility and range-of-motion exercises; communicate with patients who have hearing or speech difficulties; and assist patients who have memory loss, confusion, or trouble understanding.
Clinical practice. Students perform 40 hours of clinical practice under licensed supervision through hands-on in a long-term care facility.
A foundation. The program is ideal for individuals who wish to pursue an entry-level career in healthcare and is a comprehensive foundation to build on for health professionals eager to train in specific nursing specialties in the future.
Admission Requirements and Process
Texas Health School requires all applicants go through a multi-step admission process as outlined below.
- An admissions representative will interview and determine the abilities and needs of the applicant.
- Applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance and must possess a high school diploma, a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or a Home School certificate that is equivalent to a high school level diploma and is recognized by the student’s home state. All applicants must be at least 17 years of age, must be 18 years of age prior to starting their scheduled externship/clinical, and must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. Applicants with foreign transcripts must have them evaluated for equivalency to a U.S. high school diploma by a recognized evaluation service.
- All applicants eligible for enrollment must take a validated admissions test, the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). An applicant who does not pass on the first opportunity may take a substantially different test the same day, must wait five calendar days before retaking the same test, and after a third failed attempt must wait six months; passing scores are valid for three years.
- Should an applicant not possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, he or she is required to take a test to determine the student’s ability-to-benefit (ATB) from the program; students admitted on the basis of ability-to-benefit are not eligible for Title IV financial aid funding.
- Applicants for the Nurse Aide Training Program must sign a statement and be verified they are not listed on the Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) in revoked status, or as unemployable on the Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR), and have not been convicted of a criminal offense listed in the Texas Health and Safety Code §250.006(a), or of an offense listed in §250.006(b) within the five years immediately before participating in the program.
- The applicant must complete an enrollment agreement and submit it with the registration fee deposit. If an applicant is not accepted, the full amount of the deposit will be refunded.
- The applicant will supply unofficial transcripts from former schools attended; an official transcript is required if the student requests a review of their educational courses for the purpose of credit transfer.
- Applicants complete an initial criminal background check conducted by the school through its approved vendor.
- Accepted students attend a mandatory orientation session before beginning classes, and must agree to abide by all general policies, rules, and regulations of the school.
The minimum Wonderlic SLE score for the Nurse Aide program is 11 (Accuplacer minimums: Reading 230, Writing 233, Math 235).
Acceptance. Upon completion of these items, the school reviews the application and informs the applicant of its decision in a timely manner. If the applicant is denied admission, all fees paid to the school will be refunded.
General Requirements
- High school diploma, equivalent or ATB testHave a high school diploma, GED or equivalent; otherwise pass the ability-to-benefit test for the program.
- Wonderlic SLE score of 11Achieve a Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam score of 11.
- EnglishBe able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
- AgeBe at least 17 years of age, and 18 years of age prior to starting your scheduled clinical training.
- Registry and criminal-history statementSign a statement and be verified as not revoked on the Nurse Aide Registry or unemployable on the Employee Misconduct Registry, with no disqualifying THSC §250.006 conviction.
- Background checkComplete the criminal background check conducted by the school through its approved vendor.
Application Process
- 1Meet admissionsAn admissions representative will interview you to determine your abilities and needs.
- 2Complete the applicationComplete the Texas Health School Application for Admission.
- 3Take the Wonderlic SLETake the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam online or on site; the Nurse Aide minimum is 11.
- 4Registry verification and background checkSign the Nurse Aide Registry and Employee Misconduct Registry statement and complete the background check.
- 5Enroll and attend orientationSign the enrollment agreement with the registration fee deposit and attend the mandatory orientation.
Program Schedule
Day classes run 4 weeks, Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 1:10pm: students attend classes 5 hours a day for 11 days, followed by 8 days of clinical (5 hours/day), then return to the school for the last class day. Evening classes run 6¼ weeks, Monday through Thursday, 5:45pm – 9:55pm: classes 4 hours per evening for 14 evenings, followed by 10 evenings of clinical. Saturday classes run 12 weeks, 8:00am – 5:30pm: classes for 7 Saturdays, followed by 5 Saturdays of clinical (8 hours/day).
Upcoming starts. The academic calendar lists day classes starting January 4, 2027 and March 15, 2027, and evening classes starting February 15, 2027 and April 19, 2027. No Saturday class start is currently scheduled (the calendar shows N/A).
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: Texas Health School is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. It is approved and regulated by the Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Cost of the program. The catalog addendum prints the following charges, which reconcile to the total cost paid to Texas Health School:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,386 |
| Registration Fee | $100 |
| Lab Fee (uniforms, equipment and medical lab supplies) | $175 |
| State Certification Test Fee | $125 |
| Technology Fee | $50 |
| Total cost paid to Texas Health School | $1,836 |
The test fee for the State Certification Examination is the responsibility of the student and must be paid before the school approves the graduate for testing. The tuition cost to take an individual subject is $462 per semester credit hour.
Paying for the program. Students who do not qualify for financial aid or who do not wish to apply for educational loans may make monthly tuition payments to the school; payment arrangements are made with the Financial Aid Office, and final payment is due prior to starting clinical. Students receiving Texas Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), vocational rehabilitation or other alternate funding must present the agency’s authorization before starting school. Students admitted on the basis of ability-to-benefit are not eligible for Title IV financial aid funding.
Cancellation. A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed, or within the student’s first three scheduled class days, except that the school may retain not more than $100 in any administrative fees charged.
Curriculum
The Nurse Aide curriculum totals 100 clock hours (30 lecture, 30 lab, 40 clinical) and 3 semester credits in four subjects, listed in the table below. Nurse Aide students are required to attend 100% of their scheduled hours in order to graduate.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | External | Total | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Graduates may find entry-level employment as a nurse aide with hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, state schools, and institutions.
A growing need. With the aging population on the rise, there is a growing need for skilled nurse aides. As a Nurse Aide, you’ll play an important role in the health and well-being of those under your care, assisting them with daily activities, keeping track of their health, and offering emotional support to both the patient and their loved ones.
Certification exam. Graduates are eligible to register for the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, which is administered by the state to obtain certification as a nurse aide.
Career services. Texas Health School assists students in finding employment in entry-level positions in their chosen career fields and offers placement assistance to all eligible completers and graduates. Upon successful completion of the program the school will refer graduates and present their resumes to prospective employers; placement assistance includes resume writing, cover letter writing, finding job openings, mock interviews and career networking events. Texas Health School does not guarantee placement, nor does it guarantee that a graduate will earn a specific wage in their area of study.
What to expect as a Texas Health School student
Since 2002. Texas Health School was established in Houston in 2002 to provide specialized training programs needed to address the increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. In 2019 it relocated to 11511 Katy Freeway to a larger more modernized facility. The school occupies approximately 12,000 sq. ft. on the second floor; the facilities include a computer lab, two nursing skills labs, a medical lab, two lecture rooms, and a massage clinic classroom, and the classrooms and labs are supplied with equipment and instruments related to the specific academic program of study.
Orientation. Accepted students attend a mandatory orientation session covering the school’s policies and procedures, the program’s curriculum overview, class schedules, the grading scale, available resources, the learning management system, and meetings with the faculty, registrar, career services, and financial aid department directors.
Attendance. Nurse Aide students are required to have attended 100% of their scheduled hours in order to graduate.
Clinical. The 40 clinical hours are completed under licensed supervision in a long-term care facility; the school provides the clinical site.
Dress code. Students are required to wear the school’s uniform in class and on externship. Shoes must be closed toe - closed heel and should be either white, navy, or black, and a school issued student ID badge is required to be worn at all times. Visible tattoos must be covered, fingernails must be short and clean with no polish, and use of cell phone, food and drink is prohibited in class or during clinical/externship activity.
Health insurance. Students are expected to maintain their own health insurance while attending Texas Health School and are responsible for any medical expenses incurred during the course of the program.
Other Programs at Houston
Texas Health School in Houston, TX also offers these 5 programs at 11511 Katy Freeway, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77079.
- LVN to ADNAssociate Degree · 1,348 clock hours (60 semester credits) — 64 weeks, eight 8-week sessions
- Massage TherapyDiploma · 500 clock hours (23 semester credits) — 35 weeks day or evening
- Medical AssistantDiploma · 800 clock hours (32 semester credits) — 32 weeks day or evening
- MRI TechnologyAssociate Degree · 1,754 clock hours (71 semester credits) — 80 weeks, five 16-week semesters
- Vocational NursingDiploma · 1,440 clock hours (55 semester credits) — 48 weeks day or 74 weeks evening