Per the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) waivers included in Proclamation 20-32, the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission can now temporarily allow programs to count students’ nursing assistant-registered (NAR) work hours as clinical hours. This allowance for clinical hours is temporary during the COVID-19 crisis.
What documentation is required?
Each NAR needs to provide documentation of competency evaluation by the supervising licensed nurse and evidence of hours worked to the training program to receive credit.
Is the NAR competency checklist available yet?
Yes. A competency checklist is now available. Please review the background information and instructions on the form.
What do we need to award credit for clinical hours?
The training program keeps the fully signed checklist in the student file along with evidence of hours worked for the number of hours credited (i.e. pay stub) and your own skills lab checklist completed prior to testing (when these activities are possible again).
Can we give credit for work in other settings besides nursing homes?
Yes. You can give credit as long as the NAR has a supervising nurse and the opportunity to practice skills in the nursing assistant competencies (WAC 246-841-400) and all other requirements for the allowance for credit are followed.
Can we give credit for volunteering or just employment hours?
No. At this time, this credit is available only for students who are employed as NARs.
Can we give credit for the non-NAR work that students perform?
No. At this time, this credit is available only for students who are employed as NARs.
Can we give credit for NAR work hours in sanctioned facilities?
No. Federal regulations for sanctioned facilities mandate that clinical training will not be conducted or assessed by any employee of the sanctioned nursing facility.