The Nursing Assistant Training Program at Zelina Training Institute is designed to prepare competent, compassionate, entry-level nursing assistants to provide safe, resident-centered care in long-term care, rehabilitation, assisted living, and acute care settings. The program was developed in response to Oregon’s growing need for qualified direct care workers and reflects the increasing demand for nursing assistants across the continuum of care.

Oregon’s Health Care Workforce Needs Assessment 2025 (Oregon Health Authority, 2025) highlights the limited training for direct care workforce, continued and increasing need for direct care workers to support the state’s aging population. According to the report, the population of Oregonians aged 85 and older that are likely to require long-term care services is projected to grow by 29% by 2030. As Oregon’s population continues to age and healthcare needs become more complex, the demand for well-prepared nursing assistants remains strong across healthcare environments.

Zelina Training Institute is committed to helping meet this workforce need by providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares graduates for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce while supporting the delivery of safe, person-centered care in Oregon communities. The program provides students with a comprehensive foundation in resident-centered care, infection prevention and control, communication, safety, professionalism, and essential nursing assistant skills.

Through a combination of online didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory training, and supervised clinical experiences, students develop the knowledge, technical skills, and professional behaviors necessary to deliver safe and effective care. The curriculum is OSBN-approved, developed by experienced nurses, and designed using a competency-based approach to learning. Instruction incorporates evidence-based practices, adult learning principles, and real-world healthcare scenarios to promote critical thinking, accountability, confidence, and professional growth.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to pursue Oregon Nursing Assistant certification and enter the healthcare workforce as valued members of the healthcare team. Graduates will be equipped to support quality care, preserve resident dignity, and promote patient safety across a variety of healthcare settings.