Temporary Nurse Aide

This course is free and was designed to meet the critical staff shortages occurring as a result of COVID-19. 

This 8-hour online training, in combination with the on-site training you will get at the facility where you are hired, will prepare you to work as a Temporary Nurse Aide, a temporary position intended to address the current state of emergency. 

Currently, the 8-hour training program is permitted under special waivers, exceptions, or flexibilities for temporary nurse aide roles in these states:

Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, South Dakota, Texas and West Virginia  

 Additional training or other actions may be required in these states (please contact your state health care association or appropriate state agency for additional information about your state’s requirements):

Alabama,Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia 

If you plan to work in the state of Oklahoma you will need to take the free 16-hour course located here.

If your state is not listed above, check back often as more states are being added to the list weekly. You may also contact your state health care association for additional information about your state’s requirements. Find your state health care association here.

What Does a Temporary Nurse Aide Do?

The Temporary Nurse Aide will help to provide aspects of resident care that include:

• Activities of Daily Living
  • Bathing
  • Oral Care 
  • Grooming - Shaving and Nail Care
  • Dressing and Undressing
• Infection Control and Prevention
• Positioning, Moving, and Restorative Care
• Nutrition and Elimination
• Comfort Care and End of Life Care

When will the Temporary Nurse Aide Certificates Expire? 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar has extended the public health emergency (PHE) due to COVID-19 effective January 21. The PHE is issued in 90-day increments and is slated to expire on April 21, 2021. More information is available here.

DISCLAIMER: AHCA/NCAL has created these courses to assist providers to recruit and train temporary staff during the national emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic. While the federal government has issued a blanket waiver for such temporary nurse aides, state requirements may need to be waived to permit individuals under this training program in your location.  Employers should check with their state survey agencies and their state occupational licensing agencies, where applicable, to ensure individuals trained under this program are permitted to assist with care in your location.

1. If you are new to this site, you will need to CREATE AN ACCOUNT. You do not need to fill out a company name if you don’t have one.
2. After you create your account, go back to www.tempnurseaide.com and click REGISTER. This course is free.
3. To begin the course, click the Course contents tab. Then click on the first item and complete it. You can move through the course at your own pace, stopping and returning to where you left off anytime.
4. To avoid technical problems, use CHROME. Do not use Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer does not work well with this site.
5. If you need assistance, please e-mail your questions to educate@ahca.org. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Technical Troubleshooting: If you are having trouble accessing the course content, check to make sure that you are using CHROME as your browser. Do not use Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer does not support the course website. For best results, use a desktop computer and a hardwire connection instead of Wifi.

If you are having trouble logging in or registering for the course, click on How to Get Started.

Have a question? Check this list for some answers. If you still need assistance, please e-mail educate@ahca.org, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

1. What does the Temporary Nurse Aide do?

The Temporary Nurse Aide helps provide resident care such as: assisting with bathing, dressing, feeding, restorative care, and more. The exact job responsibilities will be determined by the facility that hires you.

2. Where can I work after taking this course?

Nursing homes or “skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers” and assisted living communities. Check the Overview tab, to confirm the list of states that have approved this training course.

To find a place near you that is hiring, search for nursing homes in your area. See if their website offers directions on how to contact them, and let them know you’ve taken and passed the AHCA/NCAL Temporary Nurse Aide training course. Each facility/company will have its own application process. 

3. Do I need any previous experience?

No prior health care experience is necessary.

4. Are these temporary positions available in my state?

Check the Overview tab for a current list of states where this training program is accepted for use. To find a place near you that is hiring, search for nursing homes in your area. See if their website offers directions on how to contact them and let them know you’ve taken and passed the AHCA/NCAL Temporary Nurse Aide training course. Each facility/company will have its own application process. 

5. Do I have to pay to take the course?

No. The course is free.

6. If I take the test and do not score 80% or higher, can I take it again?

Yes, you may take the test up to three times. If you do not pass the test after the third attempt, you will be asked to take the course again at no charge.

7. How do I get the certificate and share that with a facility?

Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you can download and print the certificate of completion before exiting the program. You can also return to the online course at any time, log in, and access the certificate again if you need another copy. You can also email educate@ahca.org and ask that an email copy be sent to you. 

8. What additional on-the-job training will I receive?

Each facility/company will have its own on-the-job training process. You will be helped and supervised by trained professionals while you learn your duties. You will need to demonstrate you are able to complete specific tasks with proper knowledge, skill, and behavior. Here is an example of a checklist that may be used by the hiring facility for on-site training. 

9. If I want to keep working in long term care, what might I do after this temporary job?

Consider becoming a certified nurse assistant (CNA). You’d be expanding on what you learned as a Temporary Nurse Aide, serving as a vital part of the care team, and developing rewarding relationships with staff and residents. The Temporary Nurse Aide course is adapted from CNAonline.com, so if you decide to get more training and become a CNA, you will already be familiar with some of the material. To learn more, please visit CNAonline.com.

Once you have completed this training, you must take and pass the exam. You will then receive a certificate of completion that you can print and show to your hiring facility. 

For information and suggestions on how to find a skilled nursing facility or assisted living community that is hiring a Temporary Nurse Aide, search for facilities in your area. See if their website offers directions on how to contact them and let them know you’ve taken and passed the AHCA/NCAL Temporary Nurse Aide training course. Each facility/company will have its own application process.