As a vital force on the healthcare team, Certified Nursing Assistants provide direct care to patients, residents, or clients in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. They work under the direction of a registered nurse to measure vital signs, assist patients with personal care activities such as bathing, eating, and dressing, keep patients’ rooms tidy, move patients as need, and ensure their general safety and comfort.
The training to become a nurse aide is the fastest way to join the professional health care team. CNA classes can be completed in just 4 weeks in Illinois. Compared to nursing programs, the cost of CNA training is affordable, and in most instances, completely refundable after you’re hired by an approved facility. The profession may be rewarding in itself, but there’s always the option to expand your training by enrolling in a nursing program to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
Joliet Junior College
The Certified Nurse Assistant Training program at Joliet Junior College prepares students with knowledge and skills to care for patients as members of the health care team. The curriculum is guided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) requirements and includes theory and skills training. Areas of study include HIPAA laws, the activities of daily living, patient safety, patient transfers, caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease, specimen collection, preventing infection, and the role and responsibilities of a nurse aide. The curriculum exceeds the minimum hours specified by the IDPH as instructors seek to reinforce key concepts, skills training, and preparation for the state exam. Program graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to take the state exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. The school has a consistent pass rate of over 95%. Day, evening and weekend classes are offered for students’ convenience.
Admission criteria:
- Must have complete the 8th-grade at minimum
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Must be able to speak and understand the English language
- Must have a valid social security number
- Must be a good physical, mental and emotional health
- Attend the online or in-person orientation session before registering for the program
- Must complete fingerprinting before the first day of class
- Complete a physical exam and submit a report
Tuition for the program is $1,033 and includes fees. Other costs include CPR class, textbook, workbook, criminal background check, state exam fee, physical exam. Drug screen, immunizations, TB test, uniforms, and blood pressure cuff/stethoscope kit.
- Website: https://www.jjc.edu/choose-your-path/health-public-safety-human-services/certified-nurse-assistant
- Address: 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL, 60431
- Phone: 815-729-9020
EnVaNa Healthcare Training Center
The nurse aide program at EnVaNA Healthcare Training Center covers the foundation skills students need to provide for the comfort and needs of patients in long-term care facilities. Theory and practical instruction will emphasize patient safety and security, rights and independence, and communication. Course modules include Introduction to Health Care, Residents Rights and Nurse Aide Responsibilities, Infection Control in the Health Care Setting, Emergency Procedures, Injury Prevention, Fundamentals of Rehabilitation/Restorative Nursing, End of Life Care, and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia. Performance skills will cover passive range of motion, measuring vital signs, performing oral hygiene, performing transfers using a mechanical lift, calculating intake and output, ambulating with transfer belt, and applying and removing personal protective equipment. The curriculum covers 120 contact hours of instruction – 80 hours of theory and 40 hours of clinical. The duration of the program is 4 weeks. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 pl to 9:45 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Submit the completed enrollment form and non-refundable registration fee of $60
- Submit proof of completing high school or equivalent
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Current high school students must submit proof of attending school in good standing
- Provide a copy of social security card and government-issued ID
- Must be able to speak and understand the English language
- Complete a criminal background check
- Proof of negative TB test or chest x-ray
- Documentation of completing a flu shot, hepatitis B vaccine, and tetanus
Tuition for the program is $880. Additional costs include a criminal background check, blood pressure meter, blue uniform scrubs, textbooks, immunizations, state exam, physical exam, and CPR.
- Website: https://www.envanahealthcare.com/about-the-program.html
- Address: 500 E. Ogden Avenue Suite 208, Naperville, IL 60563
- Phone: (630-269-7431)
Genesis Healthcare Institute
The Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program at Genesis Healthcare Institute prepares adults to meet the healthcare needs and comfort of patients in long-term and acute care facilities. The training covers 120 contact hours of instruction in total and includes 80 hours of theory and 40 hours of skills development at an approved clinical site. Students will acquire fundamental nursing skills specifically related to the care of persons with chronic health disorders, disabilities, and Alzheimer’s disease. Communicating with compassion and respect for clients’ emotional, mental, and social status is a critical component of the program. Course topics include but are not limited to the role and responsibility of the nurse aide, measuring and recording vital signs, the prevention of infection spread in the health care setting, observing patients and reporting concerns, transferring patients, assisting with the activities of daily living, collecting samples for testing, and collaborating with the health care team. Students who successfully complete the program’s required hours with a passing grade will receive a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to take the state exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Clinical times are 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Submit the completed application for admission with the non-refundable registration fee of $75
- Submit proof of completing high school or equivalent
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Provide a copy of social security card and government-issued ID
- Must be able to speak and understand the English language
- Complete a criminal background check
- Proof of negative TB test or chest x-ray
- Provide proof of vaccination – Tdap, flu shot, hepatitis B
The program cost of $1,200 includes the non-refundable registration fee and basic supplies. Fees not included are costs for books, equipment, and state exam.
- Website: https://www.genesishealthcareinstitute.com/
- Address: 25 Alexander Cir #3, Romeoville, IL 60446
- Phone: 815-439-3970
- FAX: 815-439-3974
AVID CNA School
The Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program offered by AVID CNA school includes theory, lab skills, and clinical activities to reinforce theoretical concepts. Students will acquire basic nursing skills and an understanding of the role and responsibility of the nurse aide on the health care team. Course topics include work ethics, assisting with personal care, communicating with the health care team., body structure and function, emergency care, caring for persons with common health disorders, body mechanics, preventing infection, promoting safety, care of the older person, and caring for a dying person. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the state competency exam to become a Certified Nurse Aide.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Must demonstrate reading competency at the 10th-grade level
- Must submit a satisfactory physical exam report
- Provide documentation of a negative TB test
- Pass a criminal background check initiated by AVID
- Provide a valid social security number and state ID
- Provide a copy of health insurance (recommended)
Tuition for the program is $1,045 including the registration fee. Expenses for books, workbook, technology fee, lab kit, gait belt, stethoscope, and AE stockings cost an additional $453. Students must also cover the cost of the criminal background check, state exam, and CPR training.
- Website: https://www.avidcnaschool.com/
- Address: 67 S Sutton Rd, Streamwood IL 60107
- Phone: 630-855-3977
- Fax: 630-855-8453
- Email: admin@avidcnaschool.com