The nurse assistant provides basic nursing care to patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Excellent opportunities for employment exist in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, clinics, and private residences. In Illinois, the certified nurse assistant (CNA) must be listed in good standing on the State Health Care Worker Registry to work as a nurse assistant in long-term care facilities and extended care sections of a hospital. In order to become fully certified and placed on the State of Illinois Health Care Worker Registry, students must successfully complete an Illinois Department of Public Health approved training program, or meet the Department’s approved equivalencies; take and pass the state-approved Competency Evaluation, and satisfy the Health Care Worker Criminal Record Background Check requirements.
Career and Technical Education Options
- Basic Certificate
- Nurse Assistant
(7 hours)
- Nurse Assistant
Entry Requirements
High school diploma or its equivalent is required. Students must successfully complete the Nurse Assistant Placement tests in the College testing center (W124).
Length of Study
Nurse Assistant Training (HLTH 141) is an IDPH approved certificate program consisting of one hundred forty-two (142) clock hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences. The course is conducted over a period of eight weeks.
For Further Information
For questions regarding the nurse assistant training program, please contact Shelba Donoho in the Health Professions office at (217) 875-7211, ext. 753.
