Interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA)? This course provides you with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to perform basic patient care in a variety of healthcare settings, and to be a nursing assistant under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).
This course meets the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines for the basic nursing assistant training program (BNATP) curriculum and is highly recommended for students interested in a nursing career or an entry-level position in the healthcare field. Coursework includes learning basic nursing skills through lectures, simulation skills laboratory and supervised clinical experiences at a long-term healthcare facility.
After you successfully complete the BNATP, you're eligible to take the State Nursing Aide Competency Exam. Upon passing the Nurse Aide Competency Examination, you're added to the Healthcare Worker Registry, and then can be employed as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
Pathways to other programs
If you complete the CNA course, you should consider our other programs:
Licensed practical nursing — LPN
Admission requirements
Informational session
There's a required two-hour informational session for the face-to-face course, and a four-hour informational session for the blended/hybrid course. The sessions are held two to four weeks before the course starts; date and time are provided during registration.
Drug screening
A negative 10-panel drug screen is required before the start of the course.
Prerequisites
A high school transcript with completion of Freshman English (C or higher) or college placement exam equivalent to English 095 (C or higher). No general-education courses are required.
Background check
In accordance with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act, all students applying for the Bbasic nursing assistant course/program must complete a LiveScan criminal background check prior to the start of the course/program by a designated agent and at a designated time as determined by the Health Professions department, who will also make arrangements for the LiveScan fingerprinting.
You'll be notified in writing at least two weeks prior to the date for the LiveScan to be completed. If you don't complete the background check by the designated time, you'll be dropped from the program for noncompliance with the requirements.
Disqualifying convictions
Individuals with disqualifying convictions, as listed in the Act, are prohibited from working for a healthcare employer unless a waiver has been granted by the Department of Public Health. Disqualifying convictions are in accordance with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act (225 ILCS 46) and 77 ILL Adm. Code 955 Section 955.160. You may visit the website at IDPH/Disconvictions to see the disqualifying convictions.
Waivers must be obtained before enrolling in the program through IDPH. You can also contact IDPH for more info:
Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
p: 217.785.5133 / f: 217.524.0137
State & federal requirements
Individuals must meet before being listed on the registry as an Illinois CNA or working as an Illinois CNA in a licensed long-term care facility.
- Have a criminal history records check as prescribed by the Health Care Worker Background Check Act with no disqualifying convictions.
- Have no administrative finding of abuse, neglect or misappropriated property in Illinois or any other state.
- Must be at least 16 years of age, of temperate habits and good moral character, honest, reliable and trustworthy.
- Must be able to speak and understand English or a language understood by a substantial percentage of a facility’s residents.
- Must provide evidence of prior employment or occupation, if any, and residence for two years prior to present employment as a nursing assistant.
- Must have completed at least eight years of grade school or provide proof of equivalent knowledge.
- Must not work as an Illinois CNA until the registry shows the individual has met the training requirements.
- Prior to any direct contact with a resident, must complete a specified 16 hours of classroom training in a state-approved CNA training program.
- Nursing assistant students should not perform any duties for which they have not been trained and found to be proficient by an instructor.
- Students providing services to residents must do so under the general supervision of a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse.
- Successfully complete an Illinois-approved CNA training program.
- Pass a written competency test (a requirement since January 1996).
- Pass a manual skills test.
TB test (Mantoux)
You're required to have a two-step TB (Mantoux) test before starting class. Allow time for both steps, as there's a seven- to 14-day waiting period between tests. Turn in the form to Health Professions in person or mail it to the address given in the letter you'll receive before starting the course. Without the form, you won't be able to enter the course/program due to noncompliance with the requirements for entry.
Although the COVID-19 vaccination is not an admission requirement, most clinical sites require vaccination against COVID-19. Check with your program coordinator for more details.
Healthcare provider CPR
All students are required to demonstrate the completion of CPR at the healthcare provider level. There's a mandatory CPR class during the course semester. You'll be dropped for noncompliance with requirements if you don't complete the CPR class when scheduled.
Careers as a CNA
Employment
Earnings for nursing assistants vary depending on experience, employer, location and education. Nursing assistants typically earn between $10 and $16 an hour. The median wage for nursing assistants across the country is around $12 an hour. The demand has increased in the past five years for CNAs and is projected to increase by 9% between 2018 and 2028 with care being provided to the baby-boomer generation and the same generation retiring. A CNA has the opportunity to work in long-term care, acute care, home health, hospice and private duty.
Working conditions
Nursing assistants provide personal care to patients under the supervision of nurses. The type of care provided varies depending on the needs of the patient/resident. In some cases, patients/residents may be too ill or weak to perform necessary physical activities by themselves, and nursing assistants might help patients with eating and drinking at mealtimes or with personal grooming activities such as dressing, bathing, shaving and brushing their teeth. Some patients have problems with mobility, and nursing assistants help them sit up, turn over, get out of bed or walk.
Nursing assistants also monitor patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration. They may also help nurses and doctors care for patients by setting up equipment, disinfecting instruments/equipment and stocking supplies. Other common tasks include changing bed linens, keeping patient/resident rooms tidy and delivering meals.
A large part of the nursing assistant’s job involves providing patients/residents with company and encouragement. Patients/residents can feel depressed or lonely, and nursing assistants may simply spend time chatting with them, listening to them and helping to raise their spirits. This type of emotional support can go a long way towards helping a patient feel better. A CNA will be able to work full time, part time or PRN (as needed) for eight- or 12-hour shifts. A CNA will be on their feet most of the shift providing basic care with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, toileting, personal hygiene, transfers, ambulating, feeding, etc.
Program goals
- Be able to apply principles of infection control, safety and resident rights while performing the essential basic nursing skills in the healthcare setting.
- Be able to demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of nursing assistant.
- Use accurate and appropriate communication with members of the healthcare team.
- Employ ethical and moral behaviors and the characteristics of honesty, responsibility and caring in the provision of patient/resident care.
- Distinguish age-related changes from normal functioning of the body systems.
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner and comply with all requirements with their scope of practice.
Course info
Class formats
Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit your needs. Regardless of the format, make sure you have access to a reliable computer with high-speed internet. All courses use online resources and require you to access course information through mySandburg. The Galesburg and Carthage campuses have open computer labs for your use as a student.
Sample course schedule
View a sample course schedule.Estimated costs
The cost for the certified nursing assistant eight credit-hour course is approximately $1,950 for in-district students and $$2,646 for out-of-district students.
Financial aid, grants & scholarships
Learn how you can take advantage of financial aid, grants and scholarships available to Sandburg students.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Learn more, and complete this form to determine your eligibility.
Career and technical programs/courses follow our equal opportunity & non-discrimination statement. For more information, email the Title IX coordinator, or call 309.341.5258 or the ADA/504 coordinator at 309.341.5262.
Accreditation & licensure
The Sandburg basic nursing assistant training program meets the education requirements to be eligible for certification as a certified nursing assistant in the state of Illinois. If certification is sought in any other state, contact that state regulatory body.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is the regulating agency forbasic nursing assistant training program. IDPH may be contacted as follows:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Nurse Aide Registry Information
525 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761
217.785.5133
Southern Illinois University of Carbondale (SIUC) is contracted to manage and administer the nursing assistant state exam. Visit their website for more information, including:
- Access to an online practice exam
- Access to information regarding testing locations and dates
- Access to skills video (covers all the manual skills required for certification)
- Exam status
- Registration for the state exam
Professional licensure disclosure
Postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs are required to make certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students, parents, employees and the public. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (34 §C.F.R. 668.43) requires disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The institution must make readily available to enrolled and prospective students information about whether programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet educational requirements.
View licensure information by state.
View licensure information for nursing programs.
If Sandburg hasn't determined whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification outside the state of Illinois, contact the licensing entity to determine whether it meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state you live or work.
Contact the dean of nursing with questions.
Frequently asked questions
I completed the CNA in another state; how do I get my certificate transferred to Illinois?
Visit the nurse aid testing webpage to access the out-of-state CNA application.
It’s been five years since I completed the class; do I have to repeat the course, or can I just sit for the exam?
Visit the nurse aid testing webpage to access the recertification process page.