About the Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate
This seven-credit hour course is designed to prepare nursing assistants to work under the direction of the licensed professional nurse to provide care in various health care settings. Coursework includes development of basic nursing skills through lectures, laboratory demonstration and practice, and 48 hours of clinical experience. The Illinois Department of Public Health has approved the course for a total of 136 hours of instruction.
After you successfully complete the Basic Nursing Assistant Program, you are eligible to take the written State Nursing Aide Competency Exam. When you pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam, your name is added to the Healthcare Worker Registry, and you can be employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
An individual will be placed on the Nurse Aide Registry when:
- s/he has successfully completed a training program approved in accordance with the Long-Term Care Assistants and Aides Training Program Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 395)
- AND, s/he has met the required criminal background check information (Section 300.661), and there are no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property in accordance with Sections 3-206.01 and 3-206.02 of the Nursing Home Act. Disqualifying Convictions in Accordance with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act (225 ILCS 46).
Total Cost of Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate
(in-district) Total Amount: $1,229.00
Credit Hours to Complete: 7
Weeks to Complete: 16
What makes MCC's Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate program better than, or distinct from, similar programs at other institutions?
- The State of Illinois requires a nursing assistant program to be 120 hours. MCC's program offers 136 hours, allowing students to gain more competency in their skills.
In addition to the Basic Nursing Assistant program, we offer:
What you need to know about getting your Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate (CIP 51.3902 )
| in-district | out-of-district | out-of-state | international | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $770.00 | $2,647.00 | $3,290.00 | $3,290.00 |
| Additional Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate Costs | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| Program Total | $1,229.00 | $3,106.00 | $3,749.00 | $3,749.00 |
Careers
What job opportunities are available to someone with a Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate?
| Occupation and Occupational Profile Link | SOC Code |
|---|---|
| Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants | 31-1014 |
How will MCC's Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate program prepare me for my career or connect me to opportunities?
- Many universities require 2,000 patient contact hours prior to admission in their physician assistant programs. Some medical schools are beginning to require patient contact hours too. CNA certification provides this patient contact and may assist you in earning income as you work toward your degree.
- An applicant to MCC's Nursing AAS program must be a CNA with documentation of good standing on Illinois Health Care Worker registry.
- MCC offers a Clinical Medical Assistant Program that requires students to be in good standing on Illinois Health Care Worker registry.
- MCC offers ECG technician training designed for students who have completed their CNA.
By the Numbers:
- A graduate of MCC's Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate program can expect an entry-level salary of $11 to $14 per hour.
- Job growth in the nursing assistant field from 2016–2026 is anticipated to grow 10 to 14 percent, faster than the average for all occupations.
- 14 of 17 nursing schools in northern Illinois require nursing assistant education prior to admission. (2015 survey)
What have graduates gone on to do?
- Students have gone on to become medical technologists, work in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices and skilled nursing facilities.
Outside of the Classroom
- This course includes theory, lab practice and a clinical component. Working with patients in a clinical setting teaches you how to work and communicate with people.