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Certified Nursing Assistant

Become a CNA in six weeks

The Office of Admissions and Registrar’s mission is to ensure access to education for all people throughout their lives with special effort made to seek diversity of population and to support the historically underserved.

Drake State admits on a first come, first served basis. All students who meet the established admission criteria will be admitted without regard to the applicant’s race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, national origin, or age.

This course fulfills the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation ACT (OBRA) requirements for training of long-term care nursing assistants in preparation for certification through competency evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the development of the knowledge, attitudes, and skills required of the long-term care nursing assistant. Upon completion of this course, the student should demonstrate satisfactory performance on written examinations and clinical skills.


Expected Earnings/Salary

Median hourly earnings: $14.57 per hour.
Highest 10% earnings: $ 21.27 per hour.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Skills Needed

Success as a Certified Nursing Assistant requires a caring and empathetic nature, emotional stability due to the stress of caring for persons with health issues, the ability to follow orders and to work under close supervision.

Course Calendar Dates

The CNA program will be offered in a 6-week hybrid format with the theory instruction offered online, and the lab and clinical live and on-site.

Below is a sample of the class schedule.

TuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
Tuesday: Theory
8-1pm | On Campus
Building 100
Wednesday: Theory
8-1pm | Online
Thursday: Theory
8-1pm | Online
Friday: Lab
8-12pm | On Campus
Building 100, RM102
Tuesday: Theory
8-1pm | On Campus
Building 100
Wednesday: Theory
8-1pm | Online
Thursday: Theory
8-1pm | Online
Friday: Lab
8-12pm | On Campus
Building 100, RM102
Tuesday: Theory
8-1pm | On Campus
Building 100
Wednesday: Theory
8-1pm | Online
Thursday: Theory
8-1pm | Online
Friday: Lab
8-12pm | On Campus
Building 100, RM102
Wednesday: Theory
8-10am | Online
Thursday: Clinical
7:30-4pm | Location TBD
Friday: Clinical
7:30-4pm | Location TBD
Saturday: Final Exam
Time TBD | On Campus
Building 100

Requirements

  • Provide proof of a negative TB skin test and Hepatitis Series B immunization
  • Provide proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
  • At least 16 years old
  • Completed application

Cost and Refund Policy

The cost of the CNA training is $1,800 and must be paid in full before the first class. This includes books, tuition, and fee for the certification exam. Payments must be made at the Business Office. Pell grants or other financial aid will not pay for this class. You may apply for WIOA funding.

75% of the tuition will be refunded to the applicant if the applicant withdraws within two business days before start of class. If the student does not show up for class, they may apply for a 50% refund provided the application is made in writing within three days of the start of the class. Refunds will not be issued after this time.

QUESTIONS?

Health Sciences Program