Nurse Assistant at a Glance

• Starting Salary: $24,000
• Level of Patient Contact: High
• Length of Program: One course, one semester
• Program Location and Start Time: Multiple campuses, every semester
• IDPH approved CNA training program
• Criminal background check prior to enrolling
• Attendance to all class sessions required
• Classes fill quickly, register early!

Nurse Assistant Certificate

The SWIC Nurse Assistant course is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which allows our graduates to apply for the Nurse Assistant Competency Examination for Certification after course completion.

During this course, students will learn:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Medical terminology
• Personal care of patients
• Body mechanics
• Vital signs
• Special treatments

Program Capacity

Classes Offered Every Semester

HRO 105: Nurse Assistant classes are offered each fall, spring and summer semester. Multiple sections of the course are offered and each section generally has room for 10-20 students. Refer to the current course schedule for location, dates and times.

Space is Limited

These classes fill extremely quickly, so it is important to register as soon as possible. Plan to enroll for summer and fall semester courses in April and spring semester courses in November

Program Location

HRO 105 Locations

HRO 105: Nurse Assistant is offered at the SWIC Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City, Red Bud and East St. Louis campuses. Refer to the current course schedule for location, dates and times.

Clinical Experience Locations

Clinical experience will be provided in area nursing homes and hospitals. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all clinical and classroom experience.

Program Cost

Nurse Assistant Certificate

For details, see the Nurse Assistant cost sheet.

Time Commitment

Fall and Spring Semesters

HRO 105 is offered in 16-week and accelerated six-week formats with both classroom and clinical training during the fall and spring semesters. This course is offered at a variety of times and days of the week.

Reminder: Clinical experience is generally completed during the same time frame as the course lecture/lab time, except for HRO 105-001 in the fall and spring semesters. For HRO 105-001, clinicals are scheduled in the morning, which differs from scheduled class time.

Summer Semester

HRO 105 summer sessions are offered in an eight-week format. This course is offered at a variety of times and days of the week.

Attendance

Attendance to ALL class sessions is required. Students missing the mandatory orientation and exceeding IDPH allowances will be dropped and will not qualify for a full refund of tuition/fees. Any missed time is cumulative.

Additional Requirements

The following criteria are required of all students enrolled in HRO 105, and all information will be explained in detail on the first day of class.

Attendance

Attendance to ALL class sessions is required. Students missing the first day of class will be dropped and will not qualify for a full refund of tuition/fees. Any missed time is cumulative.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, have completed at a minimum 8 years of grade school or provide proof of equivalent knowledge, in good physical and emotional health, and have good interpersonal communication skills.

Background Check and Drug Testing

Criminal background checks, required for all health care workers with direct patient contact, are initiated on the first day of class. Some clinical sites may require drug testing. Students must pass the background check in order to remain in the course, be eligible to take the certification exam and to become employed as a certified nurse assistant (CNA).

Refer to the IDPH website for a list of disqualifying convictions and further information regarding requirements to become a CNA in the state of Illinois. Students are responsible for the cost of this background check. Details will be provided regarding when and where to complete the background check on the first day of class. For more information, contact the Health Sciences coordinators’ assistant.

Drug testing required for clinicals at Red Bud Campus.

Auto and Health Insurance

Students enrolling in all Health Science programs should be aware that some clinical facilities may require auto and/or health insurance. Malpractice insurance, when required, is provided by the college though assessment of lab fees.

Medical Requirements

A physical examination and certain immunizations are required.

New Students

New SWIC students are encouraged to complete the New Student Orientation.

Work Requirements

Employment in Illinois

While employment requirements vary from state to state, Illinois requires that nurse assistants graduate from an approved nurse assistant course and pass the Nurse Assistant Competency Examination to qualify for employment.

The Illinois Nurse Aide Testing website provides additional information about testing locations, schedules and requirements.

Get Started

For more information, please fill out the contact form.

CONTACT THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: