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Certified Nursing Assistant

What is the Nursing Assistant Certificate?

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play a very important role in nursing by assisting patients with bathing, dressing, eating and other daily functions; making basic observations that involve all body systems and their responses and treatment; perform medical procedures such as catheter care, specimen collection, vital signs, and range of motion exercises.

The CNA Program is an 8-credit hour program that includes 90 hours of theory and lab, and 50 hours of clinical. Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Illinois Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Competency Examination. Graduates who pass this exam will be listed on the State of Illinois Health Care Worker Registry.

The current state exam pass rate for the Heartland Community College CNA Program is 98%.

Program Details

Nursing Assistant Certificate

Format
On Campus, Online, Hybrid
Start Date(s)
  • August 19, 2026 (16-week)
  • August 19, 2026 (1st 8-week)
  • October 20, 2026 (2nd 8-week)
Application Deadline
August 7, 2026
Credit Hours
8
Average Time to Complete
8 weeks or 16 weeks
In-District Tuition
$168/credit hour & Fees: $1,344
Out-of-District Tuition
$336/credit hour & Fees: $2,688

Why Take Nursing Assistant Classes at HCC?

Through your HCC classes, learn to:

  • make basic observations about patients that involve all body systems and their responses to treatment
  • perform medical procedures such as catheter care, specimen collection, vital signs and range of motion exercises
  • master non-invasive procedures by performing them on classmates

You can find our certified graduates in long term care facilities, hospitals, assisted living, physicians' offices, surgical centers, and home health.

The current state exam pass rate for the Heartland Community College CNA Program is 98%.

Program Call to Action

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Students working together in a lab setting

Program Highlights

8-week and 16-week Class Options

Take the classroom portion of the Certified Nursing Assistant class, NURS 110, in either an 8-week or a 16-week format. The 140-hour program includes 90 hours in the classroom and lab. You also perform 50 hours of direct patient care in a local long-term care facility under the supervision of a nursing faculty member. Once the following criteria are met, you can be placed on the Illinois Department of Public Health CNA Registry:

100% Job Placement Rate

Nursing assistants held about 1.4 million jobs in 2023. The largest employers of nursing assistants were as follows:

  • Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) 33%
  • Hospitals; state, local, and private 33%
  • Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly 11%
  • Home Healthcare Services 6%

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook

98% State Exam Pass Rate

There are many reasons to study at Heartland Community College.

  • Affordable
  • Student-focused
  • Dedicated instructors
  • Small class sizes
  • Supportive environment
  • Dedicated equipment and live lab on campus

Program Options

Traditional 16-week Certificate Option

All students planning to enroll in the CNA course (NURS 110) must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete the Heartland basic skill assessment in English and math and place into MATH 087 or higher and GED 70 (formerly ENGL 98) or higher.
  • Criminal Background Check In accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), a Livescan fingerprint criminal background check must be completed and results received in order for a student to attend clinical. Students will complete the Authorization to Conduct Background Check (PDF) form (requires Social Security number) on the first day of class and will be given a date to do fingerprinting at that time. A disqualifying conviction will prevent the student from participating in the clinical component of the course, unless an IDPH waiver has been granted (a process which can take a minimum of four weeks) before the first day of clinical. Students with questions regarding disqualifying convictions or the waiver process may contact IDPH (PDF).

Alumni Stories

My time at Heartland Community College was truly transformative. The professors in the Nursing program were incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, providing a strong foundation that prepared me for the real-world challenges of healthcare. Because of Heartland, I'm now working as a registered nurse at a local hospital, doing what I love. I'm so grateful for the opportunities Heartland provided!"
Sarah Miller, Class of 2020, Registered Nurse at OSF HealthCare