BNA FAQs

Please view a PDF of the outline of program costs.

Once all admissions criteria have been completed, the BNA/CNA Program is either an 8-week or 16-week* course. Upon successful completion of this course and successful completion of the state test, you will be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and placed on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Health Care Worker Registry.
*A 16 week course option may not be offered every semester as it is subject to instructor and clinical site availability.

No. Registration is open to all students that have successfully completed the admission criteria.  After the course is filled, it is our recommendation that you watch the class daily in case a student drops the course before the start date.

Multiple sections of the Kishwaukee BNA/CNA Program are offered every 8-weeks. There are day schedules and evening schedules available. Clinicals normally begin the second week of the course. Visit myKish for availability.  You will need to select the term, "nursing", and type in "100".

While the Nursing Program at Kishwaukee does not offer childcare, Kishwaukee College does have a childcare center on campus. Please visit the Early Childhood Center for more information or contact Maria Lombardo, Director of Early Childhood Center, at 815-825-9781 for enrollment and tuition information.

The Kishwaukee College Basic Nursing Assistant Program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

We accept up to 120 students into the BNA/CNA Program each year. Currently up to 48 students are accepted in the Spring semester, up to 24 student in the Summer semester, and up to 48 students in the Fall semester.

Out-of-district students are accepted in the same admission pool as Kishwaukee College residents. No distinction is made between in-district versus out-of-district students for admission purposes. However, out-of-district students are subject to out-of-district tuition. Please visit the Tuition web page for more information.

You may check your voter’s registration card for Kishwaukee College District 523. You may also contact the Admissions Office at 815-825-9375.

Download a PDF to view admission criteria for the BNA/CNA Program.

Please visit the Adult Student Connections website or the Financial Assistance Scholarship.

Yes. You will need a fingerprint background check completed before the start of the course. Information on this will be provided upon enrollment. The cost is already included within your tuition.

Yes. You will need a drug test completed through DeKalb County Health Department.  The drug test is to be completed within one week of the first day of class.  Further information will be provided at the orientation. No appointment is necessary. No payment is required at the time of the drug test; this fee is already included in your tuition, and is non-refundable if you decide to drop/withdraw from the course. DeKalb County Health Department will have a listing of the qualified students to take the drug test for Kishwaukee College students.

This information will be covered during the first week of class. The uniforms that are needed is a light blue scrub top and navy scrub pants with all white or black waterproof tennis shoes. Shoes must have covered heels and covered toes for safety reasons. Students will be required to have a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and gait belt. A watch with a second hand will also be needed. These items may be purchased in the Kish Store. Please ask your instructor if you have any further questions regarding uniforms and/or supplies.

Students will be eligible to take the Illinois Nurse Assistant Training Competency Exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, the students name is placed on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Health Care Worker Registry for Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). 
 
You may access testing days and times at area schools, including Kishwaukee, at http://www.nurseaidetesting.com/testsites.asp. Please note that at the end of the BNA/CNA program, your instructor will help you fill out information to apply to test.

The current cost is $75.00 and is subject to change without prior notice. Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (SIUC) institutes this fee.

Students will be required to bring a valid state-issued picture ID. Students will also need to bring No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers. No calculators will be allowed.

You will need to contact Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC) to reschedule your exam. They may be contacted at 1-877-262-9259. Kishwaukee is the program site and testing site only. SIUC administers the testing. A fee is required to reschedule the exam.

Our nursing graduates have experienced very high job placement into CNA positions. The nursing department invites surrounding agencies to our Job Fair/Career Day, which we hold twice a year. This gives our current students and upcoming graduates a chance to become familiar with the agency, to recognize different options within the field, and possibly gain a position with one of the agencies.

Please follow this link for useful information directly from nurseaidtesting.com.