Basic Nurse Assisting Program | Kishwaukee College Healthcare Training

Certified (basic) nursing assistants (CNAs) are a nurse’s right-hand professional. CNAs provide comfort to patients in many ways. These professionals assist with daily living, such with dressing, bathing and eating. CNAs are exceptional communicators who advocate for patients and report concerns to nurses. You’ll be trained in basic medical procedures such as measuring vital signs like blood pressure and temperature.

In our basic nursing assisting program, you will:

Learn and practice your skills in a lab setting that mimics your future working environment
Undergo clinical experience to refine your skills with real patients
Prepare to become a certified nursing assistant in the State of Illinois through our Illinois Department of Public Health approved program

Degree Options

Program Details

We'll prepare you for a career as a CNA.
The National Career Clusters Framework created a tool to help you find a career that suits your interests and skills.
Our basic nursing program is part of the Health Science career cluster.

Basic Nurse Assisting Course Preparation Checklist and Forms
Students can expect plenty of hands-on and classroom experiences in our modern facilities.
Clinical hours are held at local long-term care facilities, home health agencies and/or hospitals so you can gain experience with real patients.

Students successfully completing the eight-week program must take and pass the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam to become certified on the Illinois Department of Public Health's Health Care Worker Registry.

Along with applying to Kish, students seeking admission into the BNA/CNA program can reach out to the BNA Director, Ashley Foltz, at 815-825-9785 or afoltz@kish.edu.
Our FAQs overview the program in more detail.
Once enrolled in the program, please complete the required forms and information before the first day.

The Basic Nurse Assisting program is designed to prepare students to apply for licensure or certification in Illinois. Program completion may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in a state other than Illinois.

Learn more about Professional Licensure

Contact Us

Health Sciences DivisionP815-825-9354

Ashley FoltzBasic Nursing Assisting Instructor/CoordinatorP815-825-9785Eafoltz@kish.eduOB1226

Alea AkersAcademic AdvisorP815-825-9537Eaakers1@kish.edu

Kristin FinkAcademic AdvisorP815-825-9515Ekfink@kish.edu

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