If you have an interest in becoming a certified nurse assistant but are unsure about how to pay for a program, consider the options offered in the state of Illinois. Nursing homes and other long-term residential health centers sometimes offer training programs at little or no cost with the possibility of employment upon successful completion of the program. There are over 78 facility based sites in Illinois that offer these training programs. The best way to locate these facilities is to inquire with hospitals, nursing homes and other residential care facilities in your community. Also consider contacting the Job Corps Center in Joliet, Chicago, and other cities across Illinois where nurse assistant programs are made available to those in need of employment assistance. You can get more information on WIA programs through the one stop website:www.illinoisworknet.com.
Updates:
Jan 2018
Oak Brook Care Rehabilitation Centre – 2013 Midwest Rd, Oak Brook, IL
Oak Brook Care is a 5-star family-owned facility with excellent ratings from medicare.gov. They are willing to provide free Certified Nursing Assistant training classes for those aspiring candidates who share their level of dedication and commitment in helping others. They also provide other benefits such as health insurance, vacations and pension plans. They have full time and part time slots available. To know more about this opportunity, call: +1 630-495-0220 or visit their page and fill out the form: https://goo.gl/2ni2GD
Here is a list of a few WIA-approved training programs in Illinois:
Chicago Care Training Center – 6600 N. Lincoln Avenue Suite 418 Lincolnwood IL, 60712 | (847)674-3368
Chicago Community Learning Center – 4753 North Broadway Suite 602 Chicago IL,60640 | (773)506-1503
International Skin Beauty Academy – 830 N Meacham Road Schaumburg IL,60173 | (847)602-8356
Joliet Junior College – 1215 Houbolt Road Joliet IL,60431
Midwestern Career College – 20 N. Wacker Drive Suite 3800 Chicago IL,60606 | (312)236-9000
Omega Healthcare Technical School – 400 W. Higgins Road Park Ridge IL,0068 | (847)425-9089
Choose your State:
Scholarship Opportunities:
Rock Valley College-Nancy E. Anderson Scholarship – 3301 North Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61114
If you are planning to enroll in the CNA program at Rock Valley Community College and are more than 30 years in age, you should apply for the Nancy E. Anderson scholarship program. Receive an application and all specifications by contacting a financial aid officer. This scholarship is intended to help individuals with financial need who are looking to train for a new career or to add to their current employment skills. A CNA program could be among those that would make you eligible to receive this fund for non-traditional students.
Carl Sandburg College – Datatel Returning Student Scholarship – Wilson Blvd. Galesburg, IL 61401
The scholarship is to help individuals who have not been in school for five years or more. The program is to help individuals looking to return to school to receive further education. This is something for which an individual could perhaps qualify if they are going to attend the Nursing Assistant Training Program at the college. If you are interested, you can contact the financial aid office for information. Applications can also processed online through the Financial Aid Page.
CNA Certification Information
Individuals seeking to become certified nursing assistants in the state of Illinois are required to meet all course requirements prior to sitting for the state certification exam. Before pursuing this area of study, there are requirements all potential students should consider.
In Illinois, all approved certified nursing assistant training programs must provide students with comprehensive instruction on the requirements to work in all types of licensed health care facilities including nursing homes, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, and intermediate care facilities. As part of the certification process, all CNA’s will have to undergo a thorough background check including a criminal investigation and fingerprinting.
Training programs are a minimum of 120 hours in length and are comprised of classroom lecture, laboratory, and at minimum 40 hours of supervised clinical experience in an approved clinical setting.
A trained nurse aide candidate taking the exam for the first time must successfully pass both parts of the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination within one 2 years of successfully completing a training program in order to be placed on the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry.
If a candidate can not finish both parts of the exam within 3 attempts than they will have to take the training program again before they can retake the cna exam.
If an individual has a period of 24 consecutive months in which he/she has not provided any nursing-related services for pay (note: any work provided for community service does not count), then he/she will lose their certification. Recertification may be accomplished by passing the skills competency test and written exam.
Applicants who have completed a CNA program out of state must be registered on the out-of-state nurse aide registry. The certification must be in good standing and free from any findings of patient abuse or neglect. The verification must come directly from the out-of-state registry or certification program directly to the Illinois CNA Certification.
CNA Training in Illinois
Individuals can become a certified nursing assistant in the state of Illinois upon successful completion of state approved course work and certification exam at an approved testing site. Training programs will adequately prepare students to sit for this exam. All programs are 120 hours and range from 8 weeks to a full semester in length. The cost of these programs is between $700 and $1800, though some long-term care facilities offer free training programs. Scholarships and student loans are available at colleges and technical schools to those who are enrolled. In some locations that offer free training, students may qualify for compensation during the clinical portion of the program, possibly tied to a commitment to work in the same facility after certification. Below is a list of approved CNA programs in the state of Illinois:
McHenry County College – 2 Frontier Drive, Fairfield, Illinois 62837
the MCC nursing course is a 7 credit hour program with a total of 144 hours which includes both practical and theory lessons. 48 hours of this is assigned to practical hands-on experience. the cost of this program is $1,068 which includes all related supplies. for details call (815) 455-3700
Harper College – 1200 W. Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067
The Certified Nursing Assistant Program is six-credit hour program that includes theory, lab and clinical experiences. This program can be completed in one semester. The course is offered at convenient day, evening and weekend schedules to accommodate student schedules. Clinical times may vary depending on the course enrolled. Total estimated cost of the program is $615 plus additional fees for text books, immunizations, and other course related supplies. For more information on the program, contact the Program Coordinator at 847.925.6559
College of DuPage – 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 | (630) 942-2800
The Certified Nursing Assistant program at College of DuPage is a one course, six credit hours program. The course is offered in various lengths from eight to 16 weeks, however, all meet the combination of class, and laboratory and clinical hours required. The total required number of hours is 160. Students are expected to do work as well outside of the scheduled class, lab and clinical meeting times. . Total estimated cost of the program is $792 plus additional fees for text books, immunizations, and other course related supplies.
College of Lake County – 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030-1198 | (847) 543-2043
The Nurses Assistant program at College of Lake County is a combination of classroom theory, campus laboratory skills practice, and clinicals, conducted at area Long Term Care Facilities. The 8 week classes meet 4 days a week, of which 2 days will be conducted in the clinical setting for 5 weeks. The weekend class meets every Friday and Saturday and clinicals are conducted on Saturdays for nine weeks. Classes are conducted at Grayslake, Lakeshore and Southlake campuses. Total estimated cost of the program is $1061 which includes text books, immunizations, and other course related supplies.
Harold Washington College – 30 East Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60601 | 312.553.5600
The Harold Washington College CNA program is a 1 semester certificate designed to educate the beginning nurse assistant in understanding and performing the tasks required to assist clients who are unable to perform their own care. This course utilizes classroom and laboratory sections to provide experience in the practice and perfection of technical skills. Supervised experience in a clinical setting provides students with the essentials needed to function effectively as a member of the health care team. The estimated cost of tuition is $968. Text book fees and all other fees are the responsibility of the student.
Triton College – 2000 Fifth Ave. River Grove, IL 60171 | (708) 456-0300
The Nurse Assistant Program at Triton College is a 7 credit, 165 hour training that provides opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills in the classroom and clinical setting. Upon successful completion of program, the student receives a certificate and becomes eligible to take the Illinois Nurse Aide Test which is required for certification by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The total estimated cost for the program is $1712 plus additional fees for course related materials.
COLLEGE REVIEWS.
Harper College – The college is safe, clean and mostly new. I love the resources that the college provides to the students. The college has a great connection with the community. They offer all types of classes to students of all ages and have great, helpful staff.
College of DuPage – A diverse institution in terms of students and teachers. The classes prepare students for further education. They also offer tutoring, counselling and extracurricular activities.
LICENSE TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER STATE TO ILLINOIS.
If you received your CNA certification in another state, you might be eligible to transfer that certification to Illinois. It will not be possible to transfer your nursing assistant certification if you have not worked as a CNA for two years or more.
The transfer process:
- Download the form for reciprocity from the Illinois nurse aide registry website.
- Fill out the form and ensure you provide accurate information. They will verify the information that you have provided with your current licensing body.
- Mail the completed form to: Illinois Department of Public Health
Health Care Worker Registry, 525 W. Jefferson St., Fourth Floor, Springfield, IL 62761, Phone 217-785-5133 Fax 217-524-0137 - They will then send you a fingerprint scan form. Using this form, go get your fingerprints at a registered facility near your area.
- Send the fingerprint form back to the registry, they will contact you in 14-21 days. If you do not meet the CNA regulations, you might need to retake either the exam only or the training too.
LICENSE TRANSFER FROM ILLINOIS TO ANOTHER STATE.
- Complete an application for a new CNA license for the state you are moving to.
- Submit a current and active official copy of your CNA license from your current state.
- Provide proof of continuous employment as a CNA from your employer in your current state.
- Submit a form for criminal background check.
FAQ’s
How much does CNA Training cost in Illinois?
The CNA Training program in Illinois costs approximately $1,200 depending on the facility or college you are applying to. If you’re taking the training course at a facility, they may allow you to pay the tuition right after you pass the CNA exam and get certified.
Can you take the CNA test without classes in Illinois?
To certify as a Nursing Assistant in Illinois, you are required to complete at least an accredited basic nursing assistant training program. You must also be at least 16 years old and complete a minimum of 8 years of grade school.
What skills and qualities should a CNA have?
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, consistency, empathy and compassion, knowledge of medical terminology and attention to detail are some of the most vital skills and qualities that a CNA should have.