Program Overview
The Nursing Aide Certificate prepares students to move quickly into the health care workforce and enter a pathway to Allied Health and Nursing Careers. Graduates work as caregivers in all types of healthcare facilities and agencies. As a health team member, nursing assistants work under the supervision of nurses and provide routine care and basic nursing duties related to patient care. A flexible program of scheduled options includes morning, afternoon, or evening sessions. Mandatory health requirements must be met. Students who complete the program with a grade “C” or better are eligible for the Nurse Training Competency Evaluation. The program has a mandatory requirement of 80 hours of theory in the classroom and 40 hours of clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Mandatory classroom, skill labs, and clinical experiences will prepare students to take the state test required for certification as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). This course is a prerequisite for an A.A.S. Degree in the Nursing Program.
Application Process and Deadlines
- Enroll at Rock Valley College
- Placement Testing
(*See Testing Center or Records & Registration for other placement measures that may be used to determine placement)
Reading Requirement: Students must have successfully completed RDG 098 with a “C” or higher or tested out according to ACT/SAT within the last 3 years, or completed Accuplacer® Testing:
- ACT Score: Minimum of 19
- SAT Score: Minimum of 480
- Accuplacer® Score: 227 or higher
Math Requirement: Students must have successfully completed MTH 096A with a “C” or higher or tested out according to ACT/SAT within the last 3 years, or completed Accuplacer® Testing:
- ACT Score: Minimum of 18
- SAT Score: Minimum of 470
- Accuplacer® Elem. Algebra Score: 220 or higher
- Accuplacer® Quantitative Reasoning Score: 227 or higher
- Attend a Tech Connect Session.
To sign up for a session call (815) 921-4094.
- Attend the MANDATORY Admission Prerequisite (MAP) Session
- Register online at the Nursing Assistant Website
- Held once a month
- If students do not attend this, they will not be able to register for the course
- Fingerprinting: Criminal Background Check
- Information will be given at the MANDATORY Admission Prerequisite Session
- Required a valid Social Security Number and photo I.D.
- Fee: (subject to change)
- It is possible that a student’s criminal background will prevent participation in clinical practice, thereby preventing program admission.
- Register for NAD 101
Program Standards and Expectations
Students are required to attend all days of the Nursing Aide program. This is mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This includes attendance to orientation days, lectures, skills lab and clinical. All students are expected to provide their own transportation to clinical sites.
The Nursing Aide Program requires a “C,” which is 80% to pass.
Age Requirement
Students must be a minimum of 16 years of age at the beginning of NAD 101.
CPR Requirement
At or before course completion, students must have CPR certification (Healthcare provider/BLS).
Fees
The Nursing Aide Program provides clinical education at various long-term care facilities. The nursing aide program must adhere to these facilities’ requirements. All admitted students will be required to provide the following at the expense of the student.
- Physical exam with NO lifting restrictions
- TB 2-Step or blood test
- Seasonal Flu Vaccine / COVID Vaccine
- Other: uniform/shoes, criminal background check, textbooks, state exam
Program Completion
Upon successful completion of the Nursing Aide program, students will sit for the Illinois Nurse Assistant/Aide Competency Examination to earn the credentials of CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).
This process has additional fees.
- Approximately $85 (fees subject to change)
Requirements
Course Requirements