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 various health care facilities. 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
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Enroll at Rock Valley College
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Placement testing
(See the
Testing Center
or
Records & Registration
for other placement measures that may be used to determine placement.)
English requirement:
Students must be ENG 098 eligible or tested out according to ACT/SAT scores within the last 3 years, or have completed Accuplacer® testing.
- ACT English sub-score: minimum of 19
- SAT Reading & Writing sub-score: minimum of 480
- Accuplacer® score: 227 or higher
Math requirement:
Students must be MTH 096A eligible or tested out according to ACT/SAT scores within the last 3 years, or have completed Accuplacer® testing.
- ACT score: minimum of 18
- SAT Math sub-score: minimum of 470
- Accuplacer® Quantitative Reasoning score: 227 or higher
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Fingerprinting: Criminal background check
- Requires a valid Social Security number and photo ID
- Fee (subject to change)
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A student’s criminal background may prevent participation in clinical practice, which may prevent program admission.
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Register for NAD 101
Program Standards and Expectations
Students are required to attend all days of the Nursing Aide Program, as mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This requirement includes orientation days, lectures, skills lab, and clinical experiences. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to clinical sites.
The Nursing Aide Program requires a minimum grade of 80% (C) 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).
Health Requirements
- Drug testing – 10‑panel
- Proof of two MMR vaccines or titer
- Proof of three Hep B vaccines or titer
- Proof of two Varicella vaccines or titer
- Proof of Tdap vaccine within the last 10 years
- TB test – two‑step or blood draw
- Seasonal flu vaccine / COVID vaccine
Fees
The Nursing Aide Program provides clinical education at various health care facilities. The Nursing Aide Program must adhere to the requirements of these facilities. All admitted students are required to provide the following at their own expense.
- Physical examination with no lifting restrictions and immunization records
- Other requirements, including uniform and shoes, criminal background check, textbooks, and state examination
Program Completion
Upon successful completion of the Nursing Aide program, students will sit for the Illinois Nurse Assistant/Aide Competency Examination to earn the credential of CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).
This examination process includes additional fees.
- Approximately $85 (fees subject to change)
Requirements
Course Requirements