If you’re looking to work as a CNA, you can get Free CNA classes in IL from over 6 different training centers. A CNA in Illinois can expect to make about $19000 in most nursing care facilities but can make up to an average of $28,000 in hospital and more specialized settings. This article will help you learn some potential ways to receive CNA training at an affordable price and perhaps even for free.
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Training requirements for CNA’s in Illinois
You will need to complete a basic nursing assistant training program before sitting for the Illinois CNA licensing exam. You cannot sit for the exam if you complete a course that is not state approved. Visit here to find applicable courses: https://hcwbcsearch.dph.illinois.gov/BgChecks.Public/Programs.aspx. The program cannot be less than 120 hours and must include 80 hours of theory instruction and 40 hours of clinical training.
[su_note]Nursing students who have received 40 hours of clinical instruction and who have completed Nursing 101 may also qualify to come certified. The same is true of people who served as US military hospital corpsman or medical service specialists.[/su_note]
Financial Assistance to become a CNA in Illinois
Lewis and Clark Community College
National Great Rivers Confluence Campus-Alton, IL 62024
The Calvin and Juanita Ritchey Whitlock Educational Scholarship might be able to help students who are planning to take the nursing assistant training program at Lewis and Clark. This scholarship is to help individuals who are looking to obtain more education by attending the community college. Eligible students must be graduates of Southwestern or Jerseyville high schools. Students must submit a high school transcript. If a student is already attending the college, they need to submit their college transcript as well. Applicants must have been born in Jersey County and therefore will need to submit their birth certificate to show they were. There is an application that must be completed in its entirety. And finally, students will submit a copy of their Lewis and Clark Community College scheduled courses. Applications must be sent to the Jersey State Bank for consideration of this particular financial scholarship. There is no specific amount that will be granted for this scholarship. It depends on how many funds are in the account to distribute in a given year of application. The application itself is pretty simple to complete and is only one page that needs to be filled out and submitted with the other required paperwork.
Aviston Countryside Manor
450 West First Street- Aviston, IL 62216
Aviston Countryside Manor has a CNA training program. There are opportunities for individuals to receive this training for free in some circumstances. It is quite possible that you will not need to pay for training if you have been hired to work as Aviston Countryside Manor. These places will often hire people who do not yet have their certification and train you right at their facility so they know you have the training and skills they want from their own CNA staff. If you are not going to work for Aviston Countryside Manor, you may be able to get training their without any cost or any significant cost to you. There are other nursing care and healthcare facilities who will also hire individuals to work as a CNA for them and then will pay for and send them to a trusted program such as the one at Aviston Countryside Manor. Keep in mind that if your employer training you as a CNA at no direct cost for you, they will require that you work in that capacity for them for a certain amount of months or years after you receive your training and become fully certified
Schools and Colleges Offering CNA Classes in IL
A Plus Healthcare Training
366 South Main Street-Barlett IL 60103
A Plus Healthcare training has small class sizes so that students can get the most form their training as a CNA. The school offers various training options with flexible schedules so that individuals who cannot study and train during the day can still obtain their nursing assistant education. Students will gain hands on experience while also having visual and audio aids to better help them understand the materials and how they are applied to day to day work as a nursing aide. The school has up to date equipment that will have tools much like those a nursing assistant will be suing on a regular basis. Well qualified and experienced individuals teach the course on both the lecture and the hands on experience level. Tuition for this course is $1050, making it a good value for those who are looking to state this very interesting career.
Shawnee Community College
350 Dundee Road-Wheeling, IL 60090
Shawnee Community College offers a 6 credit hour CNA training track. This course will include 5 hours of lecture per week. There will be an additional two hours of labs weekly. Tuition per credit hour is $109 for Shawnee College District residents. Illinois residents who live out of the district will need to pay $170 for each credit hour. This makes the CNA training course affordable for everyone. The CNA training class will teach entry level health concepts that then can be applied to daily nursing assistant tasks and duties. Students will receive hands on training to help them familiarize with the day to day function of a nursing assistant. Enrollment is available for the nursing assistant course in the fall, spring and even in the summer semesters. Students must apply to be admitted specifically to the CNA training course if they want to be considered for acceptance into the program.
Harper College
1200 West Algonquin Road –Palatine, IL 60067
Harper College costs $119.25 for each credit hour of study. The Harper College CNA training course includes 6 credit hours of study. Students will receive some real life training in this course through clinical rounds. This will be in addition to the classroom instruction teaching the basic background and theory of entry level nursing care. There will also be simulated skills labs were students will practice CNA skills and the use of CNA medical equipment. Students need to have a criminal background check and be able to show their social security number when they apply for the course. Students will be able to sit for the state’s certification test if they complete all aspects of the Harper College CNA exam successfully. The college strives to prepare students well by providing more instruction and hands on experience than even required in the state for nursing assistant programs.
Application Process
After you complete a basic nursing assistant training program, you can apply to sit for the Illinois CNA licensing exam.
You will need to schedule your exam and can find dates and times of upcoming tests by visiting:
http://www.nurseaidetesting.com/nurse-aide-students/test-sites.
Your training program will usually include assistance in applying to sit for the exam. There is an application you will have to complete which will show you have met the training requirements and have a criminal history clear of any convictions that would preclude you from working as a CNA. There is a fee of $65 to sit for the exam.
Please remember that you need to submit your application a few weeks before the date of the testing session you wish to sit for. If you have previously failed the exam, you will need to apply to sit for the test again and will need to pay a fee of $35.
[su_highlight]Nurses and certain military medical personnel can apply to become a CNA. If you think you might qualify visit: http://www.idph.state.il.us/nar/home.htm for more details and an application.[/su_highlight]
Test layout
The exam to become a certified nursing assistant has two components. There is a written exam where you will be tested on the information you learned during the lecture and theory portion of your training. You will also have a skills test where you will need to reflect your knowledge and ability to carry out various CNA duties. If you pass one part of the test but not the other, you cannot become certified until you pass both sections.
Recertification for out of state CNAs
You can apply to become certified as a CNA in Illinois without taking the exam again if you are listed on the CNA registry in good standing in another state. You must have met all government requirements to work as a nursing assistant. If your certification in the other state lapsed, you will need to take the exam again (both parts) before you can apply to be listed on the registry.
Places You Can Work After Certification
Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka
610 Cruger, Eureka, IL 61530
Covenant Health Care Center-Batavia
831 North Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510
Farmington Country Manor
701 South Main Street, Farmington, IL 61531
Fayette County Hospital
650 W Taylor St., Vandalia, IL 62471
Knox County Nursing Home
800 North Market Street, Knoxville, IL 61448
Lexington of Elmhurst
420 West Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Manorcare of Elk Grove Village
1920 Nerge Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Memorial Care Center
4315 Memorial Drive, Belleville, IL 62226
Miller Health Care Center
1601 Butterfield Trail, Kankakee, IL 60901
Regency Care of Sterling
612 West St. Mary’s Street, Sterling, IL 61081
CNA Training Center Reviews in IL
Harper College – The campus is safe, clean and mostly new. The college is a great opportunity for everyone who is focused in education. It is incredibly affordable and convenient for students who work or need to take care of their children.
CNA Training FAQs
Where do CNAs work? CNAs work in hospitals, nursing care facilities or in a patient’s home under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
How long does it take to complete the program? 16 weeks.
Will I get a job when I’m done? There is a great need for CNAs and graduates of this program have been very successful in obtaining employment. Several graduates have found jobs through attending the Career Day program and there they can interview up to 15 employers.