Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program in Peoria, Illinois
*No Longer Enrolling Students*
Become A Nursing Assistant With Methodist College
Ready to begin a career in healthcare? Methodist College offers a 9-week, flexible, Nursing Assistant program catering to both students and working adults. Our program is certified through the Illinois Department of Public Health, and prepares students to sit for the State of Illinois Nurse Aide Exam.
Nursing Assistants are in high-demand in the Peoria area and are considered Critical Professions by the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. Local employers are actively recruiting Nursing Assistants for positions in a variety of health care settings. Some of these employers offer tuition reimbursement for Nursing Assistants who want to continue pursuing their education in other health related fields.
About Our CNA Program
The Methodist College Nursing Assistant program includes one course (NA150) that prepares students to deliver patient care on a team led by a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in a patient care environment, including hospitals, extended care facilities, home care agencies and other related organizations.
Students receive skills training in:
- Patient-nursing assistant relationships;
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Bathing, feeding, dressing, and transporting patients in hospitals and nursing homes
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
The NA150 course is taught over a nine-week period, and is traditionally offered evenings and weekends during the fall and spring semesters, and weekday mornings during the summer semester.
Students will spend:
- 90 hours in a classroom, lab, or simulation setting learning theory and clinical skills.
- 45 Hours in a clinical placement in a hospital and/or local long-term facility.
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the State of Illinois, individuals must complete an approved nursing assistant course and then pass the State of Illinois Nurse Aide Exam. Students who successfully complete the Methodist College Nursing Assistant course are eligible to sit for the certification exam.
Advantages of Our Program
- Learn in our state-of-the-art Simulation and Clinical Practice centers
- On-campus program focused on healthcare and human services
- Side by side with nursing students and other healthcare providers
- Clinical experiences in hospital settings
What is a CNA?
Nursing Assistants work directly with patients in a variety of health care environments. Nursing Assistants help dress and feed patients, keep bed linens fresh, aid in turning, walking or moving a patient into a wheelchair, take vitals, feed and work closely with other personnel to observe, report and document changes in the patient. Nursing Assistants are true care givers who work in health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care settings and hospice organizations.
The close interaction with patients is very rewarding because the care the Nursing Assistant provides is so vital to every patient. Some Nursing Assistants use their experience to build their careers in health care by becoming medical assistants, nurses, lab technicians, therapists or a number of other positions in the field. Being a Nursing Assistant develops practical knowledge, hands-on experience and access to the health care system.
Download Brochure
Admission Requirements
High school diploma or GED, or 16 years of age and a student in good standing with a high school GPA of 2.0, and:
1. 10th grade Reading level and 10th grade Math level. Any one of the following indicators will serve as validation:
- Appropriate Accuplacer Reading score and Math score
- An office TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) score from a certified institution (GED program, Career Link or similar) at or above 10th grade Reading and 10th grade Math
- Successful completion score of an Accuplacer exam as designed and reviewed by Methodist College Arts and Sciences faculty
- Current admission or enrollment in any Methodist College bachelor's degree program
- Transfer level credit from another college (100 level or above)
- Appropriate SAT Reading and Writing score, and Math score
2. Negative drug screen
3. Immunization records two weeks before program classes begin
4. Criminal Background Check with no disqualifying convictions, and
5. Proof of malpractice insurance
Nursing Assistant Tuition and Fees*
Tuition for the Nursing Assistant program is $900.00
Fees billable through your student account for the program total $90 and include:
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$50 Technology Fee
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$30 Parking Fee
-
$10 medical malpractice insurance
Total Tuition and Fees paid to Methodist College: $990.00
Miscellaneous costs include:
- $25 application fee (paid to the College prior to admission to the NA Program)
- $45/$50 Fingerprinting-Background Check Fee (paid to vendor at the time of fingerprinting)
- $35 CastleBranch Fee (paid directly to CastleBranch when setting up the online portal to upload required health records)
- State Certification Test Fee (Paid to State of Illinois Nurse Aide Exam provider)
- $60 Methodist College scrubs (Methodist College Campus Store)
- Supplies
*Subject to change without notice.
Nursing Assistant Program Tuition Payment Plan
Nursing Assistant Tuition Payment Schedule and Reimbursement Schedule (PDF)
Financial Assistance
While traditional financial aid is not available for students enrolled in the Nursing Assistant course, there are organizations that may provide financial assistance to eligible students for tuition or supplies and related expenses.
Jon Denzer Bear Hug Foundation
PCCEO
For additional information, contact the Methodist College Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@methodistcol.edu.
Information for Eligible Military Personnel
Some military personnel may be eligible to become a CNA via U.S. military training. Eligible personnel are those who have successfully completed a U.S. Military training program that includes the content of a nurse aide training program.
For more information on eligibility requirements and application information please visit the Illinois Nurse Aide Testing website.
For More Information
Please contact a Methodist College Recruitment Coordinator at admissions@methodistcol.edu or (309) 672-5513 for additional information on admission requirements.
CNA Recertification
CNA Recertification is for individuals who have previously practiced as a CNA in the state of Illinois, but have not provided nursing or nursing related services for pay in 24 consecutive months, which results in the loss of certification. Please contact SIU CNA Program
CNA Test Prep
Methodist College offers a CNA Test Prep course to give you the edge you need to be successful with the Nurse Assistant state certification exam. Our certified instructor will use the results of the first practice test to customize the instruction in class. Two practice tests (before and after instruction) will make you feel more at ease when you sit for the exam!
No upcoming courses scheduled. Please return here periodically for an updated schedule.
Ready to sit for the state exam? Methodist College is an approved provider of the Illinois Nurse Aide Test. Please visit the Testing Center page for upcoming exam dates.