Nurse Assistant
This curriculum meets the mandates of the Illinois Department of Public Health to be eligible to take the competency exam for nurse aide and home health aide. The curriculum is conducted over an eight or sixteen week period and consists of classroom and clinical learning activities. The program prepares a student to assist with the care of the sick and the infirm under the supervision of registered nurses or other licensed professionals.
Work and Employment
Nursing assistants work directly with the patient giving physical care and emotional support. The nursing assistant helps patients with personal hygiene, nutrition, elimination and mobility. Nursing assistants work for nursing homes, hospitals, temporary help agencies and home care agencies. Advancement in the health care field for nursing assistants is possible with further education.
Special Considerations
In order to become a certified nursing assistant, one must complete a state-approved program like the one at SVCC and pass the Nurse Assistant Competency Evaluation.
Enrollment Criteria
- Candidate must be at least 16 years of age.
- Candidates who do not have a high school diploma or GED must be able to read at grade level 8 or have permission of instructor.
- Upon enrollment to the program, the student will need to meet health and immunization requirements. These requirements are detailed at the first class session.
Estimated Program Cost
The following figures are based on 2024-25 tuition and fee rates and the course fees in the Class Schedule for the required minimum number 8 credit hours.
| In-District | Out-of-District | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,200.00 | $2,880.00 | $3,216.00 |
| Fees | $144.00 | $144.00 | $144.00 |
| Course Fees | * $0.00 | * $0.00 | * $0.00 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $1,344.00 | $3,024.00 | $3,360.00 |
* Note: Course fees may vary depending upon the classes that a student completes within an academic program. The course fee above is only an estimation and represents the maximum course fees possible; it is likely that course fees will be lower than the estimation above.