Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certificate

Students in a certified nursing assistant program taking blood pressure

Become a certified nursing assistant

Nursing Assistant Career Overview

Job Titles: Certified Nursing Assistant, Nursing Aide, Patient Care Technician. To learn more, see the Nursing Assistant Career Profile.

Prepare for a career as a certified nursing assistant with this certificate program. You’ll learn basic skills needed to assist nurses in the care of patients across a wide variety of health care settings and provide basic bedside care such as eating, dressing and bathing.

After completing the program, you’ll qualify for full-time employment in long-term care facilities, home health agencies, hospitals and other settings. Courses taken for the CNA program can also be applied to the Mental Health Technician.

For information on how to get started, see the CNA Admissions page.

Program benefits

Get hands-on experience practicing your skills in Harper College’s Nursing Laboratory, a state-of-the-art simulated clinical environment.
Take CNA classes at Harper's main campus in Palatine or at the Learning and Career Center in Prospect Heights.
Dual-credit classes for Harper's CNA program are available at participating high schools.

CNA Certificate program requirements

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CNA program learning outcomes

Communicate effectively with patients, family and staff.
Demonstrate basic nursing skills while caring for patients.
Establish and maintain a safe and pleasant environment.
Follow the nursing care plan in providing care.
Give simple emotional and psychological support to the patient and family members.
Identify the organization of the health care institution and its function.
Record observations and maintain records specific to the long-term facility and/or hospital or home health agency.
Report observations related to the patient's condition to an immediate supervisor.

Related nursing programs

Students interested in nursing may also be interested in:

CNA resources

For more information about CNA courses at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Please note: This program is not financial aid eligible.