Truman College Continuing Education Career Programs

Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA)

About the Program

Begin your healthcare career as a Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA). As a principal caregiver in a nursing home or hospital, you can interact with people in a positive, caring way while providing quality care.

Our state-approved BNA training will get you into one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of nursing assistants is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. Wages range from $7 to $13 per hour.

Truman College provides comprehensive theory and clinical training in hospitals and nursing homes. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to take the state certification examination.

Class Availability note

This program has limited seating, so classes may fill quickly.

Upcoming Courses

We've structured the courses so that you may attend daytime, evening, or weekend classes. Upcoming course dates follow:

Fall I

• Daytime program (8 weeks): August 23 to October 15
• Evening program (8 weeks): August 23 to October 13
• Weekend program (14 weeks): August 28 to December 11

Fall II

• Daytime program (8 weeks): October 18 to December 10
• Evening program (8 weeks): October 18 to December 11

Class Hours

Evening Program

• Theory training-Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 9:45 p.m.
• Clinical training-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Daytime Program

• Theory training-Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Clinical training-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Weekend Program

• Theory training-Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Clinical training-Last half of 14 weeks on Sundays

Course Fees

The fee of $940 must be paid in full on the registration date. Federal financial aid does not apply to the BNA program.

Other expenses include fees for a physical exam, uniform, textbook, thermometer, criminal background check ($28) and state competency exam ($60). These additional expenses total approximately $300.

The BNA program is covered by the WIA program, which provides training funds for unemployed or underemployed people. To find out if you are eligible, call the Department of Community Development at 312-744-3653.

Note--Fees are subject to change without notice. Out-of-district fees may be assessed for Illinois residents who live outside of Chicago. The current out-of-district fee is approximately $1500 in addition to the $940 course fee for the CNA program.

Prerequisites

Before you can register for the BNA classes, you must pass a placement test. The placement test is not required for college graduates or students who have successfully completed English 100 or above and Math 98 or above. To make an appointment for the placement test, call (773) 907-4834 or visit the Testing Center in Room L912. Bring a photo ID and a No. 2 pencil.

A high school diploma or GED certificate is recommended, but not required.

You must have a Social Security Number to enter the BNA program. This number is required to obtain a criminal background check and to apply for the state examination.

Computer Literacy Expectations

Students will need basic word processing and internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises, and projects.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, download the BNA Application or contact Shirley Reed, BNA Coordinator: 773-907-4458, sreed23@ccc.edu.

Additional information

Illinois Nurse Aide Testing

Dept. of Public Health, Disqualifying Convictions information

Illinois Nurses Association

Nursing Jobs

Access Nurses

Campus RN (job information)

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Resources

Career Cruising offers online career guidance and planning tools designed for people of all ages. You can find the right career, explore education and training options. Click here for more information. To use the site, use Truman as the user name, and ccc as the password.

Courses

Fundamentals of Nursing for Assistive Personnel
The student is introduced to the discipline of nursing and the basic approaches of patient care in this state-approved Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA) program. Students learn to care for the whole person and the concepts of nursing practice and meeting the basic needs of patients, multi-cultural society, and communication. The role of the BNA as an assistant to the licensed nurse and member of the health care team is studied and practiced in the classroom and laboratory.

Clinical for Assistive Personnel
The student applies the principles of patient care in a clinical setting. The concepts of caring for the whole person, nursing practice, multi-cultural society and communications are referenced as students assist the licensed nurse to meet the basic needs of patients.

Caring for the Older Adult
The concepts of caring for the whole person, nursing practice, multicultural society and communications are addressed as students assist the licensed nurse to meet the basic needs of the older person.