Enrollment Requirements
All students planning to enroll in the CNA course (NURS 110) must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the Heartland basic skill assessment in English and math and place into MATH 087 or higher and GED 70 (formerly ENGL 98) or higher.
- Criminal Background Check: In accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), a Livescan fingerprint criminal background check must be completed and results received before a student may attend clinical. Students will complete the Authorization to Conduct Background Check form (requires Social Security number) on the first day of class and will be scheduled for fingerprinting. A disqualifying conviction will prevent participation in the clinical component unless an IDPH waiver has been granted prior to the first day of clinical. For more information, see IDPH waiver instructions .
Enrollment Considerations
Class Attendance
Attendance at all class sessions is required. Students exceeding IDPH allowances (6 hours of theory/lab and 7 hours of clinical) or missing required curriculum content will be dropped from the course.
CNA Class Format
NURS 110 is offered in both 16-week and accelerated 8-week formats.
Clinical experience is a required component of this course. It is completed in area nursing homes and occurs during the last 4 weeks of an 8-week session and the last 8 weeks of a 16-week session.
General Functional Ability
Students enrolled in the CNA course must be able to perform the CNA Functional Abilities with or without reasonable accommodations. Students are encouraged to contact Student Access and Accommodation Services with any concerns.
English as a Second Language Students
Clear communication is vital to student and patient safety. According to IDPH , a CNA must be able to speak and understand English or a language understood by a substantial percentage of a facility’s residents. Please contact HCC Adult Education with any related concerns.
Clinical Requirements
Academic Performance
CNA students must achieve an 80% or greater test average at midterm to continue in the course and attend clinical. An 80% test average and final grade are required to pass the course and qualify for the state exam.
Health Requirements
A physical exam using the HCC CNA form must be completed by the deadline listed on the course calendar to attend clinical. Students must also complete a TB test within 90 days of the first day of clinical (two-step TB test, QuantiFERON Gold, or T-spot).
All students must provide a COVID vaccination card or a professional medical or religious exemption per Illinois Department of Public Health regulations.
