CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE - General Info
Certified nurse aides play a key role as members of the comprehensive healthcare team in a variety of medical settings. If you are interested in providing personal care, compassion, and empathy for patients, this may be the career for you!
CNAs provide activities of daily living care for patients including bathing, feeding, and dressing. Preventing the spread of germs; dietary care to provide adequate nutrition; monitoring vital signs; emotional support; and observing for resident changes are all part of this important career.
This course prepares you to take the nursing assistant state certification exam.
Background Check:
• As required by Iowa law, criminal history and child and dependent adult abuse record check must be completed to determine eligibility for clinical participation.
This program includes an additional acceptance process. Detailed information is available through the Admissions Office.
Graduates are eligible to take the State Certification Exam administered by Headmaster. Passing this
exam is required to be listed on the Direct Care Workers’ Registry. NCC’s CNA graduates have exceptional
pass rates for the state exam.
CNAs have many employment options including long term care facilities, hospitals, group homes, residential facilities, and home health care.
*Recommended to be at least age 15 to take the CNA class. To work as a CNA you must be at least 16.
Award
- Certificate
Length
- 76 Hours – 30 hours classroom theory, 16 hours of lab skills, 30 hours of clinical training in a long term care facilty
- New Class Sessions Start Monthly
Student Profile
- Excellent people skills
- Genuine desire to care for people
- Communication skills
- Possess math & science background
Program Location
- NCC’s campus or your local high school
Contact Admissions
-
712-301-2573 | 712-301-1401 |
712-301-7033 - 800-352-4907
- Email Admissions
Student Story Amalia Feliciano
“The most rewarding thing is spending time with the patients and really getting to know them. If you have a compassionate heart and want to help people, being a CNA is a job for you.”
CNA
Sioux Center, IA
More Information
- Cost - see below
- State competency testing is scheduled several times each month.
- Courses may require attendance on one Saturday.
- Criminal Background Check- Form
- Clinical sites to be announced at class.
- Placement Report
- Take a virtual tour of NCC’s Health Sciences Building
Frequently Asked Questions
CNAs have many employment options including long term care facilities, hospitals, group homes, residential facilities, and home health care.
The average base wage starts at $13.72-$20/hour, with credit given for years of experience. Most facilities offer a comprehensive benefit package, including shift and weekend pay increases, vacation days, and health insurance. Some facilities offer a substantial sign on bonus.
The CNA course consists of 30 hours of classroom theory, 16 hours of skills in a lab setting, and 30 hours of clinical training in a long term care facility.
There is a high demand for certified nurse aides. Students who complete the 76 hour nurse aide course and pass the state certification exam are ready for employment.
Brittany Fuerstenberg
CNA Coordinator
712-324-5061 or 800-352-4907 ext. 291
bfuerstenberg@nwicc.edu
Requirements for this program
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CNA CERTIFICATE | ||
| HSC173-C | Nurse Aid Theory | 3 |
| HSC174-C | Nurse Aid Clinical | 1 |
| Total Credits | 4 |
Program Dates/Cost
Program Update Starting August 1, 2026
Starting August 1, 2026 the CNA program is now a state recognized program at NCC. This is now a 4 credit course. The entire 76 hour course will now take broken up into two sections. The first section is 46 hours which consists of theory and lab. The second section is 30 hours of clinical which takes place at an assigned long term care facility. Students must sign up for a theory/lab course (HSC173) as well as a clinical rotation (HSC174). The clinical portion of this program can not be completed until the student has completed the 46 hours of theory/lab. The cost is $892.00.
Step 1: Choose Your Class Section
| Course Name | Date | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August Hybrid 1 | August 5-September 25 | Hybrid | Lab 4:00pm-8:30pm – W | Sheldon |
| October Hybrid 4 | October 1-November 20 | Hybrid | Lab 4:00pm-8:30pm – W | Sheldon |
| November Hybrid 5 | November 5-December 22 | Hybrid | Lab 4:00pm-8:30pm – W | Sioux Center |
| August F2F 1 | August 24-November 13 | M-W-F | 8:00am-9:30am | Sheldon |
| August F2F 2 | August 24-November 13 | M-W-F | 2:00pm-3:30pm | Marcus |
| August F2F 3 | August 25-October 22 | T-TH | 1:00pm-4:00pm | Sheldon |
| August F2F 4 | August 24-November 23 | M-T-W-F | 8:00am-9:30am | Orange City |
| August F2F 5 | August 24-November 23 | M-T-W-F | M-T-W – 11:45am-12:45pm F – 11:30am-12:30pm | Orange City |
| August F2F 6 | August 24-November 23 | M-T-W-F | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Sioux Center |
| GLR CNA | September 1-October 23 | M-T-W-TH-F | 6:30am-8:00am | GLR High School |
| West Lyon CNA | August 31-November 24 | M-T-W-F | 10:00am-11am | West Lyon High School |
Step 2: Choose Your Class Section
The clinical portion of this program can not be completed until the student has completed the 46 hours of theory/lab.
| Course Name | Dates | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | 10/05, 10/07, 10/12, 10/14,10/19, 10/21 | Monday – Wednesday | 4:00pm-9:30pm | Sibley Specialty Care |
| Group 2 | 11/03, 11/05,11/10, 11/12, 11/17, 11/19 Make Up 11/23 | Tuesday – Thursday | 4:00p-9:30p | Prairie Ridge |
| Group 4 | 11/30, 12/02, 12/07, 12/09, 12/14, 12/16 Make Up 12/21 | Monday – Wednesday | 4:00pm-9:00p | Fellowship Village |
| Group 6 | 12/02, 12/03,12/09, 12/10,12/16, 12/17 | Monday-Thursday | 4:00p-9:30p | Sanford Senior Care |
| Group 7 | 10/28, 11/04, 11/11,11/18, 12/02, 12/09, 12/16 | Wednesday | 4:00p-9:30p | Osceola Senior Living |
| Group 8 | 11/16, 11/23,11/30, 12/07, 12/14, 12/21 Make Up 12/22 | Monday | 4:00p-9:30p | Sibley Specialty Care |
| Group 10 | 12/02,012/03, 12/09, 12/10, 12/16, 12/17 | Wednesday-Thursday | 4:00p,-9:30pm | Prairie View |
| Group 11 | 11/30, 12/1, 12/2, 12/4, 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/11, 12/14, 12/15 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday | 6:00am-9:00am | Praire Ridge |
| Group 12 | 11/23, 11/24, 12/1, 12/5, 12/10 | Monday, Tuesday, 1 Saturday, 1 Thursday | All 2:30pm-9:00pm EXCEPT 12/5 is 6:00am-2:30pm | Happy Siesta |
Subject to Change.
- Tuition assistance is available.
- Fee includes tuition, textbook, materials, background check, and first attempt for state competency testing.
- Uniform/scrubs, closed toe shoes, a watch with a second hand, 2-step TB test, and a health physical are all required for the clinical portion of the program.
Program Application Process
- Please submit an application for admission. (You will want to create an account and then select “Associate of Arts: Non-Degree Seeking” for your Academic Program).
- Once officially accepted (watch your email) contact Student Services at 712-324-5061 or email.
- Watch your email for orientation and welcome materials within two weeks of the start of class.
State competency exam schedule can be found at nwicc.edu/events/nurse-aide-competency-exam/
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office will work with you to reach the goal of attending college. Federal and state programs, scholarships and other funding sources, may be available to help you to afford college. We know there are a lot of questions and stress planning to pay for a college education. The Financial Aid Office staff administers aid programs and counsels students in planning individual methods of meeting college costs. Contact the Financial Aid Office for answers to any questions regarding financial aid. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started! Northwest Iowa Community College follows a nationally accepted philosophy in administering financial aid programs.
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