Nursing Assistant Short-Term Certificate

Become a Certified Nursing Assistant. As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), you will be equipped to work in a variety of health care settings, including a hospital, skilled nursing facility, long-term care, hospice or home care setting. If after the course you successfully complete the State of Iowa certification exam, you will be placed on the State Registry, which is required for working in Iowa as a CNA.

Students taking the 150-hour Nursing Assistant (NA) course to fulfill the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program requirements should not complete the Nursing Assistant Registration Packet. After completing the College application, students who are admitted to the College will receive an Admit Packet in the mail directing them to sign up for a New Student Orientation and Registration session. Students will register for a NA course designated for nursing students and any unmet liberal arts and science course requirements during that session.

Length of Program

Certificate programs are held over the course of just 7-14 weeks. A variety of day and evening courses are available. To learn more about the upcoming program sessions check out the schedule or call
(515) 643-6715.

Course Content

150-Hour Program

This program is designed for individuals seeking employment as a nursing assistant in a variety of health care settings, including a hospital, skilled nursing facility, long-term care, hospice, or home care setting. Upon successful completion the student is qualified to take the state written and skills competency test.

In the advanced care section of the Nurse Aide curriculum you will be required to take a CPR course. Your instructor will give you more information about this on your first day of class. If you have taken a recent CPR course in the last (3) months, you will be required to show a valid CPR card in class.

75-Hour Advanced Care Program

This program is designed for individuals who have previously taken the 75-hour program and wish to advance their skills. This program provides advanced care information for individuals seeking employment in a hospital, hospice or home care setting. This curriculum includes a CPR course. Your instructor will give you more information about this on your first day of class. If you have taken a recent CPR course in the last (3) months, you will be required to show a valid CPR card in class.

30-Hour Advanced Care Program

This course is for individuals who have previously taken the 120-hour NA program and need to complete the full 15-hour NA content as a prerequisite to the ASN program. This course provides the didactic content and skills bridging the 120-hour NA content with the 150-hour NA content.

Clinical Training

Students will receive a total of 60 hours of clinical experience; 30 hours are spent in a skilled or long-term care setting, and 30 hours are spent in a hospital setting.

Expected Level of Income

In Des Moines, Iowa, the pay rate for a certified nursing assistant varies from $10 to $11 per hour ($20,800 to $22,880 annually).