Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Program Length
16 Weeks
130 Hours
Degrees Offered
Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate
Your healthcare career starts here.
Whether you’re entering healthcare for the first time, looking for stable and meaningful work, or building toward a nursing degree, our CNA program in Chicago gives you the hands-on training, clinical experience, and personal support you need to succeed.
This is the first step in a healthcare career rooted in compassionate care, ethical practice, and a commitment to serving others. In just 16 weeks, you can be workforce-ready – prepared to sit for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam (INACE) and qualify for placement on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry.
Three Key Differentiators
- Start Your Nursing Journey at St. Augustine – Unlike many stand-alone CNA training programs, St. Augustine’s CNA certificate serves as a gateway into higher education and future health care careers. Students gain valuable patient care experience while building a foundation for continued study in nursing and healthcare professions.
- Mission-Driven, Compassionate Care Education – Students learn not only technical skills but also the ethical, professional, and human aspects of caregiving. Guided by St. Augustine’s values of Knowledge, Fidelity, Wisdom, Justice, and Association, graduates are prepared to care for patients with dignity, compassion, and respect.
- Hands-On Clinical Experience with Experienced Nursing Faculty – The program combines classroom instruction, skills laboratory experiences, simulation, and supervised clinical practice led by experienced nursing faculty. Students graduate prepared to sit for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam (INACE) and enter the healthcare workforce with confidence.
Why Earn Your CNA Certificate at St. Augustine College?
At St. Augustine, we know that the people who choose healthcare careers are driven by something deeper than a paycheck. You want to help. You want to grow. And you want an education that works around your real life.
Our CNA certification program in Chicago is built for students just like you, people who are ready to get into the workforce quickly, without sacrificing the quality of their training.
What makes St. Augustine different:
- Affordable, accessible education – We’re committed to keeping education affordable for all. Financial aid options are available for eligible students.
- A college that sees you – Small class sizes and one-on-one advising mean you’re never just a number here.
- Bilingual support – St. Augustine has a long tradition of supporting Spanish-speaking students. Start your studies in Spanish and finish in English.
- A direct pathway to nursing – Our CNA certificate is a stepping stone to St. Augustine’s Accelerated BSN program and other healthcare degrees.
- Chicago-based clinical training – Gain real-world experience in healthcare facilities right here in the Chicago area.
- Experienced healthcare faculty – Learn from instructors who bring clinical expertise and genuine mentorship into every classroom.
- More than technical training – You’ll develop the ethical, professional, and human dimensions of caregiving–communication, patient advocacy, cultural sensitivity, and compassionate care–the qualities healthcare employers seek and patients deserve.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your CNA in Illinois?
One of the most common questions we hear is: “How long does it take to be a CNA?
At St. Augustine, the CNA certificate can be completed in 16 weeks, just one semester. That means you can go from enrolled to employed in a matter of months.
- Students complete 130 clock hours of instruction, including classroom learning, skills laboratories, simulation experiences, and supervised clinical practice in healthcare settings.
This structure is designed to meet Illinois CNA requirements while getting you into the workforce as quickly as possible.
What You’ll Learn in Our CNA Program
Our Illinois-approved CNA training program gives you both the technical skills and the personal qualities healthcare employers are looking for. Through classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical experience, you’ll develop the confidence to provide safe, compassionate patient care from day one on the job.
Core skills and knowledge areas include:
- Assisting patients and residents with daily living activities
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Supporting patient mobility and comfort
- Applying infection control and safety procedures
- Communicating effectively with patients, families, and care teams
- Upholding patient rights, dignity, and professional ethics
- Recognizing and responding to changes in patient condition
Clinical Training in Chicago-Area Healthcare Settings
Our CNA clinical training goes beyond the classroom. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you’ll practice essential nursing assistant skills in real healthcare environments, developing the professionalism, compassion, and confidence that define a great CNA.
Clinical placements may include:
- Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Assisted living communities
- Community healthcare environments in the Chicago area
CNA Requirements in Illinois – Are You Ready to Apply?
To enroll in our CNA training program, students should meet the following Illinois CNA requirements and program prerequisites:
- At least 16 years of age
- High school diploma or GED (preferred)
- English language proficiency
- Criminal background check (required for clinical participation)
- Required immunizations and TB testing
- CPR/BLS certification prior to clinical rotations
- Ability to safely perform patient care activities, including lifting and assisting with patient movement
Not sure where to start? Our admissions advisors are here to help you navigate every step.
Where Can a CNA Certificate Take You?
Certified nursing assistants are in demand across the healthcare system, and that demand is only growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for nursing assistants is expected to remain steady as the population ages and healthcare needs increase.
Common work settings for CNA graduates include:
- Hospitals
- Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Assisted living communities
- Home healthcare agencies
And for many students, the CNA is just the beginning. At St. Augustine at Lewis University, your certificate can serve as a foundation for continued education and career advancement:
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) – St. Augustine offers a direct pathway to an accelerated BSN program, giving CNA graduates a head start in nursing school
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Patient Care Technician
A CNA credential gives you real clinical experience before you enter a nursing program, experience that makes you a stronger applicant and a better future nurse.
CNA Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of St. Augustine’s CNA certificate program will be able to:
- Deliver safe, compassionate, and person-centered care to patients and residents
- Apply infection control and safety practices that meeting Illinois state standards
- Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, and healthcare teams
- Perform essential nursing assistant skills with accuracy and confidence
- Demonstrate ethical conduct and a deep respect for patient dignity and rights
- Meet eligibility requirements to sit for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam (INACE)
Learn from Faculty Who’ve Been There
Our CNA courses are taught by experienced nursing professionals who bring real clinical knowledge along with genuine care for their students into every class. At St. Augustine, faculty invest in your success.
You’ll benefit from personalized guidance, practical skill instruction, and mentorship from instructors who understand what it takes to thrive in healthcare. That expertise doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Our instructors guide students through skills laboratories, simulation experiences, and supervised clinical placements — bringing the same level of mentorship and professional development into every environment where you learn.
Take the First Step Toward Your Healthcare Career
If you’re searching for CNA programs in Chicago that offer more than just a certification, St. Augustine is ready for you. Our program is affordable, accessible, and designed to open doors to employment, to continued education, and to a career that matters.
Ready to begin? Request info or apply today.
