Maria Delgado, RN
June 23, 2025
Healthcare facilities rely heavily on Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who assist both nurses and patients across hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare environments. The Illinois healthcare system depends on CNAs to perform vital patient care duties which include bathing patients and feeding them as well as taking their vital signs. The staff members assist with both patient protection and comfort maintenance. Patient care delivery depends heavily on the essential contributions of this role.
Chicago, IL - Public 2-Year - ccc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Malcolm X College's Basic Nursing Assistant Training prepares healthcare professionals for entry-level Certified Nursing Assistant roles in just eight weeks. Students gain essential skills to work in diverse medical settings, with five annual sessions offering flexible scheduling. The program serves as a critical pathway to advanced nursing education and provides a foundational stepping stone for those seeking careers in healthcare.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The BNA Fundamentals and Clinical, Basic Certificate at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College prepares students for a rewarding career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). This program covers patient care basics, nursing discipline, and the CNA's role in healthcare teams. Graduates must pass the Illinois state exam to certify. Ideal for those seeking entry into healthcare, offering hands-on training in classroom, lab, and clinical settings. Admissions require eligible English and Math levels, medical exam docs, and official transcripts.
Quincy, IL - Public 2-Year - jwcc.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
John Wood Community College's Basic Nursing Assistant Program provides comprehensive training for aspiring healthcare professionals seeking certification as Nursing Assistants. This hybrid program combines classroom theory, laboratory demonstrations, and clinical practice, equipping students with essential skills in patient care, anatomy, vital signs, and rehabilitation. With an affordable in-district tuition of $1,190 for 7 credit hours, students gain practical experience in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies while learning person-centered care principles.
Des Plaines, IL - Public 2-Year - oakton.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Oakton College's Basic Nurse Assistant Training (BNAT) prepares students for an in-demand healthcare career. This eight-credit certificate program equips learners with essential skills for providing patient care in hospitals, nursing facilities, and home health settings. Students gain hands-on clinical experience and can complete the program in one semester, with opportunities to interview with multiple employers upon graduation.
Normal, IL - Public 2-Year - heartland.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Heartland Community College's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program prepares students for essential healthcare roles across diverse settings. This comprehensive 8-credit program combines 90 hours of theory and lab with 50 clinical hours, ensuring comprehensive training. With an impressive 98% state exam pass rate, students gain critical skills for nursing homes, hospitals, and private care environments.
Fairfield, IL - Public 2-Year - iecc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Frontier Community College offers a comprehensive Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program designed to launch careers in healthcare. Students gain essential skills to become certified nursing assistants, addressing critical healthcare workforce needs. The program provides hands-on training, preparing students for direct patient care roles in hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities.
Illinois CNA programs cannot operate as fully online programs because they require hands-on clinical training for students. Some educational programs offer combination learning formats which permit online classroom studies yet demand hands-on patient contact in healthcare facilities for clinical training. Online theory courses deliver instruction about nursing fundamentals together with patient care and infection control. Students need to conduct their clinical practice through patient interactions at healthcare facilities.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College |
|
|
| John Wood Community College |
|
|
| Heartland Community College |
|
|
| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 16 years old, complete a state-approved CNA training program (or approved equivalency such as nursing student, military or out-of-state CNA), and pass a criminal background check |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Illinois Department of Public Health’s Health Care Worker Registry – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program | Minimum of 120 hours total, 80 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised on-the-job training, completed within 120 days |
| Fees | No state processing or registry fee, initial competency exam fee around $75 (includes proctoring), retest fees vary by vendor, reciprocity application fee $25 |
| Certification Exam | Pass both the written/oral knowledge test and the manual skills evaluation covering required procedures |
| Registry Activation | Vendor submits passing results electronically, registry is updated within one business day of exam completion |
| Renewal Requirements | Maintain active status by working at least one 8-hour paid shift in nursing-related services under RN/LPN supervision every 24 months |
| Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs with active, unencumbered certification transfer via reciprocity application and $25 fee without retesting |
Certified Nursing Assistants working in Illinois earn between $30,000 and $40,000 each year based on their experience level along with their work location and healthcare setting. Nursing facilities and government healthcare facilities pay their CNA employees more than nursing homes and home healthcare agencies do. The job market for Certified Nursing Assistants in Illinois shows promising signs because the state faces a growing demand due to an aging population. The increasing need for long-term care services will create expanding employment opportunities for CNAs in hospitals and nursing facilities as well as home healthcare settings. The job market will maintain its steady growth especially in areas with prominent medical centers.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Illinois | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $35,920 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $17.27 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$42,500 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $35,920 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$30,100 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~10,400 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| John Wood Community College |
|
|
| Frontier Community College |
|
|
| City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College |
|
|
CNA certification from Illinois functions as an entry point for individuals to pursue Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) careers. CNAs who wish to advance their education pursue bridge programs which enable them to transfer into nursing degree programs. Illinois community colleges provide fast-track nursing programs for CNA graduates which enable students to get LPN or RN licenses. Health facilities support career development by offering educational funding that includes nursing program tuition reimbursement benefits to their employees. Healthcare professionals who want to advance their careers should obtain additional certifications and degrees since this path leads to better-paid roles with expanded healthcare responsibilities.
Additional Nursing Programs in Illinois
LEARN MORE
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
