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 is an eight-week program designed to prepare students for entry-level CNA roles in Illinois. It offers flexible scheduling with five annual sessions, covering essential skills for diverse medical settings. This program serves as a prerequisite for advanced nursing education, providing a foundational step into healthcare careers without requiring entrance exams.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The BNA Fundamentals and Clinical, Basic Certificate at Malcolm X College is an IDPH-approved program focusing on patient care basics and hands-on training in classroom, lab, and clinical environments. It requires 8 credit hours and prepares students for the Illinois state CNA exam, with admissions prerequisites including English and Math eligibility, medical documentation, and official transcripts. No entrance exams are needed for this entry-level certificate.
Quincy, IL - Public 2-Year - jwcc.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
John Wood Community College's Basic Nursing Assistant Program offers a hybrid format blending online coursework with hands-on clinical practice. It prepares students for CNA certification through 7 credit hours covering patient care, anatomy, and vital signs, with clinical rotations in nursing homes and hospitals. The program requires background checks and drug screenings, and features affordable in-district tuition of $1,190. No entrance exams are needed for this certificate-level program, focusing on essential skills for healthcare careers.
Des Plaines, IL - Public 2-Year - oakton.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Oakton College's Basic Nurse Assistant Training (BNAT) is an eight-credit certificate program approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, designed to prepare students for roles in hospitals, nursing facilities, and home health settings. It includes hands-on clinical experiences and can be completed in one semester, with career placement support to connect graduates with multiple employers. No entrance exams are required for this program.
Normal, IL - Public 2-Year - heartland.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Heartland Community College's CNA Program offers an 8-credit curriculum with 90 hours of theory and lab work plus 50 clinical hours, leading to a 98% state exam pass rate. It prepares students for roles in nursing homes, hospitals, and private care, requiring a criminal background check and physical exam. No concentration is specified, and as a certificate program, it does not require entrance exams like ACT or SAT.
Fairfield, IL - Public 2-Year - iecc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Frontier Community College's Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program is a campus-based course that equips students with vital skills for CNA certification, addressing healthcare workforce demands. Through hands-on training, participants learn direct patient care techniques applicable in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical settings. As part of the IECC nursing network, the program offers accredited education and multiple campus options, fostering a clear pathway to professional nursing roles. It is military-friendly, enhancing accessibility for diverse student backgrounds.
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 |
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| John Wood Community College |
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| Heartland Community College |
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| 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 |
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| Frontier Community College |
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| City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College |
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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
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