Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Workforce Skills Award
You don’t have to be a doctor or even a nurse to provide comfort and care to patients in a healthcare setting. One way to quickly enter the rewarding field of healthcare is to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).
The Lone Star College-Montgomery Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Workforce Skills Award trains students to provide care to residents of long-term care facilities, also known as nursing homes. In addition to learning how to provide basic care to residents – including feeding, grooming and moving patients – students also learn about resident’s rights, communication, safety, observation, and reporting.
State certification, overseen by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, is achieved when students successfully complete Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Service (NACES) testing. Students can directly enter the field upon certification or can use their training to continue on in healthcare education to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).
How long does it take to complete the program?
The Certified Nurse Aide Workforce Skills Award consists of one course comprising 8.8 Continuing Education Unit's (CEU's), and takes approximately six-eight weeks to complete.
What is the cost to complete the program?
Approximately $325, including required testing & insurance fees.
Is financial aid available?
To explore financial aid options visit the financial aid link on the LSC-Montgomery Web site, montgomery.lonestar.edu/20147/ or call: 936.273.7227.
What do Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) do?
CNA's provide basic patient care to residents in long-term care/nursing home facilities under the direction of a nursing staff. Duties can include feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, or moving patients, as well as changing linens. They can also work in home healthcare, assisted living settings, hospice care and private duty in addition to many other settings requiring some healthcare training.
How is the job market?
According to the America's Career InfoNet Occupation Report, there will be a 22 % increase in this field over the next seven years. And in Texas, CNA's average $9.43 an hour and can make more than $12.80 an hour.
Course Description
Nurse Aide (CNA) (CNURA 2100104)
Preparation for entry-level nursing assistants to achieve a level of knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to provide basic care to residents of long-term care facilities.
Topics include resident's rights, communication, safety, observation, reporting and assisting residents in maintaining basic comfort and safety. Emphasis is on the effective interaction with members of the health care team.
Some clinical time arranged outside of classroom hours. Students must also register for CINSL 81000XX, Insurance Fee course. GED or high school diploma recommended. Students wishing to enroll MUST have a current, valid photo identification (as defined by NACES) and social security card.
Students are required to have completed their Hepatitis B immunization series before attending clinical. Clinical facility may require proof of TB test. Fees for State CNA test, textbooks, supplies and uniform are not included in tuition.
A copy of each student's identification cards along with a signed money order made out to NACES for $76 (for certification test) will be collected from each student the first week of class. 8.8 CEUs. $294.
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Workforce Skills Award
Course Number Title CEUs Cost
CNURA 2100104 Nurse Aide (CNA) 8.8 $294
CTEST 8900400 CNA State Exam* $12*
CINSL 8100012 CNA Insurance Fee** $5-19
Total 8.8 $311-325
*Plus the $76 state fee
** Insurance fee is prorated during the year, $19, $12 or $5 (depending on the semester)