Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program--General Information

7 credit hours
As a member of the healthcare team, the nursing assistant assists the nursing staff in caring for the incapacitated patient’s basic needs, and maintaining the patient’s overall environment.

Students must successfully demonstrate 21 manual patient care skills mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health, complete 72 hours of classroom lecture, 32 hours of lab practice, and 40 hours of clinical rotations at a medical facility.

Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the State of Illinois Nurse Aide Competency examination. After successfully passing this exam, students may seek employment at long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home-health agencies. The BNAT program is also a prerequisite for Moraine Valley’s nursing program. Anyone considering enrollment in the nursing program should make an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss the eligibility qualifications.

Nature of Work—Nursing assistants perform routine tasks in caring for patients. Under the direction of registered nurses, their duties include: aiding patients getting in and out of bed and walking, performing range-of-motion exercises with bed-ridden patients, bed bathing, shaving, oral hygiene, taking temperatures and other vital signs, feeding, changing bed linens, and maintaining the patient’s general surroundings.

Related Job Title—Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.)

Employment Outlook—Median hourly earnings for nursing assistants in May 2006 was $10.67. Middle 30% earned between $9.09-$12.80 an hour. The lowest 10% earned less
than $7.78 and the highest 10% earned more than $14.66.
Source: US Dept. of Labor

The BNAT program offers students exceptional training in patient care skill implementation, and provides a fundamental introduction to the nursing environment.

The demand for Certified Nursing Assistants is rapidly growing due to the steady increase in the aging population.

For job listings and placement assistance, contact the Job Placement Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, Room T903, at (708) 974-5737.

Related Career Programs
Nursing, Recreational Therapy, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Phlebotomy, Massage Therapy, Medical Office Assistant.

Accreditation—Moraine Valley’s Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program has been approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and is eligible for seven college credits.

Course Requirements

• Valid U.S. Social Security number

• College Reading Placement Exam

• Successful pass of Criminal Background Check*

• Health/Physical (with corresponding lab tests)

• CPR for Healthcare Providers Certification

• Health Insurance

• Uniform, Stethoscope, Wristwatch

• Textbook (workbook optional)

• MVCC Student Photo ID Badge

Certification—Each student must possess a valid social security number, complete (and pass) an Illinois Criminal Background Check, successfully implement the 21 patient care manual skills mandated by Illinois Department of Public Health, attend all lecture/lab/clinical sessions, attain a grade of “C” or better in the BNAT program, and pass the State of Illinois Nurse Aide Competency examination. After successful completion of the BNAT Program, the student applies to take the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Examination. When the student receives a notification letter from the Illinois Department of Public Health that he/she has successfully passed the exam, he/she is then placed on the State of Illinois Nurse Aide Registry. The Illinois Nurse Aide Competency examination is administered monthly at Moraine Valley Community College. The $50 cost to apply for the competency exam has been included in the BNAT student course fees.

*Criminal Background Qualification
The Illinois Department of Public Health requires that all students in this program must pass a Criminal Background Check.

A felony conviction will prohibit an individual from seeking employment in any healthcare facility in the State of Illinois.

Any inquiries regarding criminal convictions should be directed to the Illinois Department of Public Health at (217) 782-2913.