Certified Nurse Assistant - Accelerated Program

Department: Health Occupations

Dates: Check back in March for Summer 2021 dates!

• Section 46: 

  • Class: Mondays & Wednesdays
  • Clinical: Tuesdays & Thursdays

• Section 47: 
  • Class: Tuesdays & Thursdays
  • Clinical: Mondays & Wednesdays

Registration Deadline: 

Book: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Student Manual ("Nurse Assisting In Long Term Care"). Available in SCC Campus Bookstore or on the following website https://secure.touchnet.net/C20067_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=14&CATID=11

This program, approved by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), provides the instruction and on-the-job training required to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) in the state of Missouri. The program teaches basic nursing skills, resident rights, safety, communication techniques and infection control. CNA's are eligible for employment in nursing homes, hospitals, home care agencies and doctor’s offices.

There are three different components that make up the CNA Program at St. Charles Community College: classroom instruction, clinical internship and final exam (state exam). Students must complete all three components in order to be certified.

Individuals MUST be at least 18 years of age to qualify for this course.

For additional information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Web page.

Classroom Instruction

The classroom instruction provides the 75 hours of preparation required by DHSS. Students will attend class twice a week. ATTENDANCE IN ALL CLASSES IS MANDATORY. Because of the accelerated nature of this course, no absences will be permitted. Failure to attend class may result in failure of the program.

Clinical Internship

The clinical internship provides the 100 hours of on-the-job training required for CNA certification in the state of Missouri. Students will be placed at one of our clinical partner facilities to complete these hours and will be required to be at the clinical site twice a week. Students will be able to choose either a morning clinical shift (7 a.m.-3 p.m.) or an evening clinical shift (3-11 p.m.). ATTENDANCE ON ALL CLINICAL DAYS IS MANDATORY. Because of the accelerated nature of this course, no absences will be permitted. Failure to attend a clinical session may result in failure of the program.

Prior to beginning their clinical hours, students will be required to complete and pass a urine drug screening (done at a facility designated by SCC). Information and required paperwork will be provided to the student during the registration process. 

Final Exam

The Missouri CNA exam is administered to students who have successfully completed the CNA classroom instruction and clinical internship requirements through SCC. The exam consists of a 75-question multiple-choice written exam followed by a minimum nine-procedure practicum (clinical) exam. Students must score at least an 80% on the written exam in order to move on to the practicum portion. Students must then score 100% on the practicum to qualify for certification.

Students who fail to pass any part of the test on their first attempt will have the opportunity to re-test within 90 days of their first test. An additional $115 fee will be assessed for each re-test.

Upon completion of the exam, results will be submitted to DHSS and an approved certifying agency. Certificates will be issued by the certifying agency and students should receive them within 45 days of testing. An additional $20 fee for the certifying agency will be assessed on the day of the test. Information on this fee will be provided before the test.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have acceptable background screening from the Missouri Family Care Safety Registry
• Must be free from Tuberculosis

Registration Requirements

Registration is done in the Nursing & Allied Health Office (#1 Academy Place, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368). Summer office hours are from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Friday hours vary, please call to confirm.

Please bring the following items when you come in to register –

• Copy of Family Care Safety Registry Background Screening
• Copy of 2-Step TB Test
• Tuition

This is a non-credit, certificate course. Tuition and fees are due at time of registration and are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Salary Outlook

In the state of Missouri, nursing assistants earn a mean average of $25,360 per year. 
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, earnings increase significantly as a worker’s degree of education rises.

Related Majors, Degrees & Certificates

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• Clinical Supervisor
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• Emergency Medical Science A.A.S.
• Exercise Science A.S.
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• IV Therapy
• Level 1 Medication Aide - Biennial update
• Level 1 Medication Aide Train the Trainer Workshop
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• Nursing A.S.
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• Online Pharmacy Technician
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