Professional Certification Program

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

The Union Centre Institute Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program prepares students to provide safe, compassionate patient care through online instruction, laboratory training, and supervised clinical experiences in a long-term care setting.

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Duration

6 Weeks (hybrid)

Next Start

September 2026

CNA
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Program Highlights

6 Weeks

Hybrid Schedule

76 clock hours over a focused 6-week track, evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Hands-On Lab Training

30 Lab Hours

Lab instruction in real patient care skills with experienced instructors.

Clinical Experience

Long-Term Care Setting

16 hours of supervised clinical training in an approved long-term care facility..

State Approved

Ohio Department of Health
An approved program that prepares you for the Ohio State Nurse Aide Test and registry.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Our structured program covers everything you need to become a confident, certified CNA

6 Weeks · 76 Clock Hours · Lecture, Lab & Clinical

Foundations of Patient Care

Weeks 1-2
  • Role of the nursing assistant & care team
  • Residents' rights, ethics & communication
  • Safety, body mechanics & fall prevention
  • Infection control & standard precautions
  • Medical terminology & abbreviations
  • Observation, documentation & reporting

Direct Care & Daily Living Skills

Weeks 3-4
  • Vital signs & measurements
  • Bathing, grooming & personal hygiene
  • Dressing, feeding & nutrition support
  • Toileting, elimination & catheter care
  • Transfers, positioning & ambulation
  • Range of motion & mobility assistance

Specialty Care, Clinical & State Exam

Weeks 5-6
  • Dementia, mental health & end-of-life care
  • Restorative & rehabilitation support
  • 16-hour supervised clinical experience
  • Skills competency check-off
  • Ohio State Nurse Aide Test prep
  • NATCEP completion & registry pathway

Hybrid Delivery · State Approved · Ohio Nurse Aide Registry

Schedule & Format

Hybrid Model
  • 30 hours online/didactic lecture
  • 30 hours laboratory instruction
  • 16 hours clinical experience
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:00 to 7:30 PM
  • 12 lecture sessions across 6 weeks
  • Long-term care clinical placement

Books & Admission

What You Need
  • Mosby's Textbook for Nursing Assistants, 11th Edition
  • Workbook & Competency Evaluation Review, 11th Edition
  • At least 16 years of age
  • Background screening per Ohio law
  • Clinical health requirements met
  • 75% minimum grade to complete

Tuition & State Exam

$1,300 Total
  • Total program tuition $1,300
  • Approved by the Ohio Department of Health
  • Nurse Aide Training & Competency Evaluation (NATCEP)
  • Ohio State Nurse Aide Test pathway
  • Added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry
  • Testing scheduled via D&SDT / Headmaster

Essential Skills You'll Learn

Vital Signs Infection Control Patient Transfers Feeding Assistance Personal Hygiene Documentation Body Mechanics Range of Motion Activities of Daily Living Residents' Rights Fall Prevention Patient Communication

Your Career. Your Future.

A CNA certification is more than a first job—it can be the foundation for continued education and career growth in healthcare. As you gain experience and pursue additional training, you may choose to advance into a variety of healthcare roles.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Start your healthcare career by providing compassionate, hands-on patient care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings

Patient Care Technician

Expand your clinical skills through additional education and training to work with a broader range of patient care responsibilities.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Many CNAs choose to continue their education through an approved practical nursing program to advance their clinical knowledge and responsibilities.

Registered Nurse or Other Healthcare Careers

Your CNA experience can serve as valuable preparation for future educational pathways such as nursing or other allied health professions.

Student Success Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the CNA program and how is it structured?

The program runs 6 weeks and covers 76 total clock hours in a hybrid format: 30 hours of online and didactic lecture, 30 hours of laboratory instruction, and 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility.

When do classes meet?

Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:30 PM across the 6 weeks. The 30 lecture hours are completed over 12 class sessions, alongside the laboratory and clinical training.

How much is tuition, and what about books?

Total program tuition is $1,300. The program requires two textbooks: Mosby's Textbook for Nursing Assistants, 11th Edition, and the companion Workbook and Competency Evaluation Review, 11th Edition.

What are the admission requirements?

To enroll, you must be at least 16 years of age, complete the enrollment paperwork, pass a background screening as required by Ohio law, and meet the clinical health requirements before your clinical placement.

What certification will I earn?

The program is approved by the Ohio Department of Health as a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). After completing it, you take the Ohio State Nurse Aide Test to be added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. Some programs pre-schedule in-facility test dates; students who need to schedule their own exam or a retest work with D&SDT/Headmaster for testing.

What are the attendance and grading requirements?

Attendance is mandatory, and all lecture, laboratory, and clinical hours must be completed, with any missed clinical hours made up per Ohio Department of Health requirements. A minimum grade of 75% is required to successfully complete the program.

Ready to Start Your CNA

Classes are filling fast. Secure your spot in our next CNA cohort and take the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career.

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