The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Saint Joseph's College prepares you to support patients with their daily activities and how to ensure they are comfortably cared for. We replicate real-life situations in our CNA lab, allowing our students to practice and perfect their learning and skills. Students will also be sent to our carefully selected partner facilities to perform 80 hours of clinical experience. This allows our students to put all of their newfound skills into play with real patients.

Upon completion of the course, students will be eligible to sit for their CNA certification exam.  The certification is through the Indiana Department of Health.

Each clinical partner agency sets its own requirements for employees and affiliated learners (i.e., SJC CNA students). At this time, all major hospital entities, community health clinics, private practices and long term care facilities with whom Saint Joseph's College has a Clinical Affiliation Agreement have mandated such individuals obtain a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine.

CNA students are to show proof of being fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus upon registering for classes. The vaccination is required to complete clinical hours with our partner agencies.

If you are patient, caring, have a strong desire to help others, and are looking for a fulfilling career in healthcare, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant could be the perfect path for you. 

Certified Nursing Assistants are a critical component of inpatient care.

Being a certified nursing assistant is a tough job. You need to be physically fit, compassionate, and ready to do some dirty work. However, when you know you’ve helped your patients, it also can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

In general, CNAs just do their best to take care of the patient’s needs. In some cases, this can even extend out to answering phone calls for the patient, cleaning up after them, and ensuring that they eat and drink regularly. Some even go the extra mile in order to provide extra care services and companionship, like making time to talk with them.

A Certified Nursing Assistant provides primary care to patients or residents. You'll monitor patients' general health, document any findings, and communicate those findings with other medical staff. However, a CNA’s role varies depending on the environment of work. In a hospital, a CNA may chart patient information, perform assessments, or transport patients to different parts of the hospital. In a nursing home, a CNA may serve breakfast to patients and assist those that cannot feed themselves. They often help their patients bathe and dress, and administer medications too.

Certified Nursing Assistants provide care to patients in many different settings such as retirement homes, hospitals, adult daycare, in-home care, and hospice centers.

Professional growth opportunities can include supervisory responsibilities, choice of facility, and continued education or certifications to expand duties. This position is also a starting point to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.