Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program (BNATP) Certificate
Dominican University delivers the Illinois Department of Public Health's Basic Nurse Assistant Training Model Program, preparing individuals for employment as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) through both classroom and clinical education. Successful completion and skills demonstration will allow participants to be eligible to sit for the Illinois Nurse Assistant/Aide Competency Exam (NACE) resulting in certification to be listed on the Illinois Department of Public Health Health Care Worker Registry or as CNA.
Program Overview:
- Dominican University’s basic nurse assistant training program certificate is a 16-week course that is offered fully in-person at the university’s Chicago Campus in the evening.
- Upon successful completion of the program, participants are eligible to take the Illinois Department of Public Health Nurse Assistant/Aide Competency Exam. After passing the exam, certification status appears on the Health Care Worker Registry.
- Upon completion of Dominican’s program, participants will use their CNA certificate as a stepping stone to a wide variety of careers in health care.
- Dominican partners with several local hospitals, allowing you extensive opportunities to build your skills while earning your clinical hours.
Excel in one of the world’s most rewarding professions
Now is a great time to enter or take steps to boost your career in the healthcare field. The demand for skilled professionals in Chicagoland continues to rise. Certified nurse assistants are the foundational person at the heart of the healthcare interdisciplinary team. After completing this certificate program, you’ll help fill the large need for CNAs and you’ll be ready to take part in sustainable, meaningful, and community-oriented work. Additionally, this stepping stone program can also provide you a starting point to transfer into our bachelor’s degree in nursing or other health-related majors at our River Forest campus.
Anything but your typical certificate program
Dominican’s basic nurse assistant training program comes with more than just upskilling opportunities—it also includes embedded connections to career pathways and extensive wraparound support. Here’s how you’ll take your career to the next level:
- Professional coaching: Access a dedicated, personal career mentor who works in the healthcare field as a career guide.
- State-of-the-art resources: Hone your skills in cutting-edge simulation labs while learning from industry-leading faculty, ensuring you’ll not only excel academically but also secure rewarding positions in the healthcare field upon graduation.
- Career search support: Polish your resume and LinkedIn profile, refine your job-search strategy, and practice interview skills with our career coaches.
- Dedicated support: Experience personalized faculty support from industry expert instructors who ensure you excel within the program—and beyond.
- Expanded network: Access a network of prospective employers and build connections before you complete your certificate.
What you’ll learn
As a learner in Dominican’s basic nurse assistant training program, you’ll acquire key skills that will prepare you to become an integral member of healthcare teams in a variety of settings. Our program’s student-centered curriculum enables you to learn through lectures, embedded assignments and hands-on practical exercises. You’ll also take part in meaningful reflections of your experiences and performance while learning how to be critically aware of health practices and social justice. Additionally, you’ll engage in end-of-the day discussion sessions with health practitioners, which are designed to develop your identity and relationship with the profession to foster a life-long desire to learn and practice community health.
Program prerequisites
Learners must meet the following requirements prior to registering for the course. Those requirements include a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and other health requirements as specified.
High-impact. Low cost.
Dominican’s basic certified nurse assistant certificate program is designed to be a low-cost, high-impact program. Participants can complete our program for just $1,300 in Dominican-associated costs.
Program cost breakdown
Dominican University associated costs:
- Tuition (seven-credit nursing assistant course) and school items — $1,300
Additional costs participants will incur (costs participants should expect to spend outside of full program cost)
- Course fees — approximately $110
- Administrative fees — approximately $170 total
- CNA Illinois State Exam fee: $85
- Fingerprinting criminal background check: $31.50
- Mandatory drug testing: $34
- Medical document manager: $19.49