Certified Nurse Aide
Available in Brenham and Bryan, Blinn's Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Program quickly provides students the thorough, hands-on training they need to begin their healthcare career and pass the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Exam, which certifies them for employment as a nurse aide in the State of Texas.
The 120-hour program teaches basic caregiving skills, infection control, communication techniques, and safety procedures. The program consists of a $700 lecture course and a $300 clinical course for a $1,000 total cost, though scholarships may be available. Upcoming classes can be found on the Course Schedule page.
Certified Nurse Aide students are eligible to apply for Duddlesten Foundation scholarships while funds remain available.
Program Highlights
Blinn’s CNA program requires 120 hours of participation, including clinical experience. Successful completion qualifies the student to test with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for certification.
CNAs are often employed in nursing care facilities, frequently serving as principal caregivers. They often have more contact with residents than other staff members and their responsibilities can include answering call lights; communicating with residents, families, and staff; serving meals; making beds; and tidying residents' rooms. CNAs also may be responsible for taking residents’ temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, or blood pressure. They help provide care to residents by providing mobility assistance, escorting them to the dining room or appointments, or providing assistance with skin care.
Program FAQ
The CNA Program provides an opportunity for hands-on care and the performance of routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. Students learn basic caregiving skills, infection control, communication techniques
Upon successful completion of all course elements, students will take the state certification exam (Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Exam). Nurse aides who pass the written and clinical skills exams will be titled a Certified Nurse Aide.
You will need to have a high school diploma or a GED and be at least 16 years of age. You should plan for a few additional expenses beyond tuition, including immunizations, scrubs, a criminal background check, drug screening, a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope.
To enroll in the Certified Nurse Aide Program, students must first participate in a mandatory healthcare information session.
Certified Nurse Aide Information SessionAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for CNAs is expected to
A CNA's responsibilities may include answering calls for help, delivering messages, serving meals, making beds, and tidying up patients' rooms. Aides may also be responsible for taking a patient’s temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, or blood pressure. They also help provide care to patients by helping them get into and out of bed and walk, escorting them to operating and examining rooms, or providing assistance with skin care.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to classes. The following links may help students coordinate their commute to Blinn College.
Parking and Transportation
www.blinn.edu/parking
Alternative Transportation
www.blinn.edu/parking/alternative.html
Handicap-Accessible Transportation
www.blinn.edu/disability/handicap-accessible-transportation.html