Certified Nursing Assistant

Course | 3 Credits

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are valued members of healthcare teams, often focusing on the emotional needs of patients as well as performing their CNA duties.

Many CNAs serve in long-term care facilities. Southeast Tech’s program focuses on:

Safety
Infection Control
Communication and interpersonal skills
Basic nursing skills
Personal care
Aging process
CNA roles and responsibilities

Program Video

What’s Your Role as a Certified Nursing Assistant?

Are you looking for a field where you can help others? Through the CNA course at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, you will gain the skills needed to compassionately serve in a healthcare setting.

A CNA is trained in basic nursing skills and personal care. Duties may include measuring vital signs, cleaning and bathing patients, repositioning patients to aid comfort and prevent bed sores, listening to health concerns.

Why Choose Southeast Tech?

During your training as a Certified Nursing Assistant, you will study in STC’s state-of-art Healthcare Simulation Center. In addition, you will have lecture (40 hours) and hands-on lab (35 hours) instruction. Another key component is 16 hours of clinical experience, completed at long-term care facilities in and around Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This course is backed by these other career-boosters:

Certification as a Nurse’s Aid: Upon completion of the course, you may take the state nurse’s assistant certification exam. The testing encompasses knowledge and skills assessments.

First Steps to RN / LPN: Work experience as a CNA gives you experience many nursing schools value. The CNA course is also a prerequisite to Southeast Technical College's Invasive Cardiovascular and three Sonography programs.

Tailored Learning: This course has online, clinical and on-campus elements.

What Can You Do As a CNA?

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a regional hub for many healthcare centers, which draw rural residents to the area. Your career opportunities upon graduation include many of these hospitals, clinics and long-term care centers. Graduates find employment with the following healthcare employers:

Avera Health Systems
Good Samaritan Society
Sanford Health Sioux Falls
Veteran’s Administration Health Care System
Many more long-term care and home care agencies

Explore Classes

Southeast Tech’s Certified Nursing Assistant program meets the South Dakota Board of Nursing, South Dakota Healthcare Association, South Dakota Department of Health and federal regulations.

Required Courses:

Certified Nursing Assistant Course

See Additional Details in Catalog See Course Schedule

Admission Criteria

Students must be at least 16 years of age.

Application Process

Complete the Southeast Tech application.
Select "Non-Degree Seeking" when asked "What kind of student are you?"
Once the application is submitted, an Admissions Representative will be in contact.
Pay $75 registration fee.
Then, STC will complete the registration request and send you an official schedule.

Cost

Costs are calculated based on a charge of $255 per credit hour, plus applicable fees.

Total Costs Cost and Fee Breakdown

Additional Program Requirements

Background Check and Drug Screen

Completion of a background check and drug screen are required before program classes start.

Background Check Drug Screen

Immunizations

This program requires additional immunizations. Please refer to the Healthcare Programs Handbook for additional details.

Vaccination Policy

Many of the Southeast Technical College health programs require students to complete clinical or preceptor hours working at an approved medical facility (the “Facility”) under the direction of either a Southeast Technical College faculty member or licensed medical staff of the Facility. The Facilities are all independent institutions. Each Facility establishes the requirements for students to participate in either a clinical or a preceptor rotation at the Facility. To provide clinical/preceptor opportunities for students, Southeast Technical College must comply with the Facilities' requirements and provide proof of adherence to Facility requirements.

Facilities require students to obtain certain vaccinations, including but not limited to influenza and COVID-19, before entering the Facility and participating in a clinical or preceptor rotation. Therefore, Southeast Technical College must obtain and have on file proof of the required vaccinations before a student is assigned to attend a clinical or preceptor rotation.

The Facilities allow students a medical exemption from the various vaccination requirements to enter the Facility and participate in their clinical or preceptor rotation.

Students in need of an exemption from any vaccination(s) requirements due to a medical reason or because of a sincerely held religious belief must submit a completed Request for Accommodation form via the myTech website as soon as possible after vaccination deadlines have been announced. Accommodations will be granted where they do not cause undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others. Approval is not guaranteed.

Individuals with an approved exemption will be required to comply with other preventative requirements as specified in the exemption approval and as may be updated by later notification and/or posting of requirements.

Decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Uniforms

Scrubs are required for this program.

Technology Requirements

Southeast Technical College's Certified Nursing Assistant course is a Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) program. You may purchase a laptop on your own or from the Southeast Tech I.T. Support Center.

VIEW BYOL DETAILS