Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Degree Type
2-credit Technical Diploma
Program Code
30-543-1
Time to Degree
75 hours
Start Date
Year-Round
How You'll Learn
On Campus
Daytime
Evening
Weekend
Learn fundamental nursing assistant skills through lectures, demonstrations and skills practice in this 75-hour program. After mastering the skills, complete training in a nursing home or hospital setting under the supervision of an instructor. A Certified Medication Assistant course is available for qualified CNAs.
Please note: To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
How To Apply
Ready to get started? Complete the steps listed below:
How to Start the CNA Program
Create an Account
Create a WCTC student account. You will receive your username and WCTC ID number within 2-3 days.
Before You Register
- Review the Nursing Assistant Technical Standards to determine if you need assistance from WCTC's Student Accessibility Office to support your success in this course.
- Complete the Nursing Assistant Application.
- Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email from NA@wctc.edu with next steps to complete health requirements and caregiver background check.
- After health requirements and caregiver background check are complete, you will receive a permit to register.
WCTC coordinates the placement of Nursing Assistant students at clinical sites while adhering to the clinical agencies' background check requirements. WCTC submits sutdent background checks to clinical agencies, and the agency has the right to refuse clinical placement based on review of the background check.
Register for the CNA Course
Find upcoming courses through our Course Search tool. Select your desired term, search "Nursing Assistant," then select "Find Courses." Explore offerings to find the course that works for your schedule. There are three ways to register:
1. Online (recommended):
- Log into MyWCTC or create an account.
- If you have not registered for a course in over a semester, your account may be disabled. Please contact Registration at 262.691.5578 to reactivate your account and register.
- Select "Register for Classes."
- From the Registration menu, select "Register for Classes."
- Select term and click "Continue."
- Enter the class CRNs on the "Enter CRNs" tab and click "Add to Summary."
- Click "Submit" to complete registration.
- OR -
2. Phone: Call 262.691.5578 to register.
- OR -
3. In Person: Stop by Ollie's Compass (Enrollment Center, C-019) to register in person. Bring your registration form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding a Course
How do I find out when courses are offered?
Find upcoming courses through our Course Search tool. Select your desired term, search "Nursing Assistant," then select "Find Courses." Once you find the list of courses, select "view schedule" to see when the course meets.
Health Requirements
Health requirements can be completed at any health facility, but we encourage using designated ProHealth Care Occupational Health sites. These facilities manage health requirements for all of WCTC's School of Health and are most familiar with our forms. If you go to another site, be sure they follow the timing of necessary tests and vaccinations as explained below.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Our clinical partners recommend the COVID-19 vaccine, declination or an approved medical or religious exemption. The booster is not required at this time.
Vaccine Waiver/Declination Information
Reasonable accommodations may be available for students with documented disabilities and/or sincerely held religious beliefs. Students seeking accommodation due to documented disability should contact the Student Accessibility Office. Students seeking accommodation due to a sincerely held religious belief should complete the Religious Exemption Request Form.
Students seeking to decline the COVID-19 vaccination may complete one of the following forms:
Flu Vaccine
A flu vaccine is required for all students scheduled to be in a clinical site between October 1 and March 31.
TB Test
Tuberculosis screening is completed initially and annually thereafter with a 2-step TB skin test or Quantiferon blood test. Please note that a 2-step TB skin test means you get two skin tests, 7 to 21 days apart. This will require four trips to your doctor: two trips are to receive the skin tests, and two trips are to have the skin tests read.
If you have a positive TB skin test or have received the BCG vaccination, you will then need to have a Quantiferon blood test drawn. The blood test must be drawn within one year of the end of the course. The Quantiferon blood test can be done in place of the 2-step TB test, but the test is generally more expensive.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Positive antibody titer (lab report required showing immunity) for all three components OR two vaccinations at least 28 days apart. Vaccinations can be a combined MMR vaccination; however, if individualized vaccinations are submitted, you must submit two vaccinations for Mumps, two vaccinations for Measles and two vaccinations for Rubella.
Registering and Courses
What if I need to miss a portion of the class?
All class time is required by the State of Wisconsin. You must plan to attend all course time.
Where do I find the course syllabus?
You will receive and review the course syllabus on your first day of class.
Program Details
Contact Us
Program Questions
262.691.5425
NA@wctc.edu
General Questions
We'd love to help! Connect with our Enrollment team by filling out our online form or by email at enroll@wctc.edu.
Potential Careers
If you are interested in getting an introduction to the nursing field and learning basic skills, the Nursing Assistant program may be right for you. Those working as Nursing Assistants have compassion for others, and possess strong time management, organizational and communication skills. Many who complete the Nursing Assistant program continue their studies to become a registered nurse.
- Nursing Assistant
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
High School Eligibility
This program is open to qualified high school applicants. Learn more >
Please note, students must be 16 years or older to enroll in this course.
Career Salaries
$35,200 – $40,300 annually
Salary range estimates based on wages for related occupations in Waukesha County as reported by Lightcast. Individual wages may vary based on experience, industry, location and specific job requirements. Find our graduates' entry wages in the most recent Graduate Success Report.
Financial Aid
This program is not eligible for financial aid.
Technical Standards
The students enrolled in the Nursing Assistant program should be able to meet the established technical standards identified below with or without reasonable accommodation. The technical standards for the Nursing Assistant program are representative of those found in the Nursing Assistant profession.
Review the Nursing Assistant Technical Standards.
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