Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

The course will be a hybrid of online virtual classes with in-person skills and clinical training. Students will need a computer and secure internet connection as Zoom will be used for the online lecture. 

The CNA course is for people who want to be employed as a licensed nursing assistant in Rhode Island. This Rhode Island Department of Health-approved course trains students to provide personal healthcare assistance in home or healthcare settings. 

Must be 16 years of age to register for the course.

The Community College of Rhode Island, Division of Workforce Partnerships Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course is 13.5 weeks.  The course is comprised of a lecture, skill labs, and clinical.  The lecture and skill labs are intertwined through the first 12 weeks of the course.  The final 1.5 weeks are clinical.  The course is offered during the day and evening on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

January 2021 CNA Course Schedule

Cohorts are comprised of one day course and one evening course.

Cohort 1 - January 5, 2021 - April 6, 2021
Cohort 2 - January 19, 2021 - April 23, 2021
Cohort 3 - February 2, 2021 - May 8, 2021

Day Course: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

• Lectures: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm 

• Skill Labs: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Flanagan & Knight Campus)
• Clinicals: 7 consecutive business days, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm 


Evening Course: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 


• Lectures: 5:30 – 9:00 pm 

• Skill Labs: 5:00 – 9:00 pm 
(Flanagan & Knight Campus)
• Clinicals: 10 consecutive business days, 5:00 – 9:00 pm 


Note: Course dates & hours are subject to change.

Registration Information

1. Registration must be completed online and submitted with credit card payment in full. Students must create a new account in the system to register. Registration is by credit card ONLY.
2. There is no financial aid, grants, or payment plans.  Course fee is a student out-of-pocket cost.
3. Required online pre-test link provided in registration confirmation email. Pre-test measures academic reading level to determine potential program success and/or supports needed.
4. Program Cost: $960, includes $10 non-refundable registration fee, textbook, workbook, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, and RIDOH license as a nursing assistant application fee.
5. Student must provide safety goggles and 2-ply or 3-ply facemask during skill labs and clinicals.

Immunizations, BCI, and CPR Certification

• The CCRI CNA Immunization Form must be completed prior to course start date.  The titer must be within three years if your immunization shots were received 10 years ago or longer. 
• A Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) must be completed within 3 months of the CNA start date course.  The BCI must be original with raised seal from the RI Attorney General’s Office.   

• Each student must be CPR Health Care Provider level certified by the American Heart Association before program week 8. CCRI has a CPR program.  


Course Completion Requirements

• Students must attend a minimum of 75 hours classroom instruction, 24 hours of lab instruction, a 4-hour final skills lab, and a minimum 42 hours of clinical field experience. A total of 145 hours of attendance. 

• A cumulative average of 75% on tests 1-5 is required in order to enter the clinical portion of the program. Students who do not achieve a minimum average of 75% on tests 1-5 will be dismissed from the program. 

• Students need to pass the CCRI final exam with a grade of 75% or better. Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of 75% on the final exam will not successfully complete the program or be granted a certificate of completion.  

• Students must pass the clinical evaluation by demonstrating proficiency on the skills checklist.  


Attendance/Dismissal Policy

• A student will be dismissed from the program if they do not achieve a cumulative average of 75% on tests 1-5. 

• A student will be dismissed from the program if they do not achieve a grade of 75% or better on the final exam. 

• A student will be dismissed from the program if it is determined the student will not meet the minimum mandatory 75 hours of classroom instruction, 24 hours lab instruction, a 4-hour final skills lab and a minimum 42 hours of clinical field experience. A total of 145 hours of attendance. 


Note: COVID-19 accommodations will be considered for quarantine or positive COVID-19 test.

Refund Policy

• After attendance of one class, no refund will be granted, except with a documented medical reason.
• A refund will not be given under any circumstance, including failure to complete the class due to failing grades or attendance policy. No partial refunds of tuition are made under any circumstances. 

• To take the course again, students will need to re-register and pay for the course. 

COVID-19
The Community College of Rhode Island, Division of Workforce Partnerships Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course is subject to changes in order to meet Rhode Island Department of Health COVID-19 regulations. 


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