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Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Certificate

Certificates

Start Your Healthcare Career with MNU’s Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Program.
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Fast Facts

Meets on-site in Olathe
4 credit hours
Complete in 1 semester

Niche Ranks MNU the Top Nursing School in Kansas

Niche 2025 Badge

Rigorous courses of study, state-of-the-art facilities, subject matter experts in the classroom, academic partnerships with regional hospitals, hands-on learning, and excellent career preparation — current students and recent grads alike sang the praises of MNU’s School of Nursing in the 2025 Niche rankings of Best Colleges in America. MNU was ranked the top nursing school in Kansas and #2 in the KC metro area.

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Accelerate Your Career

At MidAmerica Nazarene University, our Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program equips you with the essential skills needed to provide compassionate, high-quality care in a variety of healthcare settings. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on lab and clinical experiences, you’ll be prepared to begin your career in just one semester.

Program Overview

In our CNA program, you will learn how to:

  • Provide safe and respectful bedside care
  • Measure and record vital signs, including pulse and blood pressure
  • Safely assist patients with daily hygiene and mobility
  • Prevent and control infection
  • Communicate effectively with patients and their families
  • Support residents in long-term and adult care facilities

 

After successfully completing the course, you’ll be eligible to take the Kansas CNA certification exam and take the first step toward a fulfilling career in healthcare.

Dates: 1/5/26 to 5/3/26

Days: Monday and Thursday

Time: 1:30pm to 4:00pm

Application Process

Submit an application

For more information contact the School of Nursing department at nursing@mnu.edu or call 913.971.3844.

APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM
APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM
Immunizations

Many of our affiliate rotation sites that students attend require proof of vaccination. Therefore, all students entering the CNA program will need to provide proof of immunization and/or immunity for the following:

  • Flu vaccine
    • Must be completed annually between August 1 and October 31
  • TB screening – One of the following is required:
    • 2 Step TB Skin Test (administered 1-3 weeks apart)
    • 2 consecutive annual skin tests (administered 10-12 months apart)
    • QuantiFERON Gold Blood test (Lab report required)
    • IGRA blood test (Lab report required)
    • Clear chest X-Ray (Lab report required)
Clinical Documentation
  • CPR for Healthcare Providers – Offered at MNU  
  • Background Check and Drug Screen – This will be completed on the first day of classes.
  • Social Security Card – Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) requires an SS card for state licensure.
  • Valid state identification (Driver’s license, State Issued Identification, Passport)
  • Must be a minimum of 18 years old or parental permission. 
What You Need to Know Before Enrolling

Our CNA program follows state guidelines, including required hours for both class and clinical work. Please make sure your schedule allows you to attend all sessions.

  • Class, lab, and clinical attendance is mandatory. Missing class may result in being dropped from the course.
  • Clinical experiences take place in person at local long-term care facilities and are built into the course.
  • Some clinical sites may require proof of additional vaccinations.
  • Physical ability is important. In labs and clinicals, you’ll need to:
    • Push, pull, lift, or support up to 50 lbs.
    • Move lighter objects up to 10 lbs. frequently
    • Stand, walk, kneel, or crouch as needed throughout your shift
What course materials do I need to purchase?

You will only need to purchase gray scrubs for the lab and clinical. Your textbook will be provided on the first day of class.

Where can I purchase scrubs?

Basic Gray scrubs can be purchased from any store. Any style can be purchased; the only requirement is that they are sold dark gray.

You will only need to purchase gray scrubs for the lab and clinical. Your textbook will be provided on the first day of class.

Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal​

President

EdD; Educational Administration (Higher Education/Public Relations), Ball State University
MSE; Music, Ball State University
BS; Music & Art Education, Ball State University

Dr. David Spittal has been the president of MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2012. Under his leadership, the university is striving to reach the next level of God-honoring excellence.

Prior to coming to MNU, Dr. Spittal served as president of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., from 1994 to 2011. During his 17-year tenure, the university experienced historic growth and expanded to five campuses and learning centers. His work led SWU to strengthen and build relationships with the local and regional community.

An influential member of the local community, Dr. Spittal serves on various councils and boards including the Council of Advisors of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trustees for the Kansas Independent College Association and Kansas Independent College Fund. He is a member of the USA/Canada Council of Education of the Church of the Nazarene.

He and his wife Donna have two grown sons and six grandchildren.

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Cleveland University-Kansas City Cooperative Program:

  • Accelerated pathway to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
  • Acceptance into Cleveland for all students who complete appropriate coursework at MNU with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
  • Specialized advisor for students of MNU who intends to pursue professional study at Cleveland.

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

  • Desire to pursue a career in Chiropractic Medicine
  • Major in Kinesiology

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

  • Complete an application to Cleveland 6 months in advance of desired entrance date.
  • Complete a minimum of 99 hours of an undergraduate degree at MNU.
  • Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
  • Complete all coursework as outlined in the agreement between MNU and Cleveland.

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

  • Preference points on application into a highly competitive program.
  • Mission alignment between Southwest Baptist University and MNU.

To qualify for the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program  students must:

  • Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.
  • Complete the GRE
  • Complete the PT application through PTCAS
  • Provide documentation of 40 hours observation in physical therapy.
  • Complete selected prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C” and a 3.25 prerequisite GPA.

Your adviser will work with you to ensure that you take the required prerequisite courses to qualify for this program.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

  • 3+2 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 2 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU and a bachelor’s degree from MNU, or
  • 3+3 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 3 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU, a bachelor’s degree from MNU, plus a master’s in engineering from WashU.
  • Combines the best of MNU with the strength of a top engineering school
  • Students participating in the 3+3 options receive a 50-60% tuition discount at WashU
  • GRE is not required for admission

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

  • Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or better in science and mathematics courses
  • Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

  • Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
  • Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of transferable college credit
  • Complete the following courses:
    • Chemistry: one semester of general chemistry with lab
    • Computer Programming: One course or certified proficiency in a high-level language
    • English Composition: One course or certified proficiency
    • Humanities and Social Sciences: At least 15 hours (see WashU website for specific prerequisites)
    • Mathematics: See WashU website for specific prerequisites
    • Physics: One year calculus-based physics with lab
  • See WashU website for department-specific prerequisites

To learn more about program offerings at MNU and degree specific prerequisites, visit engineering.wustl.edu/dualdegree

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Craig Masters at cmasters@mnu.edu

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