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Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Certificate

Certificates

Start Your Healthcare Career with MNU’s Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Program.
A group of four nursing students standing together in a nursing lab

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.

A nursing student smiling while gathering supplies

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: 05/25/26 to 6/19/26

Days: Monday thru Thursday

Time: 8:00am to 12:30pm daily

Clinical: Three – 12 hour days between 6/15/26 and 6/18/26

Application Process

Submit Your Information

Name(Required)
Address
Email(Required)

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

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.

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.