The Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA) course prepares a person to take the certification exam
which is necessary to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the State of Illinois. The
program is designed to prepare qualified individuals to be safe, caring, and effective nursing
assistants, who work under the supervision of qualified health care professionals. CNA’s are
trained to perform at a minimum entry level in positions normally available in hospitals, nursing
homes, and home health agencies. This course presents basic nursing assistant principles as
well as providing opportunities for practice and demonstration of skills related to patient care.
The students time will be divided between classroom instruction, laboratory time, and supervised
experience in the nursing home and/or hospital settings.
Course subject descriptions are as follows:
BNA 100 Fundamental of Nursing Assistant 96 Clock Hours
Module I - Introduction to Health Care Systems 16 Clock Hours
This module will define long-term care centers and their personnel, OBRA regulations, and requirements,
delegated tasks, resident rights, professionalism, ethical behavior on a job, qualities
and traits of a successful nursing assistant, philosophy of patient care, and communicating with
the health care team.
Module II - The Patient 16 Clock Hours
This module will discuss basic structures and functions of tissues and cells, and the structures
and functions of each body system. Students will learn the importance of quality of life of the
older person. The aspects of older person’s life will be discussed; social relationships, aging,
death, retirement, housing issues, and changes in body systems. The importance of sexuality
throughout life and how aging affects sexuality in older persons will be discussed.
Module III - Protecting the Person 16 Clock Hours
The safety of older persons will be discussed in this module. Risk factors, common safety
measures, prevention of accidents and restraint use are also covered. The student will learn
about the different types of infection, signs and symptoms of infection, asepsis, disinfection and
sterilization, as well as blood borne pathogen standards. Good body mechanics, lifting, turning,
and moving persons comfortably will be discussed.
Module IV - Assisting with Activities of Daily Living 16 Clock Hours
In this module students will learn about the residents unit, bed making, hygiene, grooming, urinary
elimination, bowel elimination, nutrition, and fluids.
Module V - Patient Assessment 16 Clock Hours
In this module students will learn about the importance of exercise and activity of the older person,
as well as comfort, rest, and sleep. The needs of older persons with oxygen and assisting
those with limited capabilities will also be discussed. It is in this module that the student will
learn to measure vital signs, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respirations. Students will
also learn to assist with a physical examination, staying within the realm of a BNA.
Module VI - Assisting with Care Needs 16 Clock Hours
In this module students will learn about transferring, admitting, and discharging of persons.
Wound care, and heat and cold applications will be discussed. Common physical and mental
health problems will be introduced, as well as topics on dementia, confusion, and developmental
disabilities. Rehabilitation and restorative care, basic emergency care, and the dying person
are additional topics studied. Upon successful completion of 6 modules a uniform will be
provided by MTI.
BNA 200 Nursing Assistant Practicum
48 Clock Hours
Students will participate in a practicum setting with a minimum of 48 hours. Attendance is crucial.
Students will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to assigned facilities.
Students will apply knowledge taughtin Modules I – VI with hands-on caring for residents in
various long term care facilities. |
