Kapi’olani Community College CNA Program

The Kapi’olani Community College Nurse Aide Program in Honolulu, Hawaii offers comprehensive certified nursing assistant training designed to prepare students for entry into the healthcare field. This 150-hour program combines classroom instruction, lab practice, and clinical experience to equip students with the essential skills needed to provide quality care to elderly, ill, and disabled individuals in long-term care, subacute, and home health settings. Upon successful completion, students earn a Certificate of Competence and become eligible to take the Prometric exam for certification as a nurse aide in Hawaii.

Whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey or looking to change careers, the CNA program at Kapi’olani Community College provides a solid foundation in personal care, communication skills, and patient rights while preparing you for immediate employment opportunities throughout Hawaii.

CNA Program Quick Facts

• Program Length: 150 hours total (8 weeks)
• Cost of Program: $786 for Hawaii residents; $2,070 for non-residents (plus additional fees)
• Accreditation: State-approved program through Kapi’olani Community College
• State Exam Pass Rate: Contact the program directly for information about pass rates
• CNA Program Schedule: Full-time daytime classes (Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Friday depending on cohort)

CNA Training Structure

Classroom Learning

The Kapi’olani CC Nurse Aide Program includes comprehensive classroom instruction covering essential knowledge and skills including:

• Basic nursing care fundamentals
• Patient rights and respect
• Communication techniques with patients and staff
• Personal care procedures
• Physical and emotional support techniques
• Ethical and legal principles in healthcare settings
• Professional conduct in the healthcare environment

Clinical Experience

Students gain valuable hands-on experience through:

• Clinical practicum in a healthcare facility (location TBA)
• Opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings
• Supervised patient care experience
• Clinical hours scheduled from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM

Exam Preparation

The program thoroughly prepares students for the Hawaii Nurse Aide Certification Exam by:

• Building proficiency in all required skills
• Providing comprehensive training aligned with state certification requirements
• Offering a complete curriculum that meets Prometric exam standards
• Preparing students to demonstrate nursing assistant skills in clinical settings

Admission Requirements

To enroll in the Kapi’olani CC Nurse Aide Program, applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Accuplacer WritePlacer Score of 4 or higher, or
• Completion of ENG 21 or higher (e.g., ENG 22, ENG 98, or ENG 100S/100), or
• U.S. high school diploma/transcript, or
• General Educational Development (GED) certificate

Additional requirements before class starts include:

• CPR certification (American Heart Association BLS Provider Level)
• Tuberculosis (TB) clearance
• Immunizations for Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B, Tdap, and Varicella
• Health insurance
• Criminal background check (completed via practicum facility)

CNA Class Schedule & Flexibility

Kapi’olani Community College offers two cohort options for their Nurse Aide Program:

Cohort 1: January 13, 2025 – March 12, 2025

• Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (8 weeks)
• Lecture/Lab Time: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Clinical Time: 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM
• Location: Lecture/Lab at Leahi 005; Clinical Practicum location to be announced

Cohort 2: March 11, 2025 – May 8, 2025

• Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (8 weeks)
• Lecture/Lab Time: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Clinical Time: 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM
• Location: Lecture/Lab at Leahi 005; Clinical Practicum location to be announced

Please note that course offerings are subject to change depending on instructor availability, and lecture/lab and clinical times may also change.

Tuition & Financial Aid Information

Tuition and Fees

• Tuition: $786 for Hawaii residents; $2,070 for non-residents
• Student Fees: $22
• Professional Fee: $25
• Transportation Fee: $40
• Late Registration Fee: $30 (if registering on or after January 7, 2025)

Additional Costs

• Books (purchased at Kapi’olani CC Bookstore): approximately $69
• Uniform, shoes, stethoscope, blood pressure kit, watch, pen, paper: approximately $125
• Kapi’olani CC uniform patch (purchased at the Kapi’olani CC Bookstore): $2.95
• Photo ID Badge (purchased via Kapi’olani CC Office of Student Activities): $5
• Liability Insurance (purchased via MyUH Portal): $15 (Non-refundable)

Contact the program directly for information about available financial aid options or payment plans.

How to Apply

To apply for the Kapi’olani CC Nurse Aide Program, follow these steps:

1. Complete the University of Hawaii (UH) System Application Form
   • Visit the Kapi’olani CC: Apply Now website
   • If you are not currently a student in the UH system, complete all steps to become a Kapi’olani CC student
   • For assistance with getting started at the College, contact [email protected]
2. Obtain and Complete the Nurse Aide Application/Checklist Form
   • Visit the Kapi’olani CC Long Term Care Nurse Aide Program website
   • Download and complete the form
3. Meet with Program Counselors
   • Visit the Nursing Information Sessions webpage to connect with Nursing Counselors
   • Learn more about all nursing pathways offered
4. Complete Program Requirements
   • Ensure you meet at least one of the eligibility requirements
   • Gather all required documentation
5. Attend Mandatory Orientation Session
   • Details will be provided on your Notification Letter (sent via email)

CNA Program Location & Contact Information

• Institution Name: Kapi’olani Community College
• Address: 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816
• Phone Number: (808) 734-9305
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/programs/health/nursing/long-term-care-nurse-aide/

Additional Resources

Kapi’olani Community College provides several resources for prospective nurse aide students:

• Nurse Aide Program Schedule (PDF)
• Nurse Aide Admissions/Checklist (PDF)
• Nurse Aide Student Handbook (PDF)
• Nursing Information Sessions
• Program Technical Standards
• Nurse Aide Certification Exam/Prometric Information

Summary and Next Steps

The Kapi’olani Community College Nurse Aide Program in Honolulu provides a comprehensive pathway to becoming a certified nursing assistant in Hawaii. Through this 8-week program, you’ll gain the essential skills, knowledge, and clinical experience needed to provide compassionate care to patients in various healthcare settings. With both January and March start dates available, you can choose the schedule that best fits your needs.

To begin your CNA journey at Kapi’olani CC, start by completing the UH System Application Form and the Nurse Aide Application/Checklist Form. Attend an information session to learn more about the program and prepare for the mandatory orientation. Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll earn a Certificate of Competence and be eligible to take the Prometric exam for certification as a nurse aide in Hawaii.

If you’re still exploring your options, consider researching other CNA programs in your area to find the one that best fits your schedule, budget, and career goals.