College of Southern Nevada CNA Program

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) offers a comprehensive Certified Nursing Assistant program in Las Vegas, Nevada, designed to prepare students for an essential role in healthcare. This nursing assistant training program equips students with fundamental skills in patient care, safety protocols, and essential nursing procedures. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate looking to enter healthcare quickly or someone seeking a career change with meaningful impact, CSN’s CNA program provides the foundation you need to begin working as a certified nursing assistant. Upon successful completion, students receive a Skills Certificate and become eligible to apply for state certification by examination, opening doors to employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings throughout Nevada.

CNA Program Quick Facts

• Program Length: One semester (180 hours total)
• Cost of Program: Approximately $1,694.50 for Nevada residents (includes tuition, fees, and additional expenses)
• Accreditation: Approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing
• State Exam Pass Rate: Contact the program directly for current pass rate information
• CNA Program Schedule: Traditional in-person and online lecture options with required in-person lab and clinical components

CNA Training Structure

Classroom Learning

The CSN Nursing Assistant program includes approximately 45 hours of lecture covering essential topics for nursing assistants. Course content focuses on foundational nursing skills including:

• Safety protocols and procedures
• Patient comfort techniques
• Personal hygiene care
• Basic mental health concepts
• Patient protection and rights
• Proper observation and reporting procedures

Students can choose between in-person lecture classes or an online lecture option to accommodate different learning preferences.

Clinical Experience

Students complete approximately 45 hours of hands-on lab practice and 90 hours of supervised clinical experience. The clinical component takes place at local skilled nursing facilities where students apply theoretical knowledge in real healthcare settings under supervision. A typical semester includes one 3-hour lab session and one 7-hour clinical session per week, allowing students to develop and practice essential nursing assistant skills with actual patients.

Exam Preparation

The program prepares students for Nevada state certification exams through comprehensive classroom instruction and practical experience. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be awarded a Skills Certificate and become eligible to apply for state certification by examination. The certification process includes both a knowledge exam ($50) and a manual skills competency exam ($90) administered by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

To enroll in the College of Southern Nevada’s Nursing Assistant program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Demonstrate good moral character
• Be in good physical health
• Ability to read and write English at an 8th-grade level
• Complete ENG 100 or higher OR achieve a score of at least 237 on the Next Generation Accuplacer Reading Placement test at a CSN testing center

Prior to the fourth clinical class, students must also complete:

• Criminal background check
• Drug and alcohol screening
• Physical examination
• Required immunizations
• American Heart Association BLS for Providers CPR certification
• Proof of medical insurance

Students are not required to submit these documents prior to registration. Specific requirements, instructions, and forms will be provided at a mandatory Nursing Assistant course orientation before the semester begins.

CNA Class Schedule & Flexibility

The College of Southern Nevada offers flexible scheduling options for its Nursing Assistant program:

• Classes are conducted at multiple locations: West Charleston, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Mesquite campuses
• Lecture component is available both in-person and online
• A typical semester schedule includes:
  • One 3-hour lecture per week
  • One 3-hour lab session per week
  • One 7-hour clinical session per week
• Courses are offered during fall, spring, and summer semesters

Students should refer to the current semester schedule to verify specific dates, times, and locations. All lecture, lab, and clinical classes begin during the first week of the semester.

Tuition & Financial Aid Information

The approximate total cost of the CSN Nursing Assistant program is $1,694.50 for Nevada residents. This includes:

• Tuition (6 credits at $123.75 per credit): $742.50
• Student Union & Athletics/Recreation Fees: $66.00
• Technology Fee: $63.00
• Lab Fee: $20.00
• Books & Resources: $150.00
• Uniforms & Equipment: $100.00
• Physical Examination: $75.00
• BLS AHA CPR Certification: $60.00
• Tuberculosis Screening: $60.00
• Immunizations: $0-$600.00 (only if not up to date)
• Medical Insurance: $20-$190/month (if not presently insured)
• Complio (Background Check, Drug/Alcohol Screening, Health Record Warehousing): $86.00
• Nevada State Board of Nursing Application: $50.00
• Fingerprint Background Check: $60.00
• Manual Skills Competency Exam: $90.00
• Knowledge Exam: $50.00
• College Application Fee: $20.00 (one-time fee for new students)

Non-resident students enrolling in 7 or more credit hours will pay an additional fee of $136.25 per credit on top of the standard tuition and technology fees.

For information about financial aid options, please contact the College of Southern Nevada’s Financial Aid Office at (702) 651-4303.

How to Apply

To apply for the College of Southern Nevada’s Nursing Assistant program:

1. Submit an application to the College of Southern Nevada (includes a one-time $20 application fee for new students)
2. Complete the required reading assessment by either:
   • Providing proof of completion of ENG 100 or higher, OR
   • Achieving a score of at least 237 on the Next Generation Accuplacer Reading Placement test at a CSN testing center
3. Register for NURS 130 (Nursing Assistant Lecture), NURS 130L (Nursing Assistant Lab), and NURS 130C (Nursing Assistant Clinical)
4. Attend the mandatory Nursing Assistant course orientation (refer to the current semester class schedule for dates, locations, and times)
5. Complete all required health screenings and background checks prior to the fourth clinical class

Note that the Nursing Assistant program at CSN is an open-entry program, so no separate application for a Limited Entry program is required.

CNA Program Location & Contact Information

• Institution name: College of Southern Nevada
• Main Address: 6375 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146
• Phone Number: (702) 651-5885 (Health Programs Advisement Office)
• Program Contacts:
  • Jama De Yoe, Program Director: (702) 651-5652 or (702) 651-7553
  • Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.csn.edu/nursing-assistant-cc

The Nursing Assistant program is offered at multiple CSN locations:

• West Charleston Campus
• North Las Vegas Campus
• Henderson Campus
• Mesquite Campus

Additional Resources

The College of Southern Nevada provides several resources to help prospective and current CNA students:

• Nursing Assistant Advising Sheet: Complete outline of course requirements
• Nursing Assistant Career Guide: Detailed information about the career path
• Essential Functions of Nursing Students: Important capabilities needed for success
• Criminal Convictions Information: Details about how criminal history may affect nursing careers in Nevada
• Clinical Class Requirements: Information on health and documentation requirements
• Open Entry Program Checklist: Step-by-step guide for new students

Summary and Next Steps

The College of Southern Nevada’s CNA program in Las Vegas offers a comprehensive pathway to becoming a certified nursing assistant in just one semester. With flexible scheduling options, multiple campus locations, and both in-person and online lecture components, the program makes nursing assistant training accessible to a wide range of students.

Upon completion, you’ll be prepared to take the Nevada state certification exams and enter a healthcare field with promising employment opportunities. The median hourly wage for CNAs in Nevada is $20.29, with a range from $16.93 to $29.27, making this a stable career choice with room for growth.

Before you decide, make sure you’re choosing the right CNA program for your goals.
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