River Valley Community College LNA Program

River Valley Community College in Claremont, New Hampshire offers a comprehensive Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) program designed to launch your healthcare career. This fast-paced, hands-on training program provides the perfect starting point for those looking to enter the nursing field or healthcare sector. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, career changer, or someone who enjoys caring for others, the RVCC LNA program equips you with essential skills for direct patient care. Upon successful completion, students are prepared to sit for the state certification examination and submit their Board of Nursing LNA license application, opening doors to employment in various healthcare settings throughout New Hampshire.

CNA Program Quick Facts

• Program Length: 7 weeks (124 total hours)
• Cost of Program: $1,900 (tuition only)
• Accreditation: Full approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing
• CNA Program Schedule: Daytime classes with rotating schedules at Keene and Lebanon campuses
• Job Outlook: 10-25% growth rate (much faster than average)

CNA Training Structure

Classroom Learning

The RVCC Licensed Nursing Assistant program includes 40 hours of classroom instruction covering essential healthcare topics. Students learn critical skills including:

• Personal hygiene, bathing, grooming, and dressing
• Ambulation, movement, range of motion, turning, positioning, and transferring
• Nutrition, elimination, feeding, hydration, and toileting
• Environmental and personal safety
• Emotional support and therapeutic communication
• Infection control procedures
• Safety and body mechanics
• Legal and ethical issues in healthcare

The program takes a holistic approach to patient care, teaching students to recognize pathological, physical, psychological, social, cultural, and religious influences related to the life cycle and aging process.

Clinical Experience

Students complete 60 hours of supervised clinical training at partner healthcare facilities. During clinical rotations, students apply classroom learning in real healthcare environments under professional supervision. This hands-on experience allows students to practice direct patient care, develop communication skills, and learn proper safety and infection control procedures in actual healthcare settings.

Exam Preparation

The program includes 24 hours of lab-based skills training to prepare students for the state certification examination. Students practice and demonstrate nursing-related activities including personal care, mobility assistance, nutrition support, safety measures, and emergency procedures. The comprehensive training ensures students have both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to pass the state exam and successfully obtain their LNA license through the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the River Valley Community College LNA program, applicants must:

• Demonstrate English comprehension and Math proficiency by either:
  • Taking an assessment test on-site at RVCC and passing with a score of 70% or better
  • Submitting TEAS results showing 55% or better on English Language and Usage and 60% or better on Math
  • Having a Certificate or Degree from an Institution of Higher Education
  • Achieving a 2.0 GPA or better in a college-level Math class
• Complete required pre-enrollment processes:
  • Register with Castle Branch for background checks and drug screening ($167-$180)
  • Obtain an AHA Basic Life Support CPR Certificate
  • Complete a physical examination
  • Provide proof of required immunizations/vaccinations

There are two pathways to program admission: direct enrollment through RVCC or application to the paid training program at Dartmouth Health. Each pathway has its own application and admission process.

Please contact the program directly for the most up-to-date admission requirements.

CNA Class Schedule & Flexibility

River Valley Community College offers the LNA program at multiple campuses with flexible scheduling options:

• Campus Locations: Classes available at both Keene and Lebanon, NH campuses
• Schedule Format: Daytime classes with specific rotations for theory, skills, and clinical components
• Program Structure:
  • 40 hours of classroom instruction
  • 24 hours of lab-based skills training
  • 60 hours of clinical experience

Summer 2025 Schedule (Lebanon Campus):

• Start Date: June 10, 2025
• Theory Classes: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday-Friday (June 10-13), Monday-Wednesday (June 16-18), and Friday (June 20)
• Skills Training: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday-Thursday (July 7-10)
• Clinical Rotations: Saturdays and Sundays (July 12-13, July 26-27, August 2-3) at Sullivan County Nursing Home
• Review Session: Monday, August 4, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

Additional sessions are added throughout the year based on student demand and instructor availability. Contact the program directly if you don’t see a schedule that works for you.

Tuition & Financial Aid Information

Program Costs

• Tuition: $1,900
• Pre-Enrollment Expenses:
  • Castle Branch Fees: $167-$180
  • BPS CPR Certification Course: $70-100 (if needed)
  • Physical Exam: Variable cost (if needed)
  • Additional Immunizations/Vaccinations: Variable cost (if needed)

Additional Expenses

• Textbooks: $65-$75
  • Workbook: Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Care: Long-Term & Home Care Workbook, 4th ed, ISBN: 9781604251340
  • Textbook: Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Care: Long-Term Care and Home Care, 4th ed, ISBN: 13: 978-1604251333
• Uniform: Black scrubs: $35
• Exam and Licensing Fees:
  • Live Scan Fingerprints: $48.25
  • Skills and Written Test (Certification Exam): $200
  • NH Board of Nursing, Nursing Assistant License Fee: $35

Financial Assistance Options

River Valley Community College offers several financial aid opportunities for LNA students:

• WIOA Eligible: Applicants may qualify for up to $6,500 in tuition assistance through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program
• SNAP Employment & Training Funds: Available for eligible students
• LNA Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program: Scholarship opportunity for qualifying students
• Scholarships through Award Spring: All students can apply through the online portal using their EasyLogin credentials
• NH Charitable Foundation Scholarships: Additional funding opportunities available
• Dartmouth Health Paid Training Program: Students selected for this program complete their training at no cost and are offered employment upon completion

RVCC notes that approximately 85-89% of their students receive some form of financial aid. For more information about financial assistance options, contact the Financial Aid office directly at (603) 542-7744, option 3.

How to Apply

There are two distinct application pathways for the RVCC LNA program:

Direct Enrollment through RVCC:

1. Complete the online application form on the RVCC website
2. Demonstrate English comprehension and Math proficiency through assessment testing or qualifying exemptions
3. Register with Castle Branch for background checks, drug screening, and documentation ($167)
4. Obtain an AHA Basic Life Support CPR Certificate
5. Submit all required documentation, including immunization records and physical exam results
6. Pay tuition and fees

Dartmouth Health Paid Training Program:

1. Apply directly to Dartmouth Health’s paid training program
2. Proceed through their selection process
3. If selected, complete the program at no cost as a Dartmouth Health employee
4. Upon completion and licensure, begin working as a Licensed Nursing Assistant in one of their inpatient units

For more information about the application process, contact the Workforce Development Coordinator at (603) 542-7744 x 5347 or email [email protected].

CNA Program Location & Contact Information

• Institution name: River Valley Community College
• Main Campus Address: 1 College Place, Claremont, NH 03743
• Program Locations:
  • Keene Academic Center: 88 Winchester Street, Keene, NH 03431
  • Lebanon Academic Center: 15 Hanover Street, Lebanon, NH 03766
• Phone Number: (603) 542-7744
• Program Contact: Dan Osborn, Workforce Development Coordinator, (603) 542-7744 x 5347
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.rivervalley.edu/program/lna-licensed-nursing-assistant-2/

Additional Resources

• Printable Program Sheet – Comprehensive overview of the LNA program
• LNA Application for Admission – Online application form for direct enrollment
• Dartmouth Health Nurse Assistant Training Program – Information about the paid training pathway
• LNA Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program – Scholarship application
• SNAP Employment & Training Program – Financial assistance information

Summary and Next Steps

River Valley Community College’s Licensed Nursing Assistant program offers a fast-paced, comprehensive pathway into the healthcare field. In just seven weeks, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience needed to launch a rewarding career caring for others. With job growth projected at 10-25% and competitive annual salaries ranging from $27,000-$37,000, becoming an LNA is a smart career move with excellent prospects.

Whether you choose the direct enrollment option or apply to the Dartmouth Health paid training program, RVCC’s experienced instructors and state-approved curriculum will prepare you for success on the state certification examination. Upon completion, you’ll be qualified to work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and retirement communities throughout New Hampshire.

Before you decide, make sure you’re choosing the right CNA program for your goals.
Compare multiple schools, costs, and start dates near you.