UNM Los Alamos CNA Program

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at UNM Los Alamos in Los Alamos, New Mexico offers students a comprehensive pathway to begin a rewarding career in healthcare. This certificate program is designed for individuals seeking to enter the medical field quickly, whether you’re a recent high school graduate, career changer, or someone looking to make a meaningful difference in patient care. The nursing assistant training at UNM Los Alamos equips students with essential skills needed to provide quality care in various healthcare settings under the supervision of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Upon successful completion of the CNA program, students will be prepared to sit for the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Prometric) exam. This certification opens doors to employment opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare, while also providing a solid foundation for those who may wish to pursue further education in nursing or other healthcare disciplines.

CNA Program Quick Facts

• Program Length: 128 total clock hours (96 hours lecture/skills lab; 32 hours clinical)
• Cost of Program: $82 per credit hour for New Mexico residents; $227.50 per credit hour for non-residents (8 credit course)
• Accreditation: UNM Los Alamos is a branch campus of The University of New Mexico
• State Exam Pass Rate: Please contact the program directly for information about exam pass rates
• CNA Program Schedule: Please contact the program directly for current class schedule options

CNA Training Structure

Classroom Learning

The UNM Los Alamos Nursing Assistant program (CNA101) provides comprehensive training that prepares students to work under the supervision of professional healthcare providers. The classroom portion consists of 96 hours of lecture and skills lab instruction covering essential nursing assistant skills.

While specific topics aren’t provided online, the program is designed to prepare students for the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation exam, which suggests coverage of standard CNA curriculum topics.

Students receive a UNM Certificate upon successful completion of the course.

Clinical Experience

The clinical component of the CNA program consists of 32 hours of hands-on training in healthcare settings. This practical experience allows students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory settings under supervision.

During clinical rotations, students gain real-world experience working with patients in healthcare environments. This valuable hands-on training helps develop confidence and competence in providing patient care.

Exam Preparation

The UNM Los Alamos CNA program is specifically designed to prepare students for the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Prometric) exam. Successful completion of this examination is required for certification as a nursing assistant in New Mexico.

The program curriculum covers all necessary knowledge and skills needed to pass both the written and skills portions of the certification exam. For more specific information about exam preparation methods, please contact the program directly.

Admission Requirements

To enroll in the CNA program at UNM Los Alamos, students must meet the following requirements:

• English Proficiency: One of the following:
  • ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Sentence Skills ≥ 289, or
  • ACT English ≥ 17, or
  • SAT Verbal ≥ 480, or
  • Completion of ENGL1110X (Composition I: Stretch I) with a minimum grade of C
• Math Proficiency: One of the following:
  • MATH 012, or
  • ACCUPLACER Next Generation Arithmetic ≥ 244, or
  • ACT Math ≥ 14, or
  • SAT Math ≥ 440

Students must first be admitted to UNM Los Alamos. For additional admission requirements or documentation needed for clinical placements, please contact the program directly.

CNA Class Schedule & Flexibility

For the most current information about class schedules, please contact Ivette Jimenez, Admin Assistant to the Dean of Instruction, at 505.526.8358 or [email protected].

Information about whether the program offers full-time or part-time options, as well as any specific start dates throughout the academic year, is also not specified.

Tuition & Financial Aid Information

Tuition Rates

New Mexico Residents:

• $82.00 per credit hour
• For the 8-credit CNA course, tuition would be approximately $656

Non-residents:

• $227.50 per credit hour
• For the 8-credit CNA course, tuition would be approximately $1,820

Additional Fees:

• Student Activity Fee: $1.50 per credit hour
• Student Facility Fee: $3.00 per credit hour
• Technology Services Fee: $10.00

Senior Citizens (Age 65+): New Mexico residents age 65 or older may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate of $5 per credit hour if all of the following criteria are met:

• Student is admitted to UNM
• Student is a New Mexico resident
• Student is age 65 or older as of the 21st day of the semester
• Student registers on or after the first day of the semester
• Student is registered for 10 hours or less

Financial Aid Options

UNM Los Alamos offers various financial aid opportunities to help students fund their education:

Grants:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG)

Scholarships:

• Various scholarships available (See the UNM Los Alamos scholarships page for more information)

Work Study:

• Available for eligible students who complete a FAFSA

Loans:

• Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Parent PLUS Loans

Students interested in financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA school code for all UNM campuses is 002663.

How to Apply

To apply to the CNA program at UNM Los Alamos, follow these steps:

1. Apply for admission to UNM Los Alamos
   • Complete the online application through the UNM admissions portal
   • Submit any required documentation, including transcripts
2. Meet placement requirements
   • Take placement tests or submit qualifying ACT/SAT scores to meet English and math prerequisites
   • Or complete the prerequisite courses (ENGL1110X and/or MATH 012)
3. Register for the CNA101 course
   • Once admitted and prerequisites are met, register for the Nursing Assistant course
4. Complete any additional requirements
   • Submit any additional documentation required for clinical placements

For more specific information about application deadlines and the application process, contact Ivette Jimenez, Admin Assistant to the Dean of Instruction, at 505.526.8358 or [email protected].

CNA Program Location & Contact Information

• Institution name: University of New Mexico Los Alamos
• Address: 4000 University Drive, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544
• Phone Number: (505) 662-5919
• Fax: (505) 662-0344
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://losalamos.unm.edu/degrees-certificates/certificates/certified-nursing-assistant.html

Program Contact: Ivette Jimenez Admin Assistant to the Dean of Instruction 505.526.8358 [email protected]

Additional Resources

UNM Los Alamos provides several resources to help students navigate the CNA program:

• Academic Catalog: https://losalamos.unm.edu/catalog/index.html – Contains curriculum information and requirements for the CNA program
• Financial Aid Help Sheet: Available for download from the financial aid office
• Tuition and Fees Information: Detailed information about costs and payment options
• Scholarship Application: Available on the UNM Los Alamos financial aid website

Summary and Next Steps

UNM Los Alamos offers a comprehensive Certified Nursing Assistant program designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in healthcare. With 128 total hours of training, including both classroom instruction and clinical experience, you’ll develop the essential skills needed to provide quality patient care under the supervision of healthcare professionals. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to take the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation exam and begin your journey in the medical field.

Whether you’re looking to start a healthcare career quickly or planning to use this as a stepping stone toward further education in nursing, the CNA program at UNM Los Alamos provides a solid foundation. The skills and knowledge gained can open doors to employment in various healthcare settings and give you valuable experience in patient care.

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