Help Patients with Compassionate Care

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNAs) help patients with basic care during a hospital stay, such as turning and moving, bathing, grooming, feeding, and cleaning. They work under the supervision of a registered nurse to perform basic medical care, like checking vital signs and taking care of wounds.

CNAs and GNAs are needed in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Getting certified as a CNA or GNA is a great way to get started in healthcare. You can work as a CNA/GNA while you are pursuing a nursing degree or other healthcare training.

Stackable Credentials to further career:  Certified Medication Technician, Certified Medicine Aide, Certified Phlebotomy Technician (these all require additional training and education)

3
Months to Complete
$2,075
Course Fee
$$$
Funding Options Available

  • The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA/GNA) Program is a continuing education program that prepares students to apply for MD State certification as both a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA).
  • Students are required to attend 135 hours of training that includes classroom, lab and clinical sessions.
  • Classes are offered at both the Wye Mills campus and the Cambridge Center year-round. Day, evening and weekend schedules are offered.
  • Clinical hours are held off-campus at board of nursing approved nursing homes.

  • This program is for students who want to train for an entry level position in a hospital or healthcare facility. Many students choose to earn this certification while working towards an RN degree
  • Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) Certification/licensure after successful completion of nursing theory skills and clinical.  Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) prep class and testing are included with program
  • Career Opportunities include but are not limited to: Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities, Home Health Care, Schools, Health Departments and Hospice Centers

COURSE SEQUENCE

CAREER PLANNING FOR CNA/GNAs
This prerequisite course provides an overview of the CNA/GNA training and the applications for the drug testing and a criminal background check required for clinical site approval.

NURSING ASSISTANT THEORY
Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in just a few months. Learn basic patient care skills, your role as a member of the healthcare team, disease processes, infection control, and safety issues. Combined with the clinicals, this course meets all eligibility requirements for CNA certification in the state of Maryland and prepares you for the Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) test. The program requires study time outside of class and includes tests, both written and practical (hands-on) skills, which must be passed prior to starting the clinical course.

NURSING ASSISTANT CLINICAL
Students will participate in supervised clinical rotations with experienced, certified nursing faculty in local health care facilities and will interact with residents performing all the duties and responsibilities of a nursing assistant. Individual skills and execution are evaluated daily. Students must have successfully completed CEI 146 – Certified Nursing Assistant Theory.

NNAAP PREP
This test prep course is designed to prepare nursing assistant students to pass the NNAAP exam for Geriatric Nursing Assistant certification.

MORE!

Students who wish to add to their CNA/GNA credential can pursue the Certified Medicine Aide Program at Chesapeake. Must have at least one year of experience as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) and currently employed in a long-term healthcare facility recognized by the State of MD can earn the Certified Medicine Aide (CMA) designation.

This program is offered in both Wye Mills and Cambridge year-round. Day, evening, and weekend schedules are offered.

How to Enroll

Attend Orientation

In order to enroll in this program, students should first participate in a Health Career Orientation Session. View upcoming sessions below and click to register.

When selecting an orientation date, please choose the earliest one possible. It is important to start the process early as there are several steps to complete before being accepted into the program.

  • December 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

  • January 8, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

  • February 12, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Complete Placement Testing

Email Admissions to request a Placement Testing Slip for Accuplacer: Reading Comprehension. Come to the Chesapeake College Testing Center to take the test. A minimum score of 230 is required to enroll in this program. To see if you qualify for an exemption, and find out more about the Accuplacer test, visit the webpage below.

Accuplacer Placement Testing
Complete Program Application
Download, print and complete the Program Application below. Mail your completed application with all required documentation to:

Noncredit Healthcare Programs
Chesapeake College
P.O. Box 8
Wye Mills, MD 21679

or Fax to (410) 827-5817

CNA Program Application
Attend Career Planning Session

Once you’ve completed the above steps, use the link below to register for Career Planning for CNA/GNA.  This course includes the required drug testing and criminal background check required for clinical site approval.

Register Online
Complete Health Exam
Visit your doctor for a health examination and completion of a Health Examination Record.
Download & Print
Approval to Enroll

Once you’ve completed the above steps, email us for approval to enroll. We’ll send you the appropriate registration form to get started.

Students will register for all courses in the program at the same time.

Email for Approval
Pay & Prep
Payment for this course is due at the time of registration. Explore Ways to Pay below for additional information. Deferred tuition payment plans are available to students whose bills exceed $500. Before the semester begins, buy your textbooks and other needed supplies, check out the location of your courses, and get ready for your first day of class.

You have only secured a seat in the class when you have registered AND paid for the program.

Julia Alvis Murray is the evening CNA instructor at the Cambridge Center. She has worked with Chesapeake College students for more than seven years, specifically in the CNA program for the past year. She has a master’s degree in nursing leadership and a master’s certificate in nursing education. Her specialties are psychiatric nursing and forensic psychiatric nursing. She also has many years of experience with geriatric clients in both the nursing home setting and assisted living homes. A mother of two children, Julia and her husband have been married 14 years. Teaching is one of her greatest passions and she feels blessed to be able to help others along their healthcare career path.

Julia Alvis Murray

Allied Health Instructor

equipped for the FUTURE

WAYS TO PAY

Convenient payment options for noncredit students.

At Chesapeake College, we offer several payment options to help you manage your tuition and fees in a way that best suits your financial situation. Whether you’re paying upfront, setting up a payment plan, or utilizing employer sponsorship, we’ve got you covered.

Apply for Scholarships

This program qualifies for an assortment of institutional scholarships, Workforce Investment Board funding, and Maryland Promise Scholarships, among others. Before registering for your course, make sure you have allowed ample time to apply for scholarships at the link below. 

A nursing assistant/geriatric assistant certificate can help open the door to your next career. Scroll through the options here to explore CNA/GNA careers, including projected growth in our five-county service area, and average salary information.

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