WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Classes for the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification program at Missouri State University-West Plains will begin in January 2016, according to officials with the university’s Allied Health Department.
Certified Nurse Assistant (ALH 100) is scheduled for 4:30 to 9:20 p.m. Thursdays, and the Certified Nurse Assistant Clinical course (ALH 105) is set for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.
Students who complete the courses, as well as a two-part written and practicum examination, can be certified by the Missouri Health Care Association (MHCA), which serves as the certifying agency for the program, university officials said. The examination will be included in the coursework.
The program will prepare students for employment in long-term care facilities. There are currently 17 such facilities in and immediately surrounding the West Plains area, and all require, at a minimum, CNA certification of their employees for care of the residents. The CNA program is a cooperative effort between the university, South Central Career Center and Willow Health Care, Inc.
“All the skilled nursing facilities in our community have a tremendous need for certified nurse aides,” said Roy Pace, administrator of Brooke Haven Healthcare. “Those who receive this training will have a job when they graduate, and the community will have skilled people taking care of their loved ones. I am very excited that Missouri State University-West Plains is offering this to our community members, giving people an important step towards a wonderful career in nursing.”
To show their appreciation, Willow Health Care, Inc., which operates Brooke Haven, will pay the required drug testing and TB test fees for all students enrolled in the 2016 spring semester classes.
Regular registration for 2016 spring semester classes begins Nov. 16. There are no prerequisites for these courses. For more information about admission and registration procedures, call the Missouri State-West Plains admissions office 417-255-7955, or visit www.wp.missouristate.edu.