CNA Program

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CNA Program

Requirements Before Starting

  • Documentation of (2) Two Step Tuberculin Skin Tests
  • Criminal Background Check**
  • Class Registration Forms Completed/Payment
  • Mail or Bring in Documentation to Iowa Western Community College’s Continuing Education Department

*(2) Two-Step Tuberculin Skin Tests must be completed within 12 months prior to the class start date (One week’s time is required between the first and second skin tests. Tests are performed by the healthcare provider of your choice

**Iowa Western will perform background and drug screening for anyone who wishes to register for the course

About the Program

  • 76 Hour Course is offered monthly in a variety of locations and taught by Registered Nurses
  • Provides knowledge and basic nursing skills needed to care for patients and residents in a variety of long term care facilities
  • Nurse Aide students will be awarded 3 Iowa Western credits upon successful completion of course
  • Course is a  prerequisite to the IWCC Nursing program course consists of 34 hours of classroom instruction, which includes professional soft skills, 15 hours of lab, and 30 hours of clinical
  • Onsite classes available in Council Bluffs, Atlantic, Clarinda, Harlan and Shenandoah*

Questions? Contact us at ce@iwcc.edu or (712) 325-3259.

CNA Testing

Written Test
Skills Test

E2E Assistance Education 2 Employment Tuition Assistance

Are you an Iowa resident? You may qualify for FREE tuition for one of the four programs listed below!
Education 2 Employment provides FREE tuition assistance to residents of Iowa to grow their career skills and further their education.

Available Courses

   04/08/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

CNA Council Bluffs: 4/8/26-4/23/26

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class:  April 8-April 16th from 8am-4:30pm in CB Campus, Looft Hall Room 109
Clinical: April 17-22nd from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA
Shadow Day:  April 23rd  Location: TBA

Call (712) 325-3255 or email: ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along wit TB Test documentation is required for registration.  

Start Date: 04/08/2026
End Date: 04/23/2026
Seats Available: 9
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 6:01 am

Certified Nursing Assistant HYBRID/ Evening Labs- Shenandoah, Iowa Center
April 13-May 15th, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of health care facilities.

Class: Mandated Orientation April 13th 12pm-8:30pm Shenandoah Center
Canvas Platform: Online open April 12th-May 8th 
Labs: April 16, 20(opt.), 23, 27(opt.), 30, May 8th,  4pm-8:15pm
Clinical: May 11-14, May 15th(opt.)   Times: TBA  Location:  TBA

Call (712)325 3255  or email:  ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration

Start Date: 04/13/2026
End Date: 05/15/2026
Seats Available: 8
Cost: $695
Location: Shenandoah
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 6:01 am
   05/01/2026 - Council Bluffs

CNA Council Bluffs: 5/1/25-5/18/25

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class: May 1st-May 11th from 8:00am-4:30m in CB Campus, Looft Hall 
Clinical:  May 12-May 15th from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA
Shadow Day: May 18th  Location:  TBA

Call (712) 325-3255 or email:  ce@iwcc.edu 
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration.

Start Date: 05/01/2026
End Date: 05/18/2026
Seats Available: 11
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 6:29 am
   05/26/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

CNA Council Bluffs- May 26- June 12, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class: May 26th-June 4th Mon-Thurs. from 8:00am-4:30m in CB Campus, Looft Hall 
Clinical: June 8th-June 11th  from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA
Shadow Day: June 12th  Location:  TBA

Call (712) 325-3255 or email:  ce@iwcc.edu 
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration.

Start Date: 05/26/2026
End Date: 06/12/2026
Seats Available: 6
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:13 am

Certified Nursing Assistant- Harlan
Class: May 29th-June 8th  8am-4:30pm  Mon. – Fri. Harlan Center
Clinical: June 9th-12th  7am-3:30pm  Tues.-Fri. Location: TBA

A completed and signed registration form is required for registration.
Phone:  (712) 325-3255  Email:  ce@iwcc.edu

More Information

Start Date: 05/29/2026
End Date: 06/12/2026
Seats Available: 0
Cost: $595
Location: Harlan
Sorry, Registration Full
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:13 am

CNA  Atlantic
June 15-July 2, 2026
Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of health care facilities.

Class: June 15-June 25 M-Thurs;  8am-4:30pm Campus will be closed on Friday June 19th.
Clinical: June 29th- July 2nd from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA

Call (712) 325-3255 or email:  ce@iwcc.edu 
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration.

Start Date: 06/15/2026
End Date: 07/02/2026
Seats Available: 12
Cost: $595
Location: Atlantic
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:13 am
   06/22/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

CNA Council Bluffs: June 22-July 9th 2026 * No class will be held July 2nd

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long term care facilities.

Class:  June 22- July 1st from 8am-4:30pm in CB Campus, Looft Hall Room 109
Clinical: July 6th-July 9th from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA

 

Call (712) 325-3255 or email: ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration. 

Start Date: 06/22/2026
End Date: 07/09/2026
Seats Available: 11
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:13 am
   07/13/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

CNA Council Bluffs: July 13-July 30th, 2026
Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.
Class:  July 13-July 23rd from 8am-4:30pm in CB Campus, Looft Hall Room 109
Clinical: July 27-July 30th from 7am-3:30pm Location: TBA
Call (712) 325-3255 or email: ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration.  

Start Date: 07/13/2026
End Date: 07/30/2026
Seats Available: 12
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:13 am

CNA Shenandoah EVENING Class August 7th- August 27th, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class:  August 7th-August 21st 4pm-8:45pm  Shenandoah Center
Clinical: August 24,25,26, & 27th  7am-3:30pm   Location: TBA  Please note, four clinical sessions will be held during daytime hours.

 

Call (712) 325-3255 or email: ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along wit TB Test documentation is required for registration.  

Start Date: 08/07/2026
End Date: 08/27/2026
Seats Available: 12
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:13 am
   08/18/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Certified Nursing Assistant Hybrid (75CNA-10)
Hybrid CNA in Council Bluffs: August 18-September 21, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class: Mandated Orientation August 18th 12pm-4:15pm in CB Campus, Looft Hall 
Canvas Platform: Online from August 18th-Septemeber 13th  
Labs: August 25, 27, September 1,3,8,10,& 15th 12pm-4:15pm  CB Campus Looft Hall Room 109
Clinical: September 16, 17, 18, & 21st 7am-3:30pm Location:  TBA

Call (712)325 3255  or email:  ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration.

Start Date: 08/18/2026
End Date: 09/21/2026
Seats Available: 12
Cost: $695
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:13 am
   09/24/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

CNA Council Bluffs: September 24, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class:  September 24th- October 2nd from 8am-4:30pm Mon.-Fri. in CB Campus, Looft Hall Room 109
Clinical: October 5th- October 8th from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA

Call (712) 325-3255 or email: ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along wit TB Test documentation is required for registration.  

Start Date: 09/24/2026
End Date: 10/08/2026
Seats Available: 12
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 8:35 am

Hybrid CNA in Shenandoah: October 5th – November 6th, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class: Mandated Orientation October 5th 8:30am 4:30pm
Canvas Platform: Online from October 5th- October 31st 
Labs: October 8, 12 (opt), 15, 19 (opt), 22, 29  9am-2:15pm
Clinical: November 2nd- November 5 , with November 6th a snow makeup day;  7am-3:30pm Location:  TBA

 

Call (712)325 3255  or email:  ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along with TB Test documentation is required for registration.

Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 11/06/2026
Seats Available: 11
Cost: $695
Location: Shenandoah
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 5:49 am
   11/02/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

CNA Council Bluffs: November 2nd, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class: November 2nd- November 10th  from 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri in CB Campus, Looft Hall Room 109
Clinical: November 11th-November 16th Mon.-Fri.  from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA

Call (712) 325-3255 or email: ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along wit TB Test documentation is required for registration.  

Start Date: 11/02/2026
End Date: 11/16/2026
Seats Available: 12
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 5:49 am
   12/01/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

CNA Council Bluffs: December 1st, 2026

Provides basic nursing skills to care for patients and residents in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Class:  December 1st- December 9th  from 8am-4:30pm Mon.-Fri. in CB Campus, Looft Hall Room 109
Clinical: December 10th-December 15th Mon.-Fri.  from 7am-3:30pm  Location: TBA

Call (712) 325-3255 or email: ce@iwcc.edu
A completed and signed registration form, along wit TB Test documentation is required for registration.  

Start Date: 12/01/2026
End Date: 12/15/2026
Seats Available: 12
Cost: $595
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 04/01/2026 5:49 am


Refunds: You may cancel your registration 5 business days prior to the start of the class date and receive a 100% refund excluding the $50 non-refundable processing fee. If contacting outside Iowa Western Community College’s Continuing Education Department business hours, leave a voicemail and or send the department an email. Iowa Western’s Continuing Education is not responsible for refunds if contact is not pursued via voicemail and or email. In compliance with the IWCC policy, refunds will only be produced in the form of a check.  A check will be issued within 14 business days after the refund is admitted to the customer. Refund will be sent to the customer’s address that is on file. Certain program restrictions may apply. Contact Continuing Education for more details at ce@iwcc.edu.

Cancellations: Iowa Western reserves the right to cancel any class where difficulties arise in staffing or scheduling or where a minimum enrollment is not achieved.  A full refund will be issued for all canceled classes.

Transfers/Withdrawals: Transfers may be subject to $25.00 transfer fee.  Non-attendance for a class does not constitute a withdrawal and refunds are not issued for non-attendance.  Transfers may be made up to two full business days (unless otherwise noted in the class information) prior to the start date of the class.  After that time, transfers will not be permitted and no refund will be issued.