All NTC campuses will be closed Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. To report an emergency occurring on campus or affecting the College, please contact the NTC Security Office at 715.803.1111 or 911.
Nursing Assistant (CNA)
3 Credit Technical DiplomaProgram Description
The Nursing Assistant program prepares students for employment as nursing assistants. The program also prepares students for other health-related programs. Students will be required to demonstrate the following skills under the supervision of a licensed nurse: communication, basic nursing assistant and personal care skills, attention to client’s rights, and care of clients with dementias. The program is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a nurse-aide training program. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the Wisconsin Nursing Assistant competency evaluation for inclusion on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry and employment in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, CBRF's, assisted living centers and homes for the developmentally disabled.
The Nursing Assistant course is required for admission to the NTC Nursing Associate Degree program and certification is needed if you desire to seek employment as a Medication Assistant or Student Nurse Intern while completing the Nursing Associate Degree program.
For financial aid purposes, the Nursing Assistant course is considered a preparatory course for pre-Nursing students and is eligible for student loans only. Students must be accepted as a pre-Nursing student, enrolled in at least six credits required by the Nursing program and have a completed FAFSA for the current academic year to qualify for a Federal Direct Student Loan.
This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record
Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record.
Found in These Career Fields:
Approximate Program Cost
$583
Tuition & Fees:
$533
Books & Supplies: $50
Books & Supplies: $50
Starting Salary
$20,592–$41,756
Average,
based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report
Financial Aid
May Be Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
Media from the Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program
A Closer Look
Detailed Program Information
Take a deeper dive into the details of this program. This section offers information to help you evaluate whether the program fits your goals, interests, and timeline. Use it as a tool to guide your decision-making process.
Availability
Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
Courses
The Nursing Assistant (CNA) Technical Diploma is a 3 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better.
View All Detailed Course Information
Cost of Attendance
2026–2027 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student may incur while attending NTC. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College takes into consideration the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student’s cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student’s financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies. The costs displayed below are estimates based on a 16-week semester or term enrollment. Expenses such as food and housing, personal or transportation may be less based on the weeks you are enrolled.
- Full Time: 12 or more credits
- 3/4 Time: 9 to 11 credits
- 1/2 Time: 6 to 8 credits
- Less Than 1/2 Time: 1 to 5 credits
| Expense Category | Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | Less Than 1/2 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees* | $2,620 | $1,965 | $1,310 | $655 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $732 | $549 | $366 | $183 |
| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $5,455 | $5,455 | $5,455 | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 | $1,542 | $0 |
| Transportation | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $43 | $43 | $43 | Not applicable |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $12,342 | $11,504 | $10,666 | $2,788 |
| Expense Category | Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | Less Than 1/2 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees* | $2,620 | $1,965 | $1,310 | $655 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $732 | $549 | $366 | $183 |
| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $1,612 | $1,612 | $1,612 | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 | $1,542 | $0 |
| Transportation | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $43 | $43 | $43 | Not applicable |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $8,499 | $7,661 | $6,823 | $2,788 |
* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2026–2027 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. Your tuition cost is based on your enrollment level. These will appear on your bill and account.
For more information regarding billed tuition and fees, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.
NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
-
NTC Financial Aid Office
- 715.803.1647
- financialaid@ntc.edu
Additional Information
Scholarship Opportunities
Additional funding may be available to assist with your training through external sources.
Admissions Process
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.
Before you apply, you should know
- This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record. Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record, however, a check may be required for placement at clinical sites or field experiences.
- As a state regulated Nurse Aide training program, students must attend all 120 hours of the course, as scheduled.
- Students must be at least 16 years old to take the Nursing Assistant course.
- Due to licensure requirements, out-of-state resident applications will no longer be accepted. Learn more about professional licensure for this program.
Fill out our application
The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.
Apply NowWhat’s Next?
We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.