What certification can I earn with the Pre-Nursing Certificate?
Students who successfully complete a CNA training program and pass the certification exam will be eligible to work as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
Where are CNA’s employed?
The Certified Nurse Assistant is an essential member of any health care team. CNA’s work at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health care agencies, assisted-living facilities, medical clinics, doctor offices, urgent care centers, etc.
How will certification as a CNA prepare me to become a Registered Nurse?
For anyone looking at a career in nursing, being a CNA is a great way to really test themself on this goal. CNA's always work under the direction of a licensed nurse, and with many other members of the healthcare team, so they will better understand the requirements for many of the jobs in the healthcare field.
Many of the topics and skills covered in the CNA/Certificate courses are also basic topics and skills for Registered Nurses, so students will gain a foundational knowledge for basic nursing. These include: medical terminology, patient rights, infection control, documentation skills and patient care: vital signs, bathing, dressing, moving patients, feeding, oral care, etc.
MSU-West Plains CNA Program
MSU-West Plains offers an 8-week CNA program through the GoCAT Training Center. For more information about when the next CNA program will be offered, please contact Sheila Barton at SheilaFBarton@MissouriState.edu or 417-255-7784.
Pre-Nursing (Cert)
This certificate of achievement is designed for the student interested in applying to the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program. This certificate can be obtained prior to application to the nursing program or as a pathway for a student whose application was not previously accepted. While completion of the certificate does not guarantee acceptance into the nursing program, all coursework will apply to the degree. Students wishing to apply to the nursing program upon completion of the certificate must meet with a nursing department advisor to assure all application criteria to the nursing program have been met. this includes passing all nursing degree specific courses (signified by an asterisk*) with at least a 'C' grade or better. The courses required for the certificate are as follows:
Certificate in Pre-Nursing Curriculum
| Fall | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
Active CNA License OR |
3 3 |
| BMS 110* Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences | 4 |
| ENG 110* Writing I | 3 |
| MTH 103 Intermediate Algebra (or MTH 136 Pre-Calculus I: Algebra eligibility determined by placement test) |
3 |
| Fall Total: | 17 |
| Spring | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ALH 116 Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BMS 267* Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BMS 268* Human Physiology | 4 |
| PSY 121* Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| Spring Total: | 14 |
| Pre-Nursing (Cert) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Total Hours Required: (Depending on Mathematics placement) | 28-31 |
* Indicates nursing degree specific courses