Nursing Assistant Program Information

Workforce classes are designed for students who are looking to receive their CNA certification to go to work as a nursing assistant. Classes are offered on a monthly schedule throughout the year.

2025 Workforce Class Schedule

• December — Dec. 1 - Dec. 18

The Workforce class tuition is $775/student and the length of the class is three weeks. Due to the brevity of the course, the workforce class does not qualify for Pell Grant funding. It will, however, complete the requirement for the Northark LPN program. Those wishing to use Pell Grant should enroll in the semester long college course by contacting a Northark advisor at 870-391-3115 to schedule an appointment.

Students interested in the Monthly Workforce Class have four options for enrollment. Please read through the following choices carefully to determine which path is best for you.

Steps for a self pay student:

1. Complete the CNA application for admission
2. Students should then gather the required documents for the class:

TB skin test (Read and signed by a nurse, available at most walk-in clinics with CNA acceptance letter.)

Government issued photo ID (ex: driver’s license, passport)

Proof of 2 MMR vaccinations (Found on childhood vaccination record typically)

Proof of Flu vaccine (Required October through March classes only)

When all documentation is collected, please scan and email them to NATP1126.primaryinstructor@northark.edu

Facility Sponsored Student: This student has been hired by a healthcare entity such as a hospital or nursing home. The facility contracts to pay for the student’s tuition in exchange for the promise of the student working for the facility for a certain amount of time. This option is attractive for many students who want to get started on a new career with minimum out of pocket expense and the assurance of job awaiting them on completion. Students are responsible for contacting the sponsor and scheduling an appointment with them. Each sponsor decides whether sponsorship is available based upon facility needs.

Steps for a facility sponsored student: 

1. Interview with your facility of choice and be granted sponsorship.
2. Complete the CNA application for admission with the help of your facility representative.
3. With the help of your sponsoring facility, students should gather the required documents for the class:

TB skin test (often completed onsite at no charge by your sponsoring facility)

Government issued photo ID (ex: driver’s license, passport)

Proof of 2 MMR vaccinations (Found on childhood vaccination record typically)

Proof of Flu vaccine (Required October through March classes only and often given by the facility who is sponsoring you)

Sponsorship letter that states the facilities intention to hire you upon successful completion of the class.

1. Once you gather this information, the facility will scan and email your documents to NATP1126.primaryinstructor@northark.edu on your behalf. Please check with your facility for any other requirements specific to that location.

Examples of facilities that sponsor students in our area are highlighted in blue below. It is the student’s responsibility to find sponsorship and arrange to meet with the facility representative. The representative will then verify to Northark whether you have been chosen as a candidate for sponsorship.

Grant Sponsored Student: This student must meet the requirements of the grant that is providing payment for tuition. Requirements may be based on income levels, workforce needs or a variety of other factors. Example of grants that provide tuition for the CNA program can be found in green below. This option appeals to the student who may not want to be tied to a contract for working at a particular but does want to obtain their education and go to work as Certified Nursing Assistant upon completion of the class. The student will need to meet with the grant coordinator in advance of the class and fill out the application for their program first before applying for application to the CNA program. Each grant agency decides whether sponsorship is available based upon student needs and the individual grant’s resource capacity.

Steps for a Grant Sponsored Student:

1. Meet with the grant coordinator of the program you are interested in and complete steps to be awarded sponsorship.
2. Once you have been awarded grant sponsorship, complete the CNA application for admission

TB skin test (Read and signed by a nurse, available at most walk-in clinics with CNA acceptance letter.)

Government issued photo ID (ex: driver’s license, passport)

Proof of 2 MMR vaccinations (Found on childhood vaccination record typically)

Proof of Flu vaccine (Required October through March classes only)

When all documentation is collected, please scan and email them to NATP1126.primaryinstructor@northark.edu

Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Students:

The Workforce Challenge Scholarship was created in the 2017 legislative session and is funded by lottery revenue.  This path appeals to the student who has time to carefully plan their next steps toward a healthcare career as students must apply 30 days prior to CNA class enrollment.  The purpose of the scholarship is for workforce training in high demand areas of healthcare, information technology, and industry. The Northark CNA program is an approved program for this Scholarship. The following are the scholarship requirements:

• Be an Arkansas resident
• Must be a high school graduate or received high school equivalency
• Student cannot be a current recipient of the Academic Challenge Scholarship
• Be accepted for admission into an approved program as defined by ADHE

If the student meets these requirements, these are the steps for a Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Student:

1. Complete the CNA application for admission
2. Check back on the website above every week to see if you have been awarded the scholarship. When awarded, email Angie Moix at NATP1126.primaryinstructor@northark.edu to be placed in the class.
3. You will need to complete your Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship application. Apply for your scholarship here.
4. Gather your required documentation for the class and email it to Angie Moix:

TB skin test (Read and signed by a nurse, available at most walk-in clinics with CNA acceptance letter.)

Government issued photo ID (ex: driver’s license, passport)

Proof of 2 MMR vaccinations (Found on childhood vaccination record typically)

Proof of Flu vaccine (Required October through March classes only)

PLEASE NOTE!

All CNA Workforce students will need a pen, notebook, a pair of black scrubs and a watch with a second hand for classes. All other materials will be provided. Attendance is required by the state and is mandatory. Students will have 30 days to make up any missed time. CNA curriculum is approved by the Office of Long-Term Care. Students who successfully complete any of North Arkansas College CNA courses will have met the requirements to sit for the state Nursing Assistant certification exams. These exams have both a written and skills portion.