What is the Riverside C.N.A. Apprenticeship?

Riverside is committed to helping our employees throughout their career journey and has helped Riverside employees complete their C.N.A. while maintaining their Riverside job.  You can EARN while you learn.

The Certified Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship this summer is an 8 week, competency-based program in which students attend classes at Kankakee Community College and complete hands-on clinical experiences 4, 8 hour days per week for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week (32 hours per week classroom/clinical time). Your registration fees, course fees, and books or related materials to attend the Kankakee Community College (KCC) C.N.A. program, if accepted into the program, are all paid and you are also paid for your 32 hours per week to attend the program by Riverside for your current position at your current hourly rate. You may continue to work in your current Riverside position while attending the program.  

What happens when I finish the program?

Upon successful completion of the program’s coursework and meeting State of Illinois requirements including passing the NATCEP exam, participants become a registered State of Illinois C.N.A.

If offered a C.N.A. job at Riverside Healthcare, participants are expected to accept the position at Riverside for a minimum of 18 months.

Who is Eligible?

Interested Riverside employees must meet all KCC admission requirements for the C.N.A. program to be eligible to participate in the apprenticeship program and must be in good standing as a Riverside employee according to Human Resources records and approved by their leader as a good candidate (leader signs application form- attached). Also, he/she must have worked at Riverside a minimum of 6 months before the program starts 6/5/2023.

When does the program start?

Orientation is 5/25 and classes/clinicals are 6/5 to 7/30.

What do CNAs do?

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are very important members of our Riverside healthcare team. Becoming a C.N.A. is often the first step in someone becoming a nurse.  C.N.A.s are responsible for helping the entire clinical team and patients too. The compassion and skill of a C.N.A. in giving patient care helps reduce stress for those who are sick and unable to care for themselves. We employ C.N.A.s in the hospital and in our senior life areas. Being a C.N.A. is hard work—and very rewarding.  It is a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a patient’s life.

Where do I send my application?

Return applications to Riverside’s ODL Department (email [email protected]).

Can I apply for the fall 2023 semester with this application?

Yes, please complete this application and note what semester you are interested in attending classes on the form. Return applications to Riverside’s ODL Department (email [email protected]).

You will be notified if you are selected for the summer 2023 semester along with your Director no later than 5/15/2023.