BNAT Nursing Program

Successful completion of the BNAT program and passing the Illinois Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Competency Exam will allow students to work in hospitals, nursing homes, or other health care facilities. CNA assistants are in high demand.

The BNAT course provides 8 college credits from the Oakton Community College BNA 100 and BNA 105 courses and 2 high school science elective credits. The requirements of the BNAT course includes regular attendance, as well as the completion of 50 hours of clinical work after school.  The clinical hours are a requirement for the Illinois Certified Nursing Assistant licensure. The BNAT course has three basic components:

• Theory– lecture, student-centered activities, textbook readings, and mastering of course objectives.
• Lab– supervised practice of nursing skills and mastery of performance. Students must demonstrate technical competency, organizational skills, patient safety, standard precautions, and patient rights.
• Clinical– the clinical experience is planned to integrate concepts and skills as listed in modules. Students need to pass all assigned lab skills and be prepared to perform them on a patient under the supervision of an instructor in clinical. Instructors will sign the student Procedural Performance Checklist as the student exhibits competency of the skill.

The BNAT course has limited seating. Students must apply and be admitted into the BNAT program. All interested students must submit applications by the deadline. Below are the minimum requirements for admission into the course. Students accepted into the program require a medical physical with updated vaccinations. A recent COVID-19 booster is required as well as a flu shot.

• 17 years of age at the start of senior year
• Attendance-outstanding high school record
• Interest in health careers- NURSING
• Successful completion of Algebra course
• Documentation of Social Security #
• Course completion: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• Minimum Reading Level (STAR IRL 6th Grade Level)
• Required BNAT Essential Skills- physical, cognitive, emotional/psychological). Click HERE to view a list of essential skills.

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, laboratory sessions, and clinical practicum. Patient/resident care requirements demand that all students must be on time for clinical experience as well as classes.  If you have more than four excused or unexcused absences per semester, you may lose the opportunity to take the Illinois Department of Public Health Certification in Nursing Assistant Exam. Also, part of the requirements of this course is to complete 50 hours of clinical work after school, which will begin 2nd semester for 10 weeks.

The BNAT course will be held at Niles North High School. Niles West BNAT students will need to provide their own transportation to Niles North for early bird/period 1 (starts at 7:53 a.m. and ends at 8:52 a.m.). A bus will be available after first period to take students back to Niles West. Students who have their own car may drive to Niles North and travel to Niles West during period 2.