Start your career in healthcare with Barton’s Adult Healthcare programs—designed to get you job-ready in weeks. Whether you're entering the field for the first time or refreshing your credentials, our programs offer high-quality instruction and practical training led by experienced professionals. Visit Barton's Adult Health Care Facebook page for up to date information on what is happening in the Adult Healthcare world including program updates, job listings, and opportunities for networking!
Available Courses:
- Nurse Aide : Learn essential patient care skills and prepare to work in hospitals, long-term care, or home health settings.
- Medication Aide : Expand your CNA credentials and gain the knowledge and certification to safely administer medications under supervision.
- Certified Medication Aide Update: A required refresher course for those looking to renew their CMA certification.
- Certified Nurse Aide Refresher: Designed for those who have been out of the field and want to renew their CNA credentials or prepare for re-entry into the workforce.
**** Certification received after course requirements completed and student has passed the KDADS State Certification test.
State-Approved Training:
All courses are approved by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and meet current healthcare industry standards. Students receive both classroom instruction and hands-on training to ensure they’re fully prepared for certification exams and real-world practice.
Barton Benefits
At Barton, our areas of study are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to thrive in today’s world. Whether you're just beginning your educational journey or advancing your career, we offer flexible and rigorous programs that support your goals.
Why Barton?
- Flexible Course Options: Choose from hybrid or face-to-face formats, including evening and accelerated classes designed to fit your schedule.
- Hands-On Training: Practice in Barton’s fully equipped Adult Healthcare lab using real-world tools like hospital beds and mechanical lifts.
- Instructor-Led Simulations: Gain confidence and skills through simulations using advanced manikins before entering clinical settings.
- Local Clinical Sites: Clinical experiences are available in Barton, Ellsworth, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties to serve students across the region.
- Pathway to Healthcare Careers: CNA and CMA courses are recognized entry points into the healthcare industry, offering valuable credentials to start your career.
- Industry Certification: Prepare for state certification exams approved by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).
- Small Class Sizes: With just 10 students per CNA course and 6 per CMA course, you’ll receive personalized attention and quality instruction.
- Financial Support: Scholarships are available specifically for CNA and CMA students through the Barton Foundation and generous donors.
Enroll + Financial Aid
Enrollment Information – Get Started Today!
Ready to begin your journey in healthcare? Follow these steps to enroll in Barton’s Adult Healthcare Programs:
- Apply for Admissions: Start by submitting your application to Barton Community College.
- Class Enrollment Resources:
- Adult Healthcare Class Enrollment Guide
- Enrolling in a CNA or CMA Course Flow Sheet
- Self Enrollment On-Campus Classes – Step-by-step assistance with online registration.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Multiple funding options are available to help cover the cost of your CNA or CMA training:
- Promise Act Scholarship – State-sponsored support for eligible students.
- Barton Bound Scholarship – Assistance for new students committing to Barton.
- Barton Foundation Scholarships – Privately funded awards for Adult Healthcare students.
- Bring Back the Trades Scholarship – Support for students pursuing trade-related programs.
- Excel in CTE Initiative (SB155) – Tuition-free courses for high school juniors and seniors.
- A-OK Participants – Support for adult learners pursuing education and employment.
- WIA Participants – Workforce Investment Act funding for eligible individuals.
- Third Party Payee – Employer or agency-sponsored payment arrangements.
Please Note: Payment is not dependent on student performance. Student record information is protected and only released if a FERPA form is completed.
For questions, contact our admissions or Adult Healthcare program staff for personalized assistance.
Upcoming Adult Healthcare Classes
Now enrolling for Fall 2025 Classes!
Class Schedule Information for Adult Healthcare Programs
Use the links below to view the current semester schedule for Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Certified Medication Aide (CMA), CNA Refresher, and CMA Update classes.
Please note:
- All classes are tentative and subject to state approval and sufficient student enrollment.
- Clinicals may be held outside of Barton County.
- Class schedules may change at the discretion of the instructor.
An active CNA certificate is a required prerequisite for admission to the Barton Nursing Program. To update your academic path, please complete a Change of Major Form.
Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- CNA clinicals are capped at 10 students per group.
- CMA clinicals are capped at 6 students per group.
Course offerings are based on student interest and instructor availability. Check back often for the most up-to-date schedules.
| Tuition/Fees (effective Fall 2025) | Barton County Resident | Out of County, In-State Resident |
| CNA | $755 | $825 |
| CMA | $685 | $755 |
| CMA Update | $137 | $151 |
| CNA Refresher | $137 | $151 |
Payment & Materials Information
Payment:
Tuition is due at the time of enrollment. Please note that federal financial aid does not apply to these courses. However, scholarship opportunities may be available—see the Financial Assistance section below for details.
Books:
Textbooks are required on the first day of class and are not included in tuition and fees. Books may be purchased through the Barton Bookstore either in person or online.
For more details, please refer to the Adult Healthcare Handbook.
Become a Cougar
Complete the Admissions checklist of requirements to become a Cougar today.
Barton classes are affordable and accessible, with sessions starting throughout the year.
You have many options to help you accomplish yours goals and we're here to help!
State Exam Pass Rates
Barton’s Adult Healthcare program prepares students for success on the state certification exams. Our students consistently perform above average, demonstrating the strength of our instruction and hands-on training.
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Pass Rates
- Spring 2024: 90.25%
- Summer 2024: 95.24%
- Fall 2024: 96.88%
Certified Medication Aide (CMA) Pass Rates
- Spring 2024: 100%
- Summer 2024: 100%
- Fall 2024: 75%
These outcomes reflect Barton’s continued commitment to quality education and student achievement in healthcare.
Degree Maps
Degree Maps
Certificates
Certified Nurse Aide
Certified Medication Aide
View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 and after).
Nurse Aide Course and Refresher Course
Nurse Aide Course and Refresher Course
The Nurse Aide course is a minimum of 90 contact hour course that prepares students for the state certification exam. It is approved and regulated by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). Nurse Aides provide direct care to patients of hospitals and residents of assisted living centers and long term care facilities. Students can be 15 years old to attend Nurse Aide classes but must be 16 years old to test for the CNA state exam.
After successful completion of this coursework (which is 45 hours minimum of verbal/book instruction, 20 hours minimum of in-person lab time and 25 hours minimum of in-person clinical time at a long term care facility) students will be eligible to sit for the following industry certification: Kansas CNA Examination.
Check your CNA/CMA certificate status online.
Nurse Aide – 5 Credit Hours
Barton’s Nurse Aide course prepares students for entry-level employment in the healthcare field and is a required prerequisite for Barton’s Nursing Program.
- Available in hybrid, face-to-face, and evening formats
- Offered in 4-week, 8-week, and 16-week options throughout the year
- Students may enroll at age 15, but must be 16 years old by the time of the state exam (KDADS requirement)
- Course includes a minimum of 90 contact hours
- Class size limited to 10 students per clinical group
Certified Nurse Aide Refresher
The CNA Refresher course is a 15 contact hour course that is approved by KDADS to reactivate a Kansas CNA certificate that has expired. The course consists of a brief review of the KDADS CNA curriculum guidelines as well as student demonstration, in the lab Environment of the 18 skills from the Kansas Nurse Aide Task Checklist.
CNA Refresher – 1 Credit Hour
This course is for those with an inactive CNA certificate. Completion and submission of required paperwork to KDADS will reactivate your CNA certification.
Medication Aide (CMA) Course and Update Course
Medication Aide (CMA) Course and Update Course
The Medication Aide course is a minimum of 75 contact hour course that prepares students for the state certification exam. CMAs administer medications to residents in assisted living centers, prisons, and long term care facilities. An active Kansas Certified Nurse Aide certification and a reading placement test are requirements for CMA training. Students must be 18 years old to attend the Medication Aide course.
After successful completion of this coursework (which includes in-person lab time and at least 25 hours of in-person clinical time at a long term care facility) students will be eligible to sit for the following industry certification: Kansas CMA Examination.
Medication Aide – 5 Credit Hours
The Medication Aide course trains CNAs to administer medications safely in long-term care settings and other healthcare environments.
- Students must be 18 years of age to enroll
- Course includes a minimum of 75 contact hours as required by KDADS
- Offered in hybrid, face-to-face, and evening formats
- Flexible start dates with multiple scheduling options
- Class size limited to 6 students per clinical group
Certified Medication Aide Update
The CMA Update course is a 15 contact hour course that is approved by KDADS to meet the requirement for Kansas CMA continuing education that must be completed every two years. This course is designed to provide the student with a review of basic knowledge and introduction of new medications and their safe administration.
CMA Update – 1 Credit Hour
This course provides the continuing education required every two years to maintain an active CMA certification, ensuring you stay compliant and up to date in your role.
Occupational Outlook Information
Occupational Outlook Information
Information about CNAs in Kansas**
- As of February 2025, the average hourly pay for a CNA in Kansas is $17.89.
- The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) course is eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship.
- CNAs work in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, substance abuse centers, developmental facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and neuro-medical treatment centers.
**taken from Kansas Department Of Labor Relations
The Kansas Department of Labor's Office of Labor Relations can be contacted at (785)296-5000 ext.1068 or KDOL.LaborRelations@ks.gov
Kansas specific information taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Concentration of jobs and location quotients in Nursing Assistants:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location Quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Kansas | 22,290 | 15.79 | 1.77 | $17.32 | $36,020 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Nursing Assistants:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly means wage | Annual mean wage |
| Kansas nonmetropolitan area | 7,420 | 19.09 | 2.15 | $16.22 | $33,750 |
For more information go the the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-1
Outside Testers
Outside Testers
Testing for CNA is the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. If you have already been in contact with KDADS, please complete the Testing form.
Please call the business office at (620) 786-7463 to pay the $25 proctoring fee and you will be placed on the next monthly testing date.
One week prior to the testing date, you should receive an email with a ticket for the test. If you do not receive this, please contact the Adult Healthcare department at (620) 792-9266.
Certified Nurse Aide’s transferring in from another state only have one chance to sit for the Kansas Nurse Aide test.
Discover Career Paths
Discover Career Paths
Visit the What Can I Do with My Major? webpage to find helpful resources on career paths, employers and more!
Admissions
You are only a few quick steps away from becoming a Barton Cougar! The Admissions process is quick, easy and free - we're here to help you through every step of the way. Start your future today!
Student Life
Barton is dedicated to creating a vibrant and engaging student experience! From clubs to student activities, we offer countless opportunities to make the most of your time as a Cougar.