Blinn College’s Hodde Center to offer certified nurse aide courses this fall

Students can complete classroom and clinical training and prepare for the state certification exam in just 16 weeks

July 15, 2026

The Blinn College District will offer a pair of certified nurse aide (CNA) courses beginning Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the A.W. Hodde Jr. Technical Education Center in Brenham.

Combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience, the 120-contact-hour program prepares students to pursue state certification and begin a career in healthcare in just 16 weeks.

The program begins with classroom instruction in basic caregiving skills, infection control, communication techniques, and safety procedures from 5:45-9:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Aug. 25 through Oct. 28, in Room 112 at the Hodde Center. Students will then complete clinical training from Oct. 30 through Dec. 4 under the supervision of a Blinn healthcare instructor.

The two-course sequence costs $1,000, and scholarships may be available.

Upon successfully completing both courses, students will be eligible to apply for and take the Texas nurse aide certification examinations. Students who pass the written and clinical skills examinations earn the Certified Nurse Aide designation and are eligible for placement on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.

Certified nurse aides frequently serve as principal caregivers in residential care facilities and often have more direct contact with residents than other staff members. Their responsibilities can include responding to calls for assistance; communicating with residents, families, and healthcare staff; serving meals; making beds; and maintaining residents’ rooms.

CNAs also may record temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure; provide mobility assistance; escort residents to meals or appointments; and assist with skin care and other routine needs. These responsibilities provide CNAs with valuable hands-on patient care experience that can serve as a foundation for continued education and advancement in the healthcare field.

Prospective students must be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Students also should plan for expenses beyond tuition, including immunizations, scrubs, a criminal background check, drug screening, a blood pressure cuff, and a stethoscope.

Before enrolling, students must review Blinn’s mandatory online healthcare information session, which outlines program expectations, costs, and requirements. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, contact Monica Mazoch at 979-830-4443 or monica.mazoch@blinn.edu, or Jessica Womack at 979-830-4548 or jessica.womack@blinn.edu.

The A.W. Hodde Jr. Technical Education Center is located at 2910 S. Blue Bell Road in Brenham.

About the Blinn College District

With innovative programs and award-winning co-enrollment partnerships, Blinn’s academic transfer rate ranks No. 1 among Texas community colleges. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.