CNA Training Classes
Locating CNA training is more difficult than it used to be, but do not let that discourage you from becoming a CNA. If you have decided to pursue a career as a certified nursing assistant and cannot afford to pay for CNA classes, there are at least a few options for obtaining CNA training. Start by contacting your state’s Board of Nursing. Ask for a list of all approved CNA programs in the state. Long term care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals are most likely to offer CNA training classes. Call each of these places and ask if they offer cna certifcation. If the receptionist does not know of any CNA nursing assistant training programs in your area, ask to speak with the Human Resources department if it’s a hospital or ask to speak to the Director of Nursing if it’s a long term care facility or nursing home. Some of them will even pay you to complete the CNA classes if you agree to work for them for a certain length of time. Many facilities that offer CNA training have wait lists or conduct extensive interviews. The cost of CNA training is generally in the ballpark of $800 to $2000, so there is a lot of demand to get this training for free. You can make yourself more desirable to the facility by starting as a volunteer. This allows you to showcase your work ethic, compassion, and motivation, while networking to make some great contacts that may be willing to pull a few strings to get you into the program quicker.Currently CNA’s are in high demand in New york, California, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, north carolina, georgia, ohio and texas. So you may have a better shot of finding employers to pay for your training if your in an area that has a higher demand for CNA’s.
Call some of the CNA schools if there are no facilities that offer CNA training in your area. Most, if not all, of these cna programs will charge for their CNA nurse aide training. However, financial aid might be available to pay for the training and the cna license. Many community colleges offer CNA training and provide financial aid. If you qualify for scholarships, grant money, or a tuition waiver you may not need to have to be concerned with the cost of the tuition, or the cna certification (CNA license) fees. If you are working with a community college, contact the financial aid office to discuss what types of financial aid are available to you given your specific circumstances. If you are working with a vocational school, discuss your financial situation with the director and ask if there are any grants or scholarships available.
If these avenues do not yield favorable results for you, it’s time to get creative. Some states do not require formal training to get a cna license or cna certification . In these states you are simply required to pass both a written cna exam and a cna skills test for CNA certification. If you live in one of these states you can use a cna study guide and the help of family, friends, and the internet to learn the cna skills and knowledge required to take and pass your state board cna exam for free.
You may also want to look into HHA Training. Start your CNA career today and enjoy the luxury of a nice stable cna salary.
