Free CNA training
Free CNA Training
Locating free 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 CNA and cannot afford to pay for CNA classes, there are at least a few options in obtaining free 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 free CNA training classes. Call each of these places and ask if they offer CNA training online. If the receptionist does not know of any CNA training, ask to speak with the Human Resources departmentf if it's a hospital or 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 training classes if you agree to work for them for a certain length of time. Many facilities that offer free 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.
Call some of the CNA schools if there are no facilities that offer free CNA training in your area. Most, if not all, of these schools will charge for their CNA training. However, financial aid might be available to pay for those costs. 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. 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 become licensed as a CNA. In these states you are simply required to pass both a written exam and a skills test for CNA certification. If you live in one of these states you can use a study guide and the help of family, friends, and the internet to learn the skills and knowledge required to take and pass your state board exam for free.
Start your CNA career today and enjoy the luxury of a CNA salary.