Free CNA Classes For Low Income

How Do I Get Free CNA Classes For Low Income – Acquiring free CNA classes for low-income individuals is an amazing way to kickstart your career in the healthcare sector. With the rising cost of tuition, CNA classes throughout the United States of America are becoming increasingly expensive and unaffordable for many low-income students. With the program cost ranging between $251 and $2575, it is no wonder why a lot of people ask ‘how much it costs to get CNA certified online’.

A few students are unable to enter the workforce and jumpstart their career as nursing professionals due to their financial barriers to acquire CNA training. Fortunately, there are organizations that provide free CNA classes. In this guide, we have explored a list of resources that offer free CNA training programs. So keep reading if you want to take a step forward toward becoming a certified nursing assistant.

What is a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a nursing professional who works in a healthcare setting and offers basic medical care to patients. They are also referred to as nurse aides or nurses assistants and work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical/ Vocational Nurse, (LPN/ LVN). They are trained to assist patients in their day-to-day tasks like bathing, dressing, and checking vital signs in patients. They are employed in the following workplaces.

• Hospitals
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Home health care services
• Assisted living and residential care facilities.

Depending on the CNA’s level of training and location, they can also dispense medicines to patients. The requirements may vary, so you need to research carefully in your state. Not every state recognizes the CNA title. Generally, candidates need to complete a state-approved CNA training program, pass their state application, and get a license or certification. They also need to complete on-the-job training. In certain states, candidates are required to go through a criminal background check and continuing education. In a few states, you need to earn additional credentials, for instance, a Certified Medication Aide Credential that will help you to dispense medicines to patients.

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How Do I Get Free CNA Classes For Low-Income Near Me?

There are plenty of avenues to get CNA training programs free for low-income families such as the following: 

• Community Colleges: There are many low-cost or free CNA training available to eligible candidates through financial aid programs, scholarships or grants.
• Online Resources: Local government agencies or online websites such as Udemy can guide you to acquire free CNA training to embark on your career. A lot of these resources may help you find a 4-week online CNA program for free.
• Hospitals and Nursing Homes: Local healthcare facilities like nursing homes and hospitals provide free training in exchange for work commitment.

• Vocational Schools: A few vocational schools offer grants, free programs, or scholarships to eligible candidates and help them acquire CNA training.
• Nonprofit Organizations: You can contact your local nonprofits that focus on imparting healthcare training so that you can obtain free CNA classes for low-income students.
• Workforce Development Programs:  Interested applicants can contact their local workforce department office for assistance programs that can subsidize their CNA training.

While free CNA courses for low-income students are a cost-effective way, there are a few eligibility criteria and prerequisites that you need to fulfill to get help from the aforementioned resources. These are as follows:

• Must meet the age requirement( 18 years or above).
• Must have a high school diploma/ any equivalent degree.
• Must go through a drug screening and background check.
• Must have English proficiency.

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Free Online CNA Courses With Certificates of Completion 

A lot of programs, organizations, and institutes help low-income students with free CNA courses online such as the following:

Procareer Academy– Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Program 

Procareer Academy provides an online Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program through which you can get live classes on weekday evenings as well as in-person clinical hours on the weekends in Whitter and Escondido, CA. The course is approved by the California Department of Public Health.

Their free CNA classes in California help nursing students cover emergency procedures, death, and dying, patient care skills, and patient rights. California grants will help learners to take the course completely free of cost. The academy offers free CNA classes with no diploma required. The length of the program extends up to six weeks.

Eligibility For Procareer Academy CNA Program

• Must agree to work as a CNA for an employer for at least a year after graduation to qualify for their CNA training programs for low-income families.
• Be at least 16 years of age with valid documents like a social security card, CA photo ID, BLS, or CPR card.
• Submit the completed Live scan form.
• Must have a clean criminal record.

Contact Details: To know more you can contact them by dialing 562-698-8301 or email them at info@pro career.org.

CAL ACE Nursing Academy- Online NATP (CNA Program)

CAL ACE Nursing Academy offers an online free CNA training program that prepares students for senior certification in the state of California. The course comprises 62 online theory hours as well as 102 in-person clinical skill hours in Santa Cruz and San Jose.

The nursing academy’s curriculum covers 18 modules, including vital signs, rehabilitative nursing, interpersonal skills, communication, patient or resident abuse, and so on. The program provides paid and free options. It will pay 100% of the tuition fee or provide reimbursement if you meet the criteria. The length of the program extends up to 7 weeks.

Eligibility For CAL ACE Nursing Academy CNA Program

• Must be at least 16 years.
• Be a resident of California.
• Must show BLS certification, physical exam, background check, and negative tuberculosis test result.

Contact Details: You can contact 408-256-0763 to know more details about the program or email them at [email protected].

Alison– Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Program Online Hybrid Course

Alison provides a variety of free online CNA classes for low-income students with certificates of completion. They are providing comprehensive training materials and necessary resources to help people gain the right skills and knowledge to embark on their CNA career. You may find introductory courses in patient care, caregiving, and other topics.

While the courses may not be formal, the programs can offer you incredible foundation knowledge. The course programs are self-paced.

Eligibility For Alison CNA Program

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent GED.
• Must fulfill the criminal background check
• You can download Free Learner Verifications or Learner Record to show that you have completed the course successfully. You can buy a diploma certificate after completion of the course.

Contact Details: For general and support queries please use [email protected].

Ballad Health– Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Program

Ballad Health offers free CNA classes online that meets federal and state requirements, focuses on providing bedside patient care, and special emphasis on geriatrics and long-term care. Even though classes take place online students can complete clinical experiences and in-person labs in Tennessee.

The program is free but students are required to purchase scrubs. The length of the program extends up to 60 hours of online classes and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Eligibility For Ballad Health CNA Program

• Must be at least 17 years old
• Must complete a background check
• Must meet vocational policies set by Ballad Health
• Must hold a high school diploma or GED certificate or be within six months of graduating high school.

Contact Details: Call at 1-833-8-BALLAD (833-822-5523).

Free Classroom CNA Courses For Low-Income Students

Besides free CNA classes online, you can also enroll in free classroom CNA training for low-income students such as the following:

Oneida Health– Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Training Program

Oneida Health has partnered with community centers to provide Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) education that encompasses hands-on training, structured 75-hour classroom training, and job placement.

The course prepares students to get employment in different healthcare settings like hospice care, skilled nursing facilities, psychiatric hospitals, board and care/ retirement facilities, and rehabilitation hospitals for the elderly. After the completion of the course, students need to take the state competency test and become a certified Nurse Assistants. The length of the program extends up to 75-hour classroom training and 5 full days of training per week.

Eligibility For Oneida Health CNA Program

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must complete Oneida health criminal background check prior to registration.
• Completion of Oneida health employee orientation.

Contact Details: To learn more details about how to qualify and enroll for the course you can contact Oneida Health at 315-363-600.

Job Corps– Certified Nurse Assistant Training 

You can obtain government-funded CNA classes for low-income students at 62 Job Corps centers throughout the United States of America. Under this program, you can earn a CNA license and Heartsaver® Bloodborne Pathogens and BLS for Healthcare Provider Credentials. The length of the program may vary.

Eligibility For Job Corps CNA Program

• Must have a high school diploma or an equivalent degree.
• Must fulfill additional state requirements regarding criminal background checks.
• Must complete introductory as well as career prep courses.
• Must meet math and reading requirements.
• Must earn a passing score on all tests.

Contact Details: Visit JobCorps.gov or call 1-800-733-JOBS (5627).

Goodwill Industries– Goodwill® CNA Training Program

Goodwill Industries provides free or low-cost certified CNA training programs via their workforce development programs. Interested applicants can apply through their local Goodwill organization.

The training generally includes classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience that prepares candidates for CNA certification exams. Besides they also help with supportive services like resume writing or job placement assistance. The length of the program extends up to 8-week free CNA classes.

Eligibility For Goodwill Industries CNA Program

• Must be unemployed or underemployed
• Must have a high school diploma or GED must pass a background check.
• Must be 18 years or older with a successful criminal background check
• Must be authorized to work in America
• Must have a valid driver’s license or SSI.
• Must be fluent in English,
• Must have a commitment or motivation to complete the class and take the state exam.

Contact: Contact Your local Goodwill by visiting the sitemap here.

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Low-Cost CNA Courses With Certificates of Completion 

Free CNA courses with certificates for low-income students might be difficult to get however there are plenty of low-cost options. In the below section of the guide, we have provided a few lists of low-cost CNA courses for low-income students that help with certificates.

American River College– Certified Nurse Assistant Certificate Program

American River College offers a CNA certificate course that extends for 3 ½ months to help nursing students gain basic skills to work as CNA. The curriculum encompasses 9 hours of skills, lab practice, 86 hours of classroom theory, and 100+ clinical hours. The college is situated in Sacramento CA. The length of the program extends up to three-and-a-half months. The cost of the program is $552 for in-state students.

Eligibility For American River College CNA Program

To participate in this CNA program you need to meet the regulatory requirements set by the California Department of Public Health for instance:

• Must pass a criminal background check
• Provide vaccination proof
• Must pass a medical terminology course with a C grade either during or before the program.

Contact Details: To know more about the course details and eligibility criteria you can dial 916.484.8011.

Lehman College– Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Online

Lehman College offers an online hybrid CNA program. The program is approved by the New York State Education Department to enable learners to take the state exam for senior certification. This program compasses 2 core series on physiological, anatomy, and fundamentals of patient care courses.

Under this program, learners have to complete 30 clinical rotation hours and 95 classroom hours. By becoming eligible for the CNA scholarship you can cover 50% of the tuition cost. The program is also qualified for Workforce1 Individual Training Grant Vouchers. The length of the program extends up to 125 hours. The cost of the CNA program may vary.

Eligibility For Lehman College CNA Program

• Applicants should hold a high school diploma or an equivalent degree
• They need to submit COVID-19 vaccination documents.
• They must complete medical forms as required and complete a CPR course before starting clinical rotations.

Contact Details: To know more about the course details and eligibility criteria you can contact the college at 718-960-8000.

Udemy– Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course

Udemy provides Home Health Aid, Nurse Aide, And Caregiver Certification to eligible candidates. You can learn the basics of home health care and how to take care of children, elderly, disabled, and mentally ill students under this program. A few other topics include nutrition and meal preparation for basic anatomy and CPR.

You can get lifetime access to one hour of video, 68 articles, and 19 downloadable resources. The 10-module program offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a certificate of completion. The length of the program is self-paced. The cost of the program is $89.99.

Eligibility For Udemy CNA Program

• There are no prerequisites to qualify for low-cost CNA training courses from Udemy.

Contact Details: Visit the Udemy Help Center or reach out to their support team at this website.

How To Enroll In Free CNA Classes For Low Income Students?

Applying for free CNA certification courses for low-income students is a pretty easy and straightforward process. Follow are the general steps that you need to follow:

• Aspiring certified nursing assistants must research and choose an accredited online or offline platform that helps them with free certified nursing assistant training.
• Visit the official website and explore the courses available. Also read the course details, eligibility, and other information provided before enrolling.
• Complete the enrollment process by providing your name, contact details, and other documents.
• Once enrolled, applicants can receive access to materials like readings, quizzes, video lectures, assignments, and so on.
• You need to complete the course requirements that require you to submit assignments for passing exams or quizzes and enroll in discussions if required.
• After completing your classroom or online CNA classes, you will get a certificate of completion. The certificate will be a valuable addition to your resume when you pursue employment opportunities.

Low-income students can also enroll in colleges that offer free tuition for low-income families to offset their education costs.

What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A CNA?

Choosing a CNA career comes with its own set of advantages. Firstly the job market for CNA is expected to grow rapidly as the healthcare industry expands thereby providing job security and stability to nursing professionals. The path to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is quite quick, unlike other healthcare professionals.

With plenty of free online CNA courses, individuals can get an accessible and convenient way to obtain the right skills and knowledge. Moreover becoming a CNA acts as a stepping stone towards career advancement in the healthcare sector. A lot of nursing students use their CNA experience and knowledge as a foundation for pursuing higher education and for swiftly transitioning into nursing or other better healthcare professionals.

Another way to reduce the financial burden of CNA training is to apply for scholarships for low income students.

CNA Salaries, Career Growth, and Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the outlook for a CNA career is quite bright. The CNA jobs are expected to grow 4% till 2032. In other words, there may be 210,000 openings every year over the next decade. Even though salaries may vary depending on your state of residence and the type of facility you are working in, the median salary in America is $39,610 as of 2023. Generally, CNA earns the most in Alaska, California, Washington, Oregon, and the District of Columbia, and their salary ranges between $46,000 and $40,000.

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Conclusion

To sum up, free CNA classes for low income students are an excellent resource for those who are dreaming of a career in health care without increasing their financial burden. CNA plays an important role in nursing homes and hospitals to provide patient care. This guide has provided a list of free CNA classes and courses to help you get started and receive top-notch training. Every program has its own curriculum to make sure participants acquire a solid foundation to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field. From the list of courses and programs that help with free CNA training, the eligibility criteria, and the application process, this guide has highlighted all the essential information so that you can turn your dream of becoming a certified nursing assistant into reality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Become A CNA In NYC For Free?

New York City Red Cross and Job Corps New York City offers access to the free CNA classes for low-income in NYC who fulfill the eligibility criteria of the programs.

Are there Red Cross Free Cna Training Near Me?

The American Red Cross has discontinued its Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) programs. However, you can access many Red Cross training opportunities, scholarships, and other training options on its official website to boost your career in the healthcare field.

What Is The Lowest Pay For A CNA?

According to Ziprecruiter.com salaries of CNA can be as high as $28.94 and as low as $10.68 per hour. Most of the entry-level CNA salary ranges between $16 and $15 to $22.31 in California.

How Long Does The CNA Course Take In The USA?

The amount of time it takes to become a CNA may depend on your state of residence. Generally, CNA or NAT classes may range between 4 and 12 weeks at minimum, but few programs can last up to six months. You need to check your state requirements to get specific information.

Are there Nursing Homes That Offer Free CNA Classes Near Me?

To find nursing homes that provide CNA classes near you, you can contact your local community colleges, vocational schools or search online with your location included. A lot of nursing homes have partnered with education institutions to provide free CNA training to students.