By
Lanee’ Blunt
Nursing Assistant training can be expensive and if you can’t afford the upfront tuition
there are some free options you may want to consider. Employment of certified nursing assistants is
expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average of
other occupations because there is a growing population of elderly people. According
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the job outlook for a CNA is excellent. Certified nursing assistants provide hands-on
bedside care and they help patients and residents with daily basic living
activities.
There are Requirements for Training
In
order for you to be eligible for training you must make sure that you meet the
following:
High
school diploma or GED
Proof
of your age, you must be at least 18 years old
Pass
a criminal background check
You
must have proof of immunization
You
will be required to be proficient in reading and writing
How to Get Free Tuition
State
Employment Agencies
Call
your state unemployment office and ask if they have a free CNA program. Some
states offer programs with Adult Continuing Education to help retrain unemployed
workers. These programs are usually free.
Financial Aid
Check
with your financial aid office of the community college you want to attend.
They will let you know what types of student grants or loans you may be
qualified for.
Scholarships
There
are scholarships for CNA/HHA for qualified students. If you apply for a
scholarship and meet their requirements then they will pay for your tuition and
other fees.
Displaced Homemakers’
In
some states there is a free program called Displaced Homemakers. It is for
single parents that are unemployed or under hardship. The program retrains
women for better opportunities and higher paying jobs.
Vocational Schools
Some
schools have free CNA training for students. These programs are found in
vocational and technical schools and some high schools. Unemployed or low
income students may be eligible for government assistance.
There
are opportunities available for you to become a CNA for free but you must do
your homework.
Some
nursing homes offer free CNA training. When you are offered training through a
nursing home you will be required to work for them for a period of time after
you graduate. Call local nursing homes and ask if they are offering a free CNA
training program.
There
are some hospitals that provide training for people that want to work for them.
Make calls to all of your local hospitals and inquire if they offer free CNA
training. After the training you will be required to take the state
certification exam, and work for that hospital. The advantage of getting free
CNA training this way is after you have taken the training and the exam you
will have a job. After you sign the contract you must work for that hospital.
How Long is the Program?
CNA training is fast paced. You can take your classes between 6 to 12 weeks. Some
classes take as long as a few weeks it depends on the state and the program. A
course will require 43 lecture hours, 29 lab hours and 42 hours of clinical
training to qualify for certification, but some states may vary.
Pass the Certification Test
Most
of the free options will cover the cost of the test. If you choose to get free
training at a nursing home they usually cover all of your expenses including
fees for the certification test. The test is in two parts a written and
clinical. The written portion consists of medical concepts and care-giving
questions. The clinical portion of the test consists of demonstrating medical
procedures while a state-approved examiner watches to see if the correct
nursing procedures are applied.
See
also
Reference:
Bureau
of Labor Statistics: Nursing Aides, Orderlies and Attendants
