Many of those who are interested in becoming certified nursing assistants are not aware that there are free options available for undergoing training.  Nowadays when the cost of almost everything is on the rise, free education is an attractive proposition worth pursuing.

With the demand for nursing assistants increasing each year, you’ll often find many retirement homes and other healthcare centers advertising free onsite CNA training courses in exchange for services for a specified period.  But there is another attractive route to free CNA training as well.  For those who are already working at a medical facility and are interested in becoming certified nursing assistants, free CNA training is within easy reach.  Here’s how you could get free CNA training through your current employer.

A good work record
If you’re currently employed at a medical center in a non-medical position as, for example, an admissions clerk or even kitchen staff, this could give you a definite advantage over others in search of free CNA training.  But before you take the first step in this direction, check if your past work record matches the points listed below.

• You have completed at least 6 months in your present job.
• You have received positive feedback regarding your current position.
• You have always been proactive in carrying out your duties, showing an interest in improving your performance.
• You have proved to be a team oriented employee, interested in the overall good of the entire staff, and not just in getting the credit for yourself.
• You are always in time and willingly do any work assigned to you.
• You willingly fill in for others whenever possible.

If your approach to work and your service record is along these lines, you will find it easy to convince your employer that you are indeed a valuable staff member.

Approaching Your Employer
Though you’ll be approaching your employer for making an investment in you by way of free CNA training, you need not feel intimated by this or feel awkward thinking about it.  Look at it this way.  If you do really possess the qualities outlined above, your employer will realize you are a valuable member of the organization’s staff, and that with the requisite training you would prove to be even more valuable by providing a better quality of care to patients.

Employers are generally willing to invest in free training for their best employees.  They know that even as they’re fulfilling your need for training, you are going to offer them your services as a loyal, skilled, proactive staff member for years to come.  When you see things from this perspective, you will be able to approach your supervisor or employer confidently.

Once you have decided on taking the free route to CNA training, ask for a personal appointment.  During the one-on-one meeting, express your keen desire for working in the position of a CNA.  Explain your aptitude for the job and your interest in helping others, in working with patients and providing them with emotional support.  Your clear views and plans for your career will make it obvious that you have given serious thought to becoming a CNA and this is not just a whim.  Your employer will therefore be more likely to consider your request for free training seriously.

Your company will then either offer you an in-house training program or else will find a training course for you.  The training offered could be completely free, or your employer could settle for a “reimbursement program”, under which the cost of CNA training program paid by you upfront will be reimbursed later after completing the CNA training.

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The National Association for Home Care and Hospice also provides voluntary certification. This is mostly for states that need nursing aides to have a license.  Some high schools also provide free training for CNA certification test.

American Red Cross trains and tests CNAs but it is not free.  However, it is relatively less expensive in comparison to most paid CNA training programs.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) along with Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education is offering to cover cost of training of approximately 1000 CNA students for the year 2010.  All the money to fund this program has been collected form nursing homes that have defaulted by providing sub standard care.  CNAs working with long term  patients in a  nursing home and skilled facilities are eligible for these CNA training classes.

There are close to 66,000 CNAs who are certified and registered in the state of Oklahoma.  These 66,000 are eligible for applying  for free training as CNAs.  Since in 2010, only 1,000 students are going to be funded  the competition is very high.  If accepted, the students are given instructions on immunization.  Also, a criminal background check as well as a drug screening test is done as an eligibility criteria to undergo the CNA training classes.

The CNA training is for 30 hours.  It has 11 modules each of which is 3 hrs long. This  five day training focuses on teamwork, safety, nutrition, aging, dementia care, illness, importance of family, restorative care, dying and spirituality.  For CNA certification the student needs to pass after taking the state exam.

Another choice would be free CNA classes that are available online.  But these only cover certain topics and may not have everything that is necessary for passing the exam.  So be sure whether the site you refer to is showing topics to pass CNA exam or just general information.

The projected rate of job growth for nursing aides and assistants is 28% between 2006 & 2016. But although the job growth is tremendous, opportunities for advancing may be less as compared to an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse).  Hence it is recommended that CNAs continue their studies and education to certification as an LPN or RN (registered nurse).  Online LPN classes are also available.

We hope this answers most of your questions about free CNA training classses. You may also read another post  on Free CNA Training for more details.

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If you are interested in becoming Certified Nursing Assistant, but cannot invest thousands of dollars, then you can consider undergoing Free CNA Training! Yes you read it right; there are Free CNA Training programs available which can help you to become a professional Certified Nursing Assistant without spending a single penny.

Various healthcare facilities like hospitals as well as some of the vocational training organizations often arrange Free CNA Training classes.  Apart from this, you can also opt for online CNA training; however, to become a Certified Nurse you need to pass a state exam which is not covered in  online CNA training.

There is bit difference between CNA training courses and classes. CNA training classes gives practical knowledge of work of a nursing aide which is very essential, whereas CNA training courses mostly cover theoretical knowledge.

You can start searching for nursing homes and hospitals in your area which conduct free CNA training classes in exchange of you working for them. The easiest way to do this is scan your phone directory and look up for hospitals and health care centers and give them a call to know if they conduct any free CNA training programs. Various hospitals have a deal with local colleges so they tend to offer free training program to college students.

Second option is to search for local Regional Occupation Program (ROP) in your area. In case if CNA Training is not free then it will surely be offered for low cost of about hundred dollars. One low cost option for getting CNA certification is the Red Cross CNA Training

Apart from all these above mentioned options, HHA /CNA Scholarship Program is also available which sponsor CNA and HHA training for eligible candidates who intend to become Certified Nurse Assistants or Home Health Aides for serving in healthcare industry.

Other options for Free CNA training

The US Armed Services also offer various training programs to become Certified Nursing Assistants. The Air Force Aid Society’s (AFAS) Spouse Employment Program in association with Spectrum Medical Services recently approved to offer some facilities which include CNA Training Program. Through this program, the AFAS will sponsor for 10 active-duty military members’ spouses to become Certified Nursing Assistants. If you are a spouse of an active-duty military member and are really interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant just call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at the AFB and get yourself enrolled.

If you are already a CNA and are working in a healthcare facility for some time, you should enquire if your employer may also be willing to sponsor your Registered Nurse (RN) certification.

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