Where do I start to become a CNA?

Question

I checked out a bunch of links online but none of them are for CNA's they end up being degree's for medical assisting or something. I heard you can get certified to become a CNA online in like 6 weeks. Where do I go for that?

Answer 1

To become a CNA, I suggest doing one of several things:

1)  Check your local technical college, or "career-college" in your locale, for a CNA class.  It may be longer than a 6-8 week program, but I can assure you, you will get much more out of a longer program, you'll get hands-on experience (usually provided as an 'externship' or 'practicum', and you'll be much more competent and confident when you are finished.  Also, although the program may be longer than a

6-8 week class that a nursing home may offer, your certification will be more respected as you progress in your career as a CNA, perhaps with other companies:-).  Also, usually when you are trained by a particular nursing home or 'facility' - versus going through general certification, you are OBLIGATED to stay there a certain time period, and if you don't like it and quit, in many cases, they will bill you, and you will OWE them for your education:-(.

2)  Become trained by a local nursing home, but just be sure you understand what you will get, and what you will be obligated to!  

To find out where in your area you can attend a career college / community college to get your certification, just go to:  Yahoo's home-page, down on the left you'll see a link to "Yellow Pages" -- click on that link, make sure you 'change your location" in the upper right - - then look under Education.

Good luck in whatever you choose!

Answer 2

Don't always believe the online degree stuff.  If you want a real degree with all the experience you need to take a real class.  I went through a nursing home and it was free and I got certified in 8 weeks.  This way you are getting hands on experience which you need for this job.  And if you find a nursing home which most nursing homes offer this class it is usually free.  Then when you graduate they will hire you immediately.  That's what happened with me and I heard this from others.  There is a high demand for C.N.A.'s so you shouldn't have a hard time finding classes.  I suggest that you start off by calling the nearest nursing home near you and if they don't give classes they can give you references that do.  Good luck!

Answer 3

i don't know about online courses but there's a 7 week program for CNA like where i got mine in california. most schools especially the public ones offers cna training cheaper but may take up some time like 6 months while where i got mine, it's a little bit expensive but i got mine for a short period of time.

it also depends on how many days and hours in a week do you need to attend the lecture and internship in a facility. department of health requires like 80 hours i think (not sure) for them to approve you for taking the license exam for cna