Last Updated on December 23, 2022
Become a CNA Online
How to Become a CNA Online
Healthcare is an ever-changing and exciting career field. New innovations and techniques are always being developed to improve patient care and outcomes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the healthcare field are expected to grow over the next several years as the population of the United States ages. If the field of medicine interests you, now is a great time to become a part of it. One of the quickest ways to start working in the healthcare industry is by becoming a certified nursing assistant, or CNA. CNAs have relatively short training programs that are widely available and can even be taken online.
CNA Online Programs
With the busy lifestyle many lead today, they may assume that they simply do not have time to train for a new career. Online CNA training options make becoming a CNA a very achievable goal. On average, a CNA training program takes eight weeks to complete. Some accelerated programs take as little as two weeks and some part time programs can take a bit longer.
CNA training usually consists of a certain amount of classroom learning and a certain amount of hands-on learning. In hybrid CNA training programs, you can complete all of the classroom learning hours online. Doing CNA training online can save you a lot of time as well as the cost of traveling to and from campus for class. Becoming a CNA by completing online classes is a very convenient option.FIND CNA ONLINE PROGRAMS
How To Become A Cna Online
Online Learning
While online learning may be difficult for some students, most find that it is easy to acclimate to. Most online CNA classes will have lecture videos or text available on a website. They will also usually have written assignments as well as exams that each student needs to complete. For the most past, online courses work like traditional courses in terms of scheduling. Certain readings and assignments will have due dates, and the course will be completed in an allotted amount of time. Some online learning programs may give students the ability to set their own pace, but most have a set pace.
CNAs learning online will complete the same courses as CNAs learning in a traditional classroom setting. The online courses will cover topics such as patient nutrition and hygiene, medical ethics, human anatomy, and effective communication and reporting techniques.
Hands-On Training
Most CNA programs require some portion of hands-on training (known as clinicals) in order for a student to pass the nursing assistant program. The number of required in-person hours is almost always less than the required number of classroom hours. These clinical hours are most often completed in a nursing home or hospital. During the clinical hours, a nursing assistant student will be supervised by an LPN or an RN and will have to demonstrate that he or she has a good working knowledge of patient care skills and how to take vital signs. Each state will have differing requirements for the necessary amount of clinical hours. For some states it is as little as 16 hours while for others it is upwards of 40 hours. In either case, the clinical hours can most often be completed in a week or two.
CNA Competency Exam and CNA Registry
Upon completion of a CNA training program you will be a nursing assistant, but you will not yet be a certified nursing assistant. Some facilities may hire nursing assistants, but most will require certification. In order to become certified, you will need to complete and pass the competency test for nursing assistants given by your state. Each state’s test will vary, but generally the nursing assistant test will consist of a written or multiple-choice portion as well as a portion in which you will need to demonstrate your knowledge of basic nursing assistant skills.
Once you have passed the competency exam, some states also require that you then be listed on the CNA registry. A nursing assistant registry is an easy way for employers to verify that you have indeed completed and passed CNA training and that you are approved to practice as a CNA. CNA registries also contain information about any maltreatment or abuse that has been reported for any particular individual.
While it is not necessary to be certified or on the CNA registry in order to work as a nursing assistant, most employers look to hire certified nursing assistants and also use the CNA registry to confirm that they are hiring properly trained safe employees. Being both certified and on the registry will likely benefit you in your nursing assistant career.
How To Become A Cna Online
Becoming a CNA Online
If you have been dreaming of making a career change, completing the training to become a CNA is a great way to start that journey. By completing a convenient online training program and some clinical training, you could soon be well on your way to becoming a CNA.
Why Get a CNA Certification?
Although earning a CNA degree takes money and time, the degree can benefit professionals in several ways. In this section, we discuss the pros of enrolling in a CNA program.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse – Nursing Timeline
A typical nursing degree can take 2-4 years to complete. Each level of nursing has its own timeline, and that timeline can vary depending upon factors like part-time vs. full-time enrollment, certification, and the type of program.
Below is an overview of the typical amount of time it takes to complete a nursing degree, keep in mind that the length provided is for the amount of time it takes to complete that segment of the degree, not the entire academic path overall:
| NURSING DEGREE LEVEL | TIME OF COMPLETION |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) | 2-3 years |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 1-2 years |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 4 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4-5 years |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 1.5-3 years |
| Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 1-3 years |
What Are the Requirements for a CNA Certification?
To qualify for a CNA program, applicants must submit relevant test scores and transcripts. Competitive programs may also require an essay or interview. Once a student earns enrollment, they complete coursework that prepares them for licensure. Most CNA programs include lectures, traditional tests, and clinical rotations.
Since certification requirements for CNAs vary by school, learners should attend a school in the state in which they want to practice. However, online programs make it possible to attend a school in any state. Most states require CNAs to pursue on-the-job training hours and pass a competency exam.
Best Online CNA Classes
1
Hazard Community and Technical College
LocationHazard, KYAvg Net Price$6044
Located in Hazard, Kentucky, HCTC offers a four-month nurse aide program that combines lectures with hands-on laboratory and clinical experience. The program caps enrollment at 15 students per class.
Learners interested in earning an online CNA degree can choose from two program options: nursing assistant skills and Kentucky medication aide. The nursing assistant skills program prepares enrollees to earn placement on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry. The Kentucky medication aide option trains learners to administer medications under a licensed nurse’s supervision.
Applicants need a high school or GED diploma or a 10th-grade or higher score on the TABE. They also need six months of experience as a nursing assistant within the past two years. HCTC is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.View School Profile2
Maysville Community and Technical College
LocationMaysville, KYAvg Net Price$5793
Based in Maysville, Kentucky, Maysville offers an associate degree nursing program. The certified nurse aide (CNA) program prepares enrollees to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Learners can pursue either a Medicaid nurse aide certificate or a Kentucky medication aide certificate. Graduates may work in hospitals, clinics, or educational facilities.
Learners pursuing this online CNA degree can complete coursework asynchronously. However, enrollees must attend an on-campus clinical lab. All applicants need a “basic” or better score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills.
Maysville is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.View School Profile3
Somerset Community College
LocationSomerset, KYAvg Net Price$5481
Somerset, Kentucky-based SCC offers a nurse aid certificate that prepares students to become state certified as nurse aids. Once students complete the 75-hour course and pass with a C or higher, they may take the state nurse aide exam. The Cabinet for Health Services Department of Medicaid Services mandates this program’s training requirements.
Learners pursuing this online CNA degree must complete a background check and drug screen. Enrollees also need white scrubs and shoes for hands-on training in local nursing homes.
Certificate-holders may work in hospitals and nursing centers caring for patients under a licensed nurse’s supervision. SCC is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.View School Profile4
Ashland Community and Technical College
LocationAshland, KYAvg Net Price$5733
ACTC, based in Ashland, Kentucky, offers a practical nursing diploma program that prepares graduates to work as licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The program emphasizes the importance of nursing in maintaining health and preventing illness.
Enrollees can pursue either a Medicaid nurse aide certificate or a Kentucky medication aide certificate. Students may also continue their education by pursuing an LPN-to-RN degree.
Graduates may work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or doctors’ offices under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or physicians.
ACTC is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.View School Profile5
State Fair Community College
LocationSedalia, MOAvg Net Price$4351
SFCC, located in Sedalia, Missouri, offers a certificate in practical nursing and an associate of applied science in nursing degree. Students in the competency-based bi-level program can become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in their first year. Aspiring registered nurses can then transition to the associate program in their second year. The program offers courses in a hybrid delivery format. Students attend courses online and at SFCC’s Clinton campus.
Applicants need an overall minimum 2.5 GPA and a minimum 2.75 GPA in all prerequisite or required courses. They must also demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and excellent interpersonal skills. Current LPNs and paramedics can benefit from advanced placement opportunities. Articulation agreements ensure that students who wish to continue their education can transfer SFCC credits to four-year schools.
SFCC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
