Curious about a Nursing assistant job/career, in need of some advice!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Well, Hello everyone! I have been searching for a career the past few years that would be fitting for me. I've taken some time to look into a job as a CNA and have fallen in love with the thought. However, I'm a young mother of 2 with almost no money to put towards my education. While I know that there are community colleges where I could get a grant, the one near me has limited enrollment for their nursing assistant classes, and is no longer accepting anyone.

I just can't wait around for a year.

Don't take it the wrong way, I'm still applying for other jobs to work my way into the field, I guess I should just get to the point though..

Are there ways for someone to get tuition assistance or even training paid for in Arizona to become a CNA?

I've been hunting online and everything I find sends me to a technical school (almost all have terrible ratings, I would rather wait than risk not getting certified because the school can't find an externship even if it's promised) or suggests calling around to local long term care facilities to see if they'll train someone (the only one in my city that does requires an employee to already be certified, and I'm not quite sure how to go about that conversation)

Any information at all would be really helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

Have you considered what you'll do for childcare when you're doing shift work?

I was a single mom for most of my adult life. It's not easy finding child care for evenings, overnight and weekends.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live with my boyfriend of 3 years, I'm hoping to either rotate work schedules with him or have his mother or my grandmother help with babysitting. Am I always going to have varying schedules?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

I live in Mesa and went here: http://www.azmti.com

Good school, different scheduling options for classes (I did the weekends-only class), highest first-time pass rate for state boards in AZ, and good reputation in the community for its grads. Cost me $1000 all inclusive (tuition, books, uniform top, stethoscope, BP cuff, clinicals) about 3 years ago and I don't think it's really gone up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

You do have to pay separately for the testing fee and your fingerprints, but that's true anywhere. Just thought I should add that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Is there any kind of tuition assistance or reimbursement? I can barely get $100 dollars together, let alone $1000. I could get help with the testing fee and fingerprints no problem, but not the fee for the course itself.

*edit: My boyfriend's mother would help with the smaller fees, but I have to figure out the schooling on my own. I won't let her support me anymore and I'm trying to get more independence.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

Can you get funding from your city or state?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Also, the most recent reviews of the place aren't exactly positive. I can't afford a screw up when it comes to this and am quite afraid to take a risk like that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Honestly, I have no idea how I would go about that. That's one of my issues. I don't trust the technical schools enough to find out if I can get funding through them, and I'm not sure who I would contact about funding through the city/state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Honestly, I have no idea how I would go about that. That's one of my issues. I don't trust the technical schools enough to find out if I can get funding through them, and I'm not sure who I would contact about funding through the city/state.

Hi there,

This isn't the route I took (partly because I was unaware), but I met a woman today that worked as a Nurse aide at a nursing home. They trained her at the facility and paid for her testing. She also received a pay increase upon passing the state exam. Perhaps there are nursing facilities in your area that offer training? I found some in my area (just now in a search) through Indeed, Snag a Job and the classifieds online

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I should clarify that she was hired without a certification. The facility trained her to become certified and test at the state level.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Contact your state's board of nursing. There should be a list of approved programs and, whether through the BON or the school you choose, you should be able to find financial assistance options.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment