CNA training - Help?

U.S.A. Alabama

Published

Hello,

I'm a 27-year old HS graduate who never went to college (unless you count the 1 semester that I didn't take seriously). Since then, I've worked exclusively in retail and am looking to *finally* get started on my nursing career.

I would appreciate any information on CNA training, having no previous experience. My funds are limited, so options that include grants/scholarships/paid training/etc. are preferred.

Thanks for your help!

Edit: Forgot to mention, I am in the "Hoover/Pelham/Helena" area of Alabama.

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Specializes in CNA, Aspiring CRNA.

hello,

you can:

a) go to fafsa.com and enter your information and they will get back to you soon and let you know if you qualify for financial aide. if you do qualify, you could take the cna course at a community college, payed for by grants.

if you don't,

b) you could find independent schools that will allow you to work out a payment plan.

. . . or,

c) you could contact long-term care facilities---nursing homes, assisted living residencies, group homes, etc.---and hospitals to find out if they are willing to hire someone with no certification. if they are, they will likely send you to cna school for a minumum of 75 hours if they want you to stay on.:nurse:

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Specializes in ER Observation.

Well you have several options 1)you could take the course at a local community college 2) You can go to your local red cross and get your cna certification or 3) You can work at a local skilled nursing or ltc facillity where they'll eventually pay for your cna certification if you get hired and make a good impression on them. I personally went with option number 2 the problem is I had to pay $600 for the course. But it all worked out though I now work at a hospital on the neurology floor I love my job and I'm one and a half semesters (The rest of this spring plus next fall) away from applying to nursing school.

Good Luck

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Well I'll offer my 2 cents. I personally went through lawson's cna program and it was wonderful! I had a complaint here and there but it was mostly because my teacher had been a nurse for 60+ years And was a real particular and strict teacher. I start Jeff states nursing program this summer, and I feel that I will be fully perpared! The program runs about $400 with books and all that about $450, but it was worth every penny.

Now as for the finacial aid part, it was told to me NO school in Alabama has finacial aid that covers cna classes. And from my research that proved correct. However, you do have adult learning centers that give you cna classes for free depending on income, if you are a single parent, or just getting out of jail (go figure!) I would check one of those 0ut!

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I heard that if you start at a nursing home you get free CNA training. Is that true? Also how do I get an entry-level job at a hospital such as patient admissions? Thx.

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