can i become CNA without going school?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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hello, everyone

I have a few question about becoming CNA. First of all can i the take the exam without going school? i've heard i could buy book, prepare myself and take the test. is that true? If not do you have any suggestions of school which have a flexible schedule? like fewer hours.

I live in chicago. so please share with me your experience,

thank you.

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Specializes in direct support care of disabled adults.

I am in MN. and I start on Mon. and I talked to a adviser and my classes they will give info of where I can go to take the test so its not part of the course for me so I think if you check out Chicago's nursing state board you might get that info!

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You have to have 72 hours of class room time and 12 clinical hours to take the test. The Red Cross gives them all the time and different hours are available. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
hello, everyone

I have a few question about becoming CNA. First of all can i the take the exam without going school? i've heard i could buy book, prepare myself and take the test. is that true? If not do you have any suggestions of school which have a flexible schedule? like fewer hours.

I live in chicago. so please share with me your experience,

thank you.

The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 requires that CNA's have a minimum of 75 hours of training.

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Thank you guys for all of your helpful information. :)

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not to hijack this thread or anything, but I have a similar question. I'm a 2nd semester sophomore in Pitt's Nursing school and have completed 175 hours of clinical experience up to this point. I'm really not interested in spending any time in a classroom to become certified as a CNA, because I'm really only getting it for this summer. Can I simply take an exam online? Searching the web has offered little information, so I'm assuming they are only offered handwritten, at certain facilities. The numbers posted in the sticky thread are not correct, so I'm looking for a little guidance here.

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One more thing guys. Is there any online classes that I could take?does Illinois board of nursing accept online certfication?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
not to hijack this thread or anything, but I have a similar question. I'm a 2nd semester sophomore in Pitt's Nursing school and have completed 175 hours of clinical experience up to this point. I'm really not interested in spending any time in a classroom to become certified as a CNA, because I'm really only getting it for this summer. Can I simply take an exam online? Searching the web has offered little information, so I'm assuming they are only offered handwritten, at certain facilities. The numbers posted in the sticky thread are not correct, so I'm looking for a little guidance here.

Check Pennsylvania's Board of Nursing. Idk how it is there, but here in MD, after a semester or two(depending on the particular program) you can apply for your CNA license. I believe you can do it after you've had Fundamentals. Good luck :)

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im in cna schooll now an i need alot of hours before i test

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Specializes in ICU.
not to hijack this thread or anything, but I have a similar question. I'm a 2nd semester sophomore in Pitt's Nursing school and have completed 175 hours of clinical experience up to this point. I'm really not interested in spending any time in a classroom to become certified as a CNA, because I'm really only getting it for this summer. Can I simply take an exam online? Searching the web has offered little information, so I'm assuming they are only offered handwritten, at certain facilities. The numbers posted in the sticky thread are not correct, so I'm looking for a little guidance here.

Maybe ask an advisor in your nursing department?

I have a friend that is in LPN school, has done several clinical rotations and been "signed off" on things like IV start, blood draw, etc., and wanted to see if she could sit for the CNA or PCT exam without taking a course and was told no, since the "training" she had was not approved CNA or PCT education, even though she's had more than enough clinical hours and competent in all the skills she would need to be a CNA, PCT, or AUA. I'm sure each state's board has their own rules.

Some states will allow you to work as a nurse aide without certification. My state (Oklahoma) allows non-certified nurse aides in hospitals, but not LTC - to work in LTC here you have to be a CNA. I worked my first year as a hospital nurse aide before I took a class to become a CNA. It did not affect my pay or getting hired at all. Maybe see if hospitals in your area will hire a non-certified nurse aide?

My state's CNA test must be taken in person because you have to demonstate clinical competency, and then you take a quick easy 60 question test on the computer. I doubt anywhere would have a CNA test online only, but you should check with your state.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU.
hello, everyone

I have a few question about becoming CNA. First of all can i the take the exam without going school? i've heard i could buy book, prepare myself and take the test. is that true? If not do you have any suggestions of school which have a flexible schedule? like fewer hours.

I live in chicago. so please share with me your experience,

thank you.

I took my CNA class from a local community college, and it was mostly online. All our reading/homework/tests were done from home. We had 4 "days" of lab on campus (6 hour long evenings), and 4 clinicals (8 hour long morning and early afternoons). We had 1 day of lab and 1 day of clinical a week for 4 weeks. Fast, easy, cheap. Maybe there's something like this in your area? I'm in Oklahoma, so that doesn't help much.

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I live in utah  and im looking to become CNA certified. I have 12 years in homecare and I am wondering if I should just go take the CNA exam.

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