Can you just take the NAC exam?

[mamayogibear]

Without taking the course? I can't find a school where the course is coverd by financial aid but I need to get a NAC to apply to other programs. I have a 4.0 gpa in everything from A&P to Biochem and Stats so I don't think I'll have much trouble passing the test I just can't afford the course right now.

[juliaann]

You should call the governing body that certifies nurse aides in your state (in my state it is the department of health) and ask.

In my state you MUST have taken an apporved CNA course with a certain number of lecture hours and a certain number of clinical hours before you can sit for the state certification exam. The only exception is given to RN program students that have completed their first semester of their program (including a certain number of classroom and clinical hours). They are allowed to challenge the exam (sit for the state CNA certficiation exam without taking a specfic CNA course).

I tried to challenge the exam in my state since I already had over a year of patient care experience in a hospital at the time (you dont have to have your CNA to work as a nurse aide in hospitals in my state), and I was told I would HAVE to take an approved course before I could sit for the exam. It was such a waste of my time and money. I only needed the certification in order to apply to a nursing program that I ended up declining admission to.

Have you looked at community colleges in your area? Usually those offer CNA courses and also accept financial aid.

Good luck finding a course that works for you or finding a way around the course!