How to ask about free training?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I guess this nursing home around my way have a cna training program and a lot of people got to take the program for free.

I just don't know how to ask them about help paying for the program they offer. Any advice?

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I would advise you to call the nursing home. And just ask if they have a job training program that will enable you to get your CNA. Then ask how can you apply for the program. Wish you luck! And take advantage of the free program. I think getting trained in a nursing home is the best place to get trained as a CNA. If you can make it in a nursing home. You can make it in any hospital.

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Don't be shy. Call the facility and ask about their CNA training program. The worst that can happen is that they tell you they don't have openings or that you will have to pay for the training.

Some larger nursing homes find that it is worth paying for the training (and some even pay students minimum wage to take the class) in exchange for the students working for them for six months or so. One of my daughters was able to find an opportunity like this and now she wants to go back to school for nursing.

I wish you the best!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Like other people have said, don't be afraid to just call the nursing home and ask about their CNA program. You want to be sure to ask the following questions of any program...

  • How much does the course cost? Is it free?
  • How long does the course last?
  • What materials will you need for the course?
  • How much of the course is lecture based? How much time is hands on training?
  • What kind of setting is the hands on training done in? A nursing home or a hospital?
  • What employment opportunities are available once you finish the course?

And finally but perhaps most importantly....

  • Will taking this course require you to work for the facility that trained you for any specific amount of time after training is complete?

As people have mentioned there are some really good free training programs out their but I would be wary of any program that says you will have to work for a certain facility for X amount of time. While its nice to have free training some of these nursing homes use it as traps to force you to work there for a certain amount of time and in my opinion that's not a good thing at all. So before you sign up with any program I would look around in your area and make a list of the programs that are available with their pros and cons. Look for a free program first, but if you aren't sure about the quality of the program don't sign up for it. I would rather pay for a better program that doesn't tell me who I have to work for and how long I have to work for them then be forced to work for some hellhole because they offered free training, but that's just me. Good luck!

!Chris :specs:

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The program my daughter signed up for required a six-month commitment. That seemed a reasonable exchange for receiving her training at no expense AND getting paid to take it. She ended up staying a lot longer.

Agreeing to work for the facility for a specified amount of time is a common practice. Hospitals pay for nurses to get or advance their education with the understanding that they will work for them for several years. The military gives education money in exchange for doing a specific tour of duty.

The important questions to ask are:

How long is the payback period?

What rate of pay will you be getting once you start?

What happens if you can't keep your commitment? How much would you have to pay back? Is it pro-rated for the amount of time you put in? If, say, you did half of the required time, would the payback amount then drop to half as well?

Are there any breaks for extenuating circumstances like moving out of the area or health problems.

Places that offer free or paid training have to have some kind of consequences for people who don't fulfill the contract or they would be overrun by those who would take advantage.

One thing to consider is that if you find a better job before your time is up, the new employer might be willing to "buy out" your contract.

Let us know what you find out.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I should correct myself. I would rather not have to sign a contract or something saying that I have to work for someone. But if it is a good facility and they pay for you to do training then I would go for it. But just be careful what you agree to before you sign/agree to anything.

!Chris :specs:

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Yea that is true. The whole signing a contract thing. The one place in my area that did free cna training no longer does it :(. I'm going to keep looking though.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Yea that is true. The whole signing a contract thing. The one place in my area that did free cna training no longer does it :(. I'm going to keep looking though.

Yeah just keep looking you will find something. Call around to nursing homes and near by hospitals to see what you can find out, you should also take a look and see if any community colleges or adult education courses (like from your town's community guild) are available.

!Chris :specs:

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I found one! Not free but much cheaper. I'm pretty excited.

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I interviewed for a CNA program thru the nursing home here. The program is free but they do not pay you while you train. There also is no contract. The only problem is that apparently everyone is wanting to get into the program. I however did not. I have no idea why, but she said that she had a lot of applicants and only 10 spots. I am supposed to be in the pile for September, but we will see. BTW there is no contract to sign either.

There is also a free program thru one of the hospitals here in Nashville, but there is a long waiting list, and I have no idea where I am on that list. It starts again in November. While I am waiting, I have to find a job. My husband is losing his job at the end of the week, and he is our sole income. I have an associates in office admin. so I have been sending out my resume for a few weeks now but no hits.

Anyway, please pray for our family and all those that are going thru a hard time in this economic crisis.

Thank you

Kayla

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It's not free, but it's a 6 week program that can get you working pretty quickly. Try your local Red Cross.

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Aww Kayla,

I pray that everything will workout for you and your family. Don't give up.

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