CNA online courses?

DreamyEyes · Mar 4, 2008

I don't think you can get certified to be a CNA on-line. There are a certain amount of clinical hours you need to fulfill the requirements to become a CNA. I had 180 hours of classroom AND clinical hours.

But you can find classes that are relatively short and will enable you to become certified fast. I have heard of some classes being only 3 weeks. Mine was 2 months long, which still isn't that long, and I went through Red Cross which I highly recommend. Go to redcross.com, and call your local Red Cross to find out if they are holding CNA classes. Most of them do. Good luck!

MikeyJ, RN · Mar 5, 2008

I would call your State Board of Nursing and ask for a list of approved CNA programs (or you can go online). You could call local nursing homes -- many LTC facilities have CNA programs if you promise to work for them afterword.

I personally would look for those quick programs before resorting to a local community college. I think 4 weeks is more than enough for a CNA program.

And I don't think you could do a CNA program online -- it is almost all hands-on.

coffee&milk · Aug 10, 2009

I don't think you can get certified to be a CNA on-line. There are a certain amount of clinical hours you need to fulfill the requirements to become a CNA. I had 180 hours of classroom AND clinical hours.
But you can find classes that are relatively short and will enable you to become certified fast. I have heard of some classes being only 3 weeks. Mine was 2 months long, which still isn't that long, and I went through Red Cross which I highly recommend. Go to redcross.com, and call your local Red Cross to find out if they are holding CNA classes. Most of them do. Good luck!

Do they charge for the course or its free? Which county did you go to?

allnurses Guide · Aug 10, 2009

I know it is tempting to get classes done asap, but online isn't always the way to go. Take a class in a community college. You'll get the benefit of live interaction w/ an instructor. You also must do hands-on... no escape from that.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel CNA work is a big deal. You will be responsible for some pretty sick human beings who are going to be relying on you.

A poorly trained aide can kill (yes, I said "kill") someone.

It's not just passing out ice-water.