CNA programs help.

Hello! I have been searching these boards for a week now and still cannot find a CNA program in the south jersey/philadelphia area that is flexible and under 1400. I called about 10 LTC facilities and none offer training. I was interested in the Red Cross training but have emailed and called several times with no reply. Does anyone know what the schedule is like (hours) and if financial aid is available? Any input would help. I am currently waiting for a letter from 3 rn and bsn programs and would like to get some experience before I begin in august or if I am waitlisted or denied (fingers crossed). If anyone knows of any places that will hire a nursing assistant without certification that would also help. Thanks! :)

I don`t think the Red Cross offers CNA training in NJ. I know in the central NJ region CNA is not offered by the Red Cross. Most county vocational schools do offer CNA training though and most are eligible for some sort of financial aid (But this will affect your eligibility and amount of aide for future college programs as there is a maximum benefit amount) hospitals are not legally obligated to require CNA certification but LTC and Assisted Living are legally obligated to only hire certified personnel. You could

look into CHHA as many home health agencies offer free training in exchange for you working for the agency. The training is less than a month full time for CHHA.

Most LTC no longer offer CNA training for free any longer as they have sufficient already certified staff to choose from. I have not seen LTCs offer paid/free CNA training in at least 5 years because they have not had to.

Thank you for the information. I was referring to the Red Cross in philadelphia which is 15 mins from me. Sorry for the confusion. As for financial aid, I do not require much because I am an independent student living on a part time salary (less than 20,000) and I get grants that cover most if not part of my tuition currently.

Thank you for the information. I was referring to the Red Cross in philadelphia which is 15 mins from me. Sorry for the confusion. As for financial aid I do not require much because I am an independent student living on a part time salary (less than 20,000) and I get grants that cover most if not part of my tuition currently.[/quote']

Remember there is a maximum allowed for grants. It's the max available per year x 4 years. So if the max allowable grant annually for full time is $5,000 you would be eligible for a total of $20,000 for the equivalent of 4 full time years for undergraduate work. Hence why using grant money for a $5,000 certification would not be prudent if you intend to pursue a BSN. (Not fully applicable to your situation as you have already stated you don't want a CNA program that costs more than $1200).

Check out the community ed programs of your county college and your county votech schools as you should be able to find a CNA program for less than $1200.

Thanks again! How do you know all this stuff about financial aid and grants, it's impressive! I just started getting grants this past semester, I found a community college that is 1200 which includes everything. It's just a matter of seeing if I can switch my days off to weekends or if I get accepted to a program. When I went to my interview they suggested getting some hands on by volunteering but there isn't much in the area besides doing desk work :/. Do you thing spending the time and money is worth it if I am on the way to starting nursing this year or next?