CNA requirements and cost

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

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I hope you don't mind my posting as a patient's family member, rather than a nurse.

My father has had home care with uncertified aides for 3 years. We are approaching a time that he will start to need more health care and/or need to use medicare. The women who have been with him are great and have formed important relationships with my father. I want to be able to keep them, but they are not CNAs.

Does anyone have information on the cost and requirements to become a CNA?

Any other thoughts on our being able to keep my father in his home, rather than going to nursing would be much appreciated!

He has what looks like the beginning of lung cancer (we are not putting him through biopsy because we won't be treating it), has spinal stenosis, so his mobility is lacking, and has periods of confusion. I'm trying to be prepared.

Thank you!

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You can find CNA classes at your local hospital, career center, Red Cross or community college. You can find them at nursing homes as well, but they normally provide the training for free in exchange for the student to work for them for so long.

Where I live in Western PA, the normal cost for the course is about $400 to $500. That, however, doesn't include the testing fee to get certified. I'm not sure, but I think the certification fee is probably around $100. Maybe a little more.

It only takes about one semester to receive the classroom/clinical training. Our local vo-tech even offers the training two nights per week with the clinical time being during the days on Fridays. I believe the overall course is about 100 hours in length.

I know one of the moderators had posted a list of where one could get CNA training in the state of PA. Try looking above these posts where it says "sticky". That link would help you find a program in your area.

Good luck,

Marci

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You can find CNA classes at your local hospital, career center, Red Cross or community college.

Where I live in Western PA, the normal cost for the course is about $400 to $500.

It only takes about one semester to receive the classroom/clinical training. Our local vo-tech even offers the training two nights per week

Thanks, Marci! I found a program at our local tech school via the dept. of health web site.

Laura;)

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