Cost of CNA program

verene, MSN · May 2, 2015

Those prices are much higher than I would expect. My program was $645 including book/materials. The local CC course runs about $1200, and they are the most expensive option in the area for training.

In my area neither CNAs nor EMTs are frequently hired into hospitals, the jobs exist but are limited and you have to have experience. The preference here is to hire CMAs. Try searching hospital job boards with each of the terms and see how many positions pop up, that should give you an idea of what the market is like.

caliotter3 · May 2, 2015

Contact the HR department of local hospitals and find out for certain whether or not they will accept or not accept EMT-B in lieu of a CNA certificate. Have you looked into getting CNA training at a local LTC facility for free in exchange for X amount of paid employment at the facility? That is a good alternative for keeping cost at a minimum.

Missingyou, CNA · May 2, 2015

I think the cost of CNA training is somewhere around $1000.00. I've never heard of anyone paying more than $1500.00

Some states will reimburse you for the cost of the class once you begin work in a medicare/medicaid funded facility (nursing home, hospital).

Have you checked your local Red Cross for training? That's where I did my training 4 evenings a week from 3p - 9p for 6 weeks. It cost $1450.00 and included a uniform and the cost for the state test...plus I was reimbursed the full amount when I began working in a nursing home!!!

hookyarnandblanket · May 2, 2015

I paid $450, plus the cost of the book and scrubs for clinicals. The facility that hired me reimbursed me for the cost of the class so really I was only out the cost of the book and scrubs.

mvm2 · May 2, 2015

I believe mine was between $700-800.

I was able to take mine through my home care agency.

I'd check around. There might be some classes that are cheaper then a grand plus. Some places like LTCs will pay for the class if you work for them for a length of time.

kaitlinbc · May 3, 2015

The CNA class that I'm starting soon is right at $300 and that include textbooks. Its a self paced class and 16 hours of clinical.

WCSU1987 · May 12, 2015

I am still debating taking a CNA class I probably not be able to balance it with my new job. My fiance is doing a five day program 8 hour's done in 2 weeks. I don't know why there aren't more accommodating to working people just do a four hour class two days a week for four month's...be so much easier. Did find three program's most day's are 8-3:30 four day's a week. Found an evening program is 5-10 3 day's week with rotating Saturday's...could possibly do that one it's a two month class.

Did find a few hospital positions that take EMTs...so that is a relief. Just hoping can become certified by mid January and find a night job so can start the LPN program in the spring.

Cakelady1 · May 13, 2015

There are several in my area, and the cost varies from $540 - $2000. I just finished mine (it's a pre-req for my nursing program), and I attended a program that was $1500. The tuition was all-inclusive...exam fee, book, scrubs for clinical, etc. It was 4 weeks of lecture/lab time and 3 days of clinical in a long term care facility. I chose the program I did because of it's location and state board pass rates. I found that, in my area anyway, the cheaper programs did not have such high success rates.