Free CNA courses in WA?

armywife808 · Jul 29, 2014

I'm not in WA, but you can try the Red Cross.

mvm2 · Jul 30, 2014

Not saying there is non, but...I have to think there are not many CNA courses that are free. If you look it up I am sure you will find many CNA course that are close to you but no garntees they are going to be free. Many of the courses run from $500 to over $1,000 to take. I don't think they would charge so much if there was a lot of free classes given. Also it won't be 100% free when you have to pay to get your states test done. Unfortunetly not many things in this life are free including schooling. Even if it is for a 6 week CNA class.

Proton · Jul 30, 2014

Hi there!

Some LTC facilities provide free or (very) low cost training with the understanding that you would work for them upon completion of you NNAAP. This could be a sweet deal, as you'll already have a job lined up.

https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/Professional/nat/search.aspx

Good luck!

armywife808 · Jul 30, 2014

Good info, Proton

You gave me the ideas to go to my state's health board and get a listing of LTCs, so I can be ready to send out resumes when I finish my training.

Proton · Jul 30, 2014

Good info, Proton
You gave me the ideas to go to my state's health board and get a listing of LTCs, so I can be ready to send out resumes when I finish my training.

Woot woot! :-)

There's a lot of info/experiences on AN about job hunting too! Good luck with everything!

Vak89 · Jul 30, 2014

Thanks a lot, all your help is appreciated. I'm going to check into some LTCs and see what I can find.

Proton · Jul 30, 2014

No problem - check the job openings if it says "Nursing Assistant" (without the "certified"), you may be able to start working with on the job training. Also a lot of facilities have a volunteer option (dining aides, etc), same with hospitals, to gain some experience!

armywife808 · Jul 30, 2014

Seems I read a post on this board where someone started as a dining aid and the facility trained her for fee to be a CNA. Can't remember if she had an employment commitment after the training though.

No problem - check the job openings if it says "Nursing Assistant" (without the "certified"), you may be able to start working with on the job training. Also a lot of facilities have a volunteer option (dining aides, etc), same with hospitals, to gain some experience!

Missingyou, CNA · Aug 1, 2014

Check your unemployment/job training offices too. They may pay for your CNA classes/books/uniform & state exam.

Some states will reimburse you for your class when you begin working in a medicare/medicaide facility such as a nursing home. I never knew that until I completed the class! The place where you take the class, Red Cross for example, will probably tell you if this is an option in your state.

:geek:

SeattleJess · Aug 2, 2014

No problem - check the job openings if it says "Nursing Assistant" (without the "certified"), you may be able to start working with on the job training. Also a lot of facilities have a volunteer option (dining aides, etc), same with hospitals, to gain some experience!

There are jobs available that say NAR (Nursing Assistant Registered), though they are not as numerous. Those are often excellent opportunities to get your employer to pay for your training. (My partner at my exam was just such an employee. Plus, he got a raise as soon as he passed his test.)

You should probably go ahead and register as a nursing assistant with the Dept. of Health. There are a few requirements like an HIV/AIDS course and infectious disease control protocols but those are easier to find for free or for cheap than a CNA course. I haven't seen any jobs for people who aren't at least NARs.

Also, if you do end up taking a class, try to do it at a place that is also a testing center so you can take your test in a familiar setting. The Seni Nursing Assistant Training Center in Seattle is one place like that. The Seni students in my test class all zipped through their exams. I took a course at Bellevue College that cost twice as much, lasted twice as long, none of which gave me an advantage in taking the test.

Good luck!

Vak89 · Aug 2, 2014

I ended up finding one at the Life Care Center in Puyallup if anyone else was looking. It's only $40 and no commitment to work for them after passing the exam. Thanks for aall your help.