Help! Any CNA Classes under $500?!?

Sk8rbug · May 21, 2007

Have you checked out the colleges? I took the CNA at Paradise Valley Comm. College this spring. They are pretty low in cost, but it does take a full semester plus some pre-req.s. Check out thier website.

Good luck!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 21, 2007

How about getting hired by a nursing home? They often do classes - but you'll have to stay for awhile.

FlyMurse, BSN, RN · May 21, 2007

Regarding the community colleges: I know the classes are a semester long, so does that mean I'd have to pay a semester worth of tuition? If so, I'm out of state so it'd be even more. I got my invoice for CGCC and 14 credits will cost $3970!!!!

Regarding the nursing home: I am also familiar with this program. Only problem for me is the distance from Queen Creek to the nearest one would be a considerable amount of driving.

Thanks for the input guys! More suggestions welcome.

ps anyone know if Red Cross still offers classes? I heard they don't but i'm not 100% positive

Jeremy

TruDivaRN, BSN, RN · May 21, 2007

WOW, I can't believe CNA classes are so much in AZ. Here in NC I got my certification in high school. The Community Colleges around here usually charge $64 and the books may run you about $50. In all the class is about $115. It usually lasts 6 weeks and requires no prereqs.

AZmom · May 21, 2007

Regarding the community colleges: I know the classes are a semester long, so does that mean I'd have to pay a semester worth of tuition? If so, I'm out of state so it'd be even more. I got my invoice for CGCC and 14 credits will cost $3970!!!!

If money is tight and you are willing to slow it down a bit, you can get a much better break on your tuition. By taking 7 credits or less through MCCCD you can be classified as an unclassified student, and you pay........gosh, I forget, but it's only a little over the instate tuition ($65/credit). It's ONLY once you go over 7 credits that they must classify you, and as out of state, and then you get hit with the $250+/credit that you're seeing.

Or, take your 7 credits through MCCCD and find somewhere else with cheaper tuition to take your remaining 7. Out of state, I mean. I was reading at my sister's school in WI (Fox Valley Tech) that out of state tuition for INTERNET classes at her school is the same as their instate tuition for internet classes (a little over $100/credit there). Beats $250. I'm not saying to go there necessarily, but maybe try and find an out of state school which offers internet classes (if that's something you feel you could hack) at a reasonable cost.

FTR, what isn't allowed is to take 7 credits at two different community colleges or universities in Arizona to get around the unclassified classification and rate hike, so that wouldn't work.

Regarding the nursing home: I am also familiar with this program. Only problem for me is the distance from Queen Creek to the nearest one would be a considerable amount of driving.
Thanks for the input guys! More suggestions welcome.
ps anyone know if Red Cross still offers classes? I heard they don't but i'm not 100% positive

I'd heard that the RC doesn't offer them anymore, but I'm not 100% positive either.

Pima Medical Institute in Mesa offers a CNA course for $1000. 5-6 week programs. Includes books, uniform, tuition, CPR iirc, just about everything except maybe the physical, immunizations, etc.

Medical Services Company in Scottsdale: $750. That's what I have written in my notes; sorry don't know much more about them than that.

Shanti in Phoenix is said to sometimes offer the course free/reduced. I believe you have to meet their income guidelines, so not sure if you'd qualify or not.