How do i get my CNA Liscence?

[AllbreeJo]

I am just starting out and am completely new to this whole nursing thing. If I am looking to obtain my associates I need to get my Wa State Certified Nurse Assistant Liscence but I dont know where to get it!?! Ive searched online hight and low but I dont know whats real and whats just a gimmic. If anyone can help me Id love it!!! oh ya, and can I get it online cuz I do work full-time.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

First of all, CNAs are certified, nurses are licensed. Yes, there's a difference.

Second, to answer your question, try calling your local Red Cross Chapter. If they don't have any upcoming CNA classes available, I'll bet they can tell you who does.

Best of luck to you, AllbreeJo, and welcome to Allnurses!

[arciedee]

First of all, CNAs are certified, nurses are licensed. Yes, there's a difference.

Except in New Hampshire where nursing assistants are licensed, too. Actually, I am not sure if it's because NAs are licensed in our state, but our Board of Nursing has a list of approved programs on their website so you could check to see if your state does something similar.

Otherwise, I agree with the above poster. Check the Red Cross. Check local community colleges. And even ask the schools you're interested in if they have any suggestions. They may have feedback from current students about what programs people thought were good, etc.

As for online, I think it's doubtful that you'd find anything online, because so much of the course is going to be dedicated to lab/clinical experiences. However, you should be able to find programs that offer class in the evenings or on weekends.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

as best as i can tell here is information from surfing the washington state nurse aide registry site on this page:

• http://askgeorge.wa.gov/dshs/query.html?qt=nac+training+programs&qs=-url%3awww1.dshs.wa.gov%2fesa%2facesman+%2b+-url%3awww1.dshs.wa.gov%2fesa%2feazmanual+%2b+-url%3awww1.dshs.wa.gov%2fesa%2fsocialservices+%2b+-url%3awww1.dshs.wa.gov%2fesa%2fwccc+%2b+-url%3awww1.dshs.wa.gov%2fesa%2fwfhand%2f+%2b+-url%3awww1.dshs.wa.gov%2fmanuals%2f&col=dshs&style=sow&nh=7&origin=dshs&image1.x=11&image1.y=7

it seems that you need to contact a local area on aging office (there is a link on the above webpage) to find out where you can get the training you need. most cna registries are administrated by a state's department of health services and your state seems to follow this trend. i also have other contact information for the cna registry in washington:

washington cna-attention: barbara miller

p.o. box 45600

olympia, wa 98504-5600

ph: [phone]

fax: [phone]

something else you can try is to call a nursing home or two and ask to speak to the don (director of nursing). tell this person what your situation is and ask how you go about getting (and finding) a cna training class. if a cna is a requirement of the nursing school you are planning on attending, you should contact the office of the nursing school. they should have information for prospective students on how and where you can get your cna certification.

i found much of this information through links provided on the cna-nursing assistant discussion forum of allnurses (https://allnurses.com/forums/f265/) at this thread

• https://allnurses.com/forums/f265/complete-list-cna-registries-171787.html - complete list of cna registries
  

good luck!