I want to get CNA certified (by my employer)

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I want to become a nurse, and I think that starting as a CNA would be a great way to gain some experience and to make sure I know what it feels like. (I don't want to be a completely fresh nurse).

So I'd like to get my CNA certification, but I'm not sure where to go. There are places where I can pay to take classes, but I'd rather work for a place that would train me as part of the job.

I live in NASHVILLE, Tennessee. Does anyone know of a place that would educate me?

Thanks a bunch in advance. (:

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I want to become a nurse, and I think that starting as a CNA would be a great way to gain some experience and to make sure I know what it feels like. (I don't want to be a completely fresh nurse).

So I'd like to get my CNA certification, but I'm not sure where to go. There are places where I can pay to take classes, but I'd rather work for a place that would train me as part of the job.

I live in NASHVILLE, Tennessee. Does anyone know of a place that would educate me?

Thanks a bunch in advance. (:

You're on an excellent path to a nursing career. I worked as a CNA before and it was a real eye opener to what it would be like if I were a nurse. I really enjoyed it.

Did you look in the newspaper for nursing homes offering the training? That's were I got mine. You could also check technical schools, hospitals and community colleges as well. However, you might have to pay for you schooling with them. The positive side to that is you can choose were you want to work after you are certified, rather than taking the free education from a facility and possibly not liking where you work.

Good luck to you and welcome to allnurses.

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Specializes in Neuro.

I got my CNA certification from my employer, and luckily I picked a good facility because they "asked" that I work for them for a year in exchange for the paid training I received. I found out they did that via their website/classified ad. I would agree with the previous poster that if you go that route, do some major investigating into the facility and make sure it's somewhere you want to work. A good indication is turnover... if you work somewhere where CNAs have been there for 20 years, it's probably better than one where people leave after 6 months.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical, Intermediate and Home Care.

Yes, this would be a great step toward knowing what being a licensed provider is all about. Also, with the shortages in nursing, I noticed LPNs are being brought back in versus their being phased out 10 years ago from hospitals. And, since the program going from LPN to RN is faster, there has to be some benefit by going from CNA to LPN. If there isn't a program today, maybe there will be one by time you finish.

Check out your local resource centers, beginning with the state employment works office. If you look in enough places (call everywhere), you are bound to find one that you would qualify for under a grant program.

Best Wishes!

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

I got my CNA this past fall at the tech school where I'm going to do LPN. They actually require CNA before starting LPN. It only cost $300 and that didn't leave me stuck at a nursing home I wasn't happy with. Most of them around here require at least 1 year committment if they train you, as someone else said. There are some here that can be done in as short as 1 month if you go full time. Good luck!

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Look on the web for a program called NATS (nursing assistant training specialists). The 5-week course costs $700, but they can help you get a job (if you're a good student) and the employer will pay for the course. They're the best in Nashville.

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Congratulations in your decision to become a nurse!!! I agree with you on becoming a CNA, that's what I did as well. Definately call around to local nursing homes. I work in one now, and we train CNAs for free, with no contract requirement, but I'm in Alabama. If you call around, I'm sure you will find a similar program, CNAs are in high demand everywhere.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

http://www2.state.tn.us/health/hcf/trainingfacilitiesregions.htm this link will take you to a page where you can find a nurse aide training program near you in nashville. they are organized by county in the state of tennessee. contact addresses and phone numbers are given, so you will want to make contact with the individual training programs to see if they meet your qualifications.

the agency that maintains your state cna registry is the tennessee department of health. here is a link to their page for information about cnas and getting registered http://www2.state.tn.us/health/hcf/nurseaide.htm

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Hi,

CNA is better than EMT and both courses are small duration courses.

that will really help you in getting jobs. BS nursing is another good option for you. You can visit following websites for more information and job related options:

Wyoming Board of Nursing

Hospital Nursing Jobs

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Hey

I !! HIGHLY RECOMMEND NATS !!! I went through the program a few years ago and the instructor (moderator edit of name) is one of the best teachers I have ever had! she goes through Nurse one in those few weeks. Its a very good comprehensive class. The information is excellent. I have never seen anyone present such a large amount of information in such an excellent way.

I have had all my prereqs for nursing and are in my first semester of RN school. I really appreciate Nats and I think I would be lost with out having gone through it. Nursing school starts at a fast run and you dont slow down. I know other places train CNTS but they dont do as good of a job as NATS does. Vanderbuild hires from Nats that has to tell you that its a great program.

I have NEVER regreted going through the nats program and wish I had sat in the classes this summer while I was doing all the pre reading for nursing school.

If you are wanting to be GOOD at what you do CNT Nursing Nats is the way to go !!!!!!!!!!!

thank you Lynda you are awesome !!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Check into see if your state offers a program called ROP (Regional Occupational Program) it might be what everyone is stating as NATS. That's where I got my CNA/CHHA in 3 mos. Full time. it was free. I just had to pay for my books, stethoscope. I ended up landing a job at a retirement facility I trained at. I don't know if it's just a california base program! but good luck.

it's definitely an eye opener. I ended up working for a Visiting Nurse Association within 6 mos of my graduation (I only stayed at the ret. facility for 3 mos) I needed to have the flexibility of my own hours. So with the VNA I would call in weekly (if I didn't have a steady client(s)) and they would ask my availability. I was able to choose what jobs and hours I needed/wanted. and the pay is a lot more in the Association and private duty than in a ret. facility.

Good luck!

something to consider as others have posted, I'd be cautious for on the job training at facilities, I'd check with the state to see if you're able to sit for the exam after training at that facility. Some places aren't accredited to train you properly and allow you to sit for the exam. AND lastly, make sure you are very familiar with the facility and like it, as others posted, you'd hate to get stuck working for a place you despise.

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