Is it worth it taking out a loan for a CNA program certificate?

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Hi everyone, Im waiting to get into a nursing program and I want to work as a CNA while I wait. The cheapest CNA program I have found in my area is $675. I dont have that kind of money and Im wondering would it would be worth it to go to my credit union to get a loan for a CNA program.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

How much interest will you have to pay back? Is the amount of money you will be making as a CNA able to pay off this loan

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Specializes in critical care.

I'm guessing it will depend on where you live. Here in PA, many nursing homes will train you for free. Or, if you do end up paying for a program, the state will reimburse you after you work a certain number of days at a SNF facility that accepts Medicare/Medicaid...something like that.

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Specializes in Neurosurgery, Long Term Care,.

Sometimes you can get CNA training for free through your local Workforce Development or Unemployment Commision. Another thing is that you can find a nursing home or a hospital that offers a CNA training program. Those programs are usually a lot shorter than the $600 programs. I paid $600 for my CNA training but there were people in my class that were funded by the workforce development and even Social Services. The nursing home job I worked at offered a training program for two weeks and if they hired you, they had to pay for your test because that $675 usually doesn't include your testing fee for your license.

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I paid $875 for my CNA training and it was worth every penny especially if you are just starting out in the field of healthcare like I was.

In PA if you are hired by a nursing home that is mainly funded by medicare and medicaid they have to reimburse you for your tuition costs. Of course you have to work a certain length of time before that happens. Usually they pay you half after 6 months and then the rest after a year. A lot of my classmates got reimbursed but, I didn't because I work in a hospital.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Price seems reasonable and a credit union is a good place to go. It's non-profit and your a member unlike a bank that wants to profit off you. Credit unions usually have better loan terms.

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Specializes in n/a.

Where I am, there aren't many nursing homes that will train you because the state requires 75 classroom hours and 100 clinical hours. That's about what I paid for my course, and mine is one of the cheapest in this area. Mine included everything-tuition, books, state exam... all I had to buy was scrubs. Is it worth it? Well, I can't speak for you... but I really want to be a nurse and any competitive edge I can get for nursing school and finding a job down the road is worth it to me!

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Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.

How long is your wait to get into nursing school? How much difference in pay will you make as a CNA vs an NA or other job? Do you have any place that offers on the job training (the best way to go because it if free and your hours go toward your training and you get paid).

Really, only you can do the math and figure out if it is worth it or not. Keep in mind what you will be paying for your nursing education and how many hours you will be able to work while in school and doing clinicals. While is COULD benefit you in the job market, I know many, many HS graduates that go right into nursing school with no previous medical experience and get hired out of school.

Good luck.

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Price seems reasonable and a credit union is a good place to go. It's non-profit and your a member unlike a bank that wants to profit off you. Credit unions usually have better loan terms.

Reasonable? Wow, I'm glad I don't live where you guys do. At our community college, the CNA program is $72.50. The CNA II program is $90.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Check around for a local LTC facility that has training-----it's free. You will have to work a certain number of hours in exchange. Good luck.

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Have you checked at local community colleges? I don't know where you are, but I paid $250 for mine through community college. Worth every penny. I guess you also have to determine if your future as a nurse or CNA (or whatever else you choose to pursue) is worth the money. Mine is! :)

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Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.

Yes, Yes, Yes!! My daughter received a degree in business administration and racked up over $20,000 in student loan debt (state university & since I am a nurse, we made way too much money for grants). She was unable to find a job in this field. She began taking some classes for the nursing program and took the CNA class for the same price $675 + 50 for the books & she was able to get a job working at the local hospital!! She loves it & I am so proud of her. This was the best thing to have happened to her. Not only is she making about $10/hr (plus they call her all the time to work extras), but she has her foot in the hospital now & is gaining valuable experience!! Good Luck:)

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