Paying Fee to become a CNA

ERNurse752, RN · Oct 13, 2004

Check with your local hospitals. Most hospitals in my area have their own classes to train people to do CNA-like duties, only they call them something else. Usually called Patient Care Tech, Patient Support Partner, Nurse Tech, etc.

They pay for it since they're employing you. And they'll probably want to employ you since you're enrolling in nursing school!

No, I don't think it's worth it to pay $650 out of your pocket.

Good luck!

2151 · Oct 13, 2004

i am going to school to become a LPN and i was going to get my cna also i didnt know that it cost that much??? the school that i am going to is going to give me a class in that first for now that much money!!! were do you live????? that is a crazy price

----danielle------

Sweetpea00 · Oct 13, 2004

i am going to school to become a LPN and i was going to get my cna also i didnt know that it cost that much??? the school that i am going to is going to give me a class in that first for now that much money!!! were do you live????? that is a crazy price
----danielle------

I live in Birmingham, Alabama....There are two different class that I actually found for this fee..one was online( a program you finish at your own pace usually within 6 weeks) and the other class was with this company called Nursing Assistant Solutions it was a 3 week class in the city I live.

2151 · Oct 13, 2004

I live in Birmingham, Alabama....There are two different class that I actually found for this fee..one was online( a program you finish at your own pace usually within 6 weeks) and the other class was with this company called Nursing Assistant Solutions it was a 3 week class in the city I live.

wow! i live in newburgh new york and when i go to class for my LPN the are going to give me the class for free!!! with the LPN training..... are you going for you LPN too? how do you like working in the health field so far? i find it to be very rewarding?

------danielle--------

Rachel2004RN · Oct 13, 2004

I live in Birmingham, Alabama....There are two different class that I actually found for this fee..one was online( a program you finish at your own pace usually within 6 weeks) and the other class was with this company called Nursing Assistant Solutions it was a 3 week class in the city I live.

Hi-

I strongly suggest you avoid taking an online CNA course. Find a hands on course that will provide you with patient care practice if possible. Keep in mind that wherever you take your training classes, you will need to take a state certification exam to become certified. You will recieve a written test and a practical skills test.

Many nursing homes offer free nursing assistant training upon hire. (some require a commitment). Also, see if there is a Red Cross in your area--as they offer CNA classes in some locations. Community Colleges do, too. $650 seems like an awful lot to pay. I have run a nursing assistant website for quite a while and you may find some useful information there:

www.NursingAssistantCentral.com

Good luck!

Maggie in NC · Oct 13, 2004

HECK NO DON'T PAY!! My goodness that's ALOT of $!

I paid $80 at a community college. By the time I bought my uniforms, insurance, and my shots, it was about $300 total (including books). Check out hospitals and community colleges before you spend that kind of money. Even at the tech school it's $400 BUT that includes shots, books, uniforms, insurances, AND 14 college credits in nutrition, A&P, and I can't remember what else.

Good luck!

EmilyCCRN · Oct 13, 2004

I agree with everyone else - that seems awfully high for a CNA course. Since you're interested in CNA training so you can work in the field while attending nursing school, find out if your program offers the option of obtaining your CNA license at the end of your first term. We can obtain our CNA license for $45 as soon as we pass this term. I live in Oregon, so I only know about my state (and school), but I thought I would mention it just in case it's the same for your area. :)

kristylee · Oct 13, 2004

I took my CNA class at a community college and it only cost me a little over $100 dollars. I also had the same thought of being a CNA so it could allow me the flexibility to go to nursing school. It is a low paying job, but some places will pay a little more and I've seen it up to $10.75 which is still kibbles n bits, but hey, you have to survive somehow while making it through nursing school. :)

oregonrene · Oct 14, 2004

CNA programs here in Portland OR cost around $650 + supplies. It's usually an 8 week program - 75 class hours and 75 clinical hours. I know some hospitals will pay for people to do the program in exchange for a work committment.

I'm not a CNA, nor am I planning to go through the program, but a lot of people do.

oregonrene · Oct 14, 2004

I agree with everyone else - that seems awfully high for a CNA course. Since you're interested in CNA training so you can work in the field while attending nursing school, find out if your program offers the option of obtaining your CNA license at the end of your first term. We can obtain our CNA license for $45 as soon as we pass this term. I live in Oregon, so I only know about my state (and school), but I thought I would mention it just in case it's the same for your area. :)

Emilyerin, what school are you at?

ENCHANTEDRN2B · Oct 14, 2004

WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL FOR MY CNA LAST TERM, I TOOK THE CLASS AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN NEW MEXICO AND THE CLASS WAS LESS THEN $50.00 AND THEN AT THE END OF THE CLASS, I TOOKTHE STATE EXAM, THE WRITTEN PORTION OF THE TEST COSTED $55.00 AND THE SKILLS PORTION OF THE EXAM COSTED $45.00

Does anyone think it's worth paying 650.00 to become a CNA when they only make about 8.00/hour....I'm going to be enrolling in nursing school next year, so I was thinking the only flexible job I could work and complete nursing school would be a CNA...but I feel like this is a lot of money for such a low paying job.