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Do you want to become a certified nursing assistant? Have you been wondering about the types of educational options you have as an aspiring CNA? If so, we are here to help! There are several training options available to prospective nursing assistants, and we will examine the most popular options here.
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Online Colleges and Universities
Today, more and more people are choosing to obtain their CNA training from online colleges and universities. This is a terrific option for you if you have other obligations in your life such as a job or family. If you choose this educational option, you can enjoy the following benefits.
- Study at Your Own Pace
- Study When and Where You Want
- Avoid Traffic Going to and from a Campus
- Review Difficult Material as Often as You Wish
- Easy Access to Help with Difficult Assignments
Community Colleges
A popular educational option for aspiring CNAs is attending a local community college. If you choose this option, you will likely need to complete what is known as a core curriculum before you enter the CNA program. A core curriculum consists of various general education courses that must be completed prior to beginning any certificate or degree program offered by the school.
Core curriculum coursework varies depending on such factors as the school you choose, prior credits earned, and the scores you receive on your placement exams. While these courses may differ depending on these factors, some common courses included in most core curricula are:
- English Composition
- Humanities or Fine Arts
- Introduction to Sociology
- Introductory Psychology
- Introduction to Computers
- Oral or Written Communications
- College Algebra or Statistics
- General Biology or Chemistry
Trade Schools
Another popular training option for people who want to become CNAs is enrolling in a trade school. Trade schools are great in that they do not generally require students to complete a core curriculum before entering their programs of choice. As such, you can complete a CNA program offered by a trade school much quicker than you could if you were to obtain your training from a community college.
The American Red Cross
Many American Red Cross chapters all across the country offer low-cost or free training for prospective CNAs. However, to obtain this type of training, in most cases, you may need to provide proof of financial need. In some cases, you may also need to commit to serving a set amount of volunteer hours for the organization.
On-the-Job Training
Another educational option for aspiring CNAs is obtaining on-the-job training. Many hospitals and nursing homes offer this type of training for people who want to become certified nursing assistants. This training is offered on the condition that nursing assistants take the CNA exam and earn their certification within a certain time frame set by the employer.
Conclusion
If you want to become a CNA, you have several educational options, including enrolling in a local community college, trade school, or an online training center.
