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The 16 Best Schools & Universities Offering CNA Programs

In the United States, over a hundred schools are offering Certified Nursing Assistant programs due to the inflating demand of nurses and the constant need of low-cost and fast-track education. With so many schools to choose from, running down to community colleges, private institutions up to the most reputable universities, you do not know for sure how great their CNA programs are.

Top CNA schools

However, based on the latest surveys conducted in 2012, sixteen schools in the United States were hailed as the Top CNA schools. Here are the sixteen schools (arranged in alphabetical order):

BAKER COLLEGE ONLINE

In the advent of the internet and the tough competition in the career market, many working people and busy parents are opting for an online course that can get them to land a substantial-paying job, such as CNA training programs. Baker College Online offers the best flexible online CNA training course at an affordable rate.

DEVRY UNIVERSITY

DeVry University also offers a high-caliber CNA training program that has been gaining popularity in many areas in the United States due to its good reputation in producing competent CNAs. What makes them special is that despite the short training course, students are given the chance to have a hands-on training on operating basic and even advanced medical devices that most CNAs lack knowledge of.

DUKE UNIVERSITY

Duke University’s edge among other CNA training programs is their CNA Home Health Care Chronic Disease Prevention Program that incorporates fundamental knowledge on chronic disease management to the usual course work of CNA training programs. This empowers CNAs to have a more active part in caring for their patients, and can equip them with additional knowledge that can be of great value to them if they wish to advance to a LPN, RN or even a MSN degree.

JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

One of the longest standing schools that offer a reputable CNA training program is the John Hopkins University. The CNA training program is proven and tested by time to produce great results and successful graduates. Furthermore, the training program is assured to be up to date to the latest trends in CNA education.

KAPLAN UNIVERSITY

Kaplan University offers a competitive online CNA training course at a very affordable rate. Kaplan is popular even outside the United States due to its highly regarded online training programs with easy to understand modules and a flexi-time schedule.

KEISER UNIVERSITY

Keiser University is known for its great CNA training program both online and traditional campus classes. The training course is kept up to date, easily understandable and concise, and at an affordable rate than most competitors.

OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

The Oregon Health and Science University offers a wide variety of nursing programs that befits many interested students with varying educational backgrounds. Their CNA training program is hailed to be of good quality, and is very flexible in catering students. OHSU has a very considerate nursing curriculum that also offers bridge programs to help interested individuals to pursue a career in nursing.

SOUTH UNIVERSITY

South University has many branches in different locations in the United States. They also offer one of the best CNA training programs in the US that can be taken either through traditional campus classes, or through online classes. Their online CNA training course includes not only virtual classes, but also hands-on training experience for required basic nursing skills.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

According to the US News and the World Report, the University of Washington has been awarded as having the best nursing program in the United States since 1984. Up to this day, the University of Washington has maintained the same quality of education, even better, with more advanced technology and only the best staff to hold their top of the line CNA training program.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

In 2003 up to 2006, the University of California was ranked as the number one school with the best nursing program in the United States. Now, with 9 notches down, the University of California is equipped with a comprehensive CNA training program that helped them to snag a spot within the top 10 of the list.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

The University of Michigan has one of the best CNA training programs offered at an affordable rate compared to other programs across the United States. Their CNA program can both help students pass the certification exam successfully, and even aid them to land a job thereafter with their assistance.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA

The University of North Carolina has a wide array of accredited nursing programs, including a short but comprehensive CNA training course. They also offer bridge programs to help CNAs pursue a degree in LPN, BSN, or ultimately as RNs with specialization fields.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

The University of Pennsylvania has one of the most advanced CNA training programs in the United States. They hold simulated practical classes for their CNAs to help them have a hands-on experience with realistic mannequins that respond like real live patients. The simulated classes serve as a supplement to the usual class lectures and related learning experience in the actual medical field.

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

The University of Phoenix offers both online and traditional CNA training programs that are proven to produce great and efficient CNAs equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills in terms of nursing care.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

If you wish to get your CNA training for free, the University of Pittsburgh offers a paid CNA training program that can be completed in as short as three to four weeks. The paid training, however, compensates for the time you will be working in their partnered nursing home institution, the Institute of Aging, after completion of the program. You also have the option to pay for the training at an affordable rate if you wish to work elsewhere.

YALE UNIVERSITY

Yale University, one of the most prestigious universities worldwide, offers an accredited online CNA training program. Its school of nursing boasts for producing great nurses and budding CNAs. Their online CNA program is bulked with comprehensive materials to endow CNAs with the best nursing knowledge and skills and help prepare them for the certification exam thereafter.

The schools stated above can help you narrow down your choices in choosing the most suitable CNA school for you. In choosing the best school for your CNA program, you must consider many factors. One great consideration that must be given priority is to see whether or not the school’s CNA program is duly accredited by the right authorities. This is to ensure that the program they offer meets quality standards and the certification you get afterwards is authentic.

All the sixteen schools listed above are good schools to get a CNA certification. The bottom line is, choose a school which you feel most comfortable with and which you think has the most efficient CNA program. The best CNA school, however, is highly subjective, thus only you will know which is the best CNA school for you.