Free CNA Training

The Displaced Homemakers’ Program doesn’t get a lot of attention, so it’s very likely that you haven’t heard of it. If you are a mother looking for free CNA training, this may be the best news you’ve heard in a long time. Not everyone will qualify for free CNA training through the Displaced Homemakers’ Program, and not every State offers it. Read the following information to find out the details.

CNA Training: What is The Displaced Homemakers’ Program?

The Displaced Homemakers Program was started to help women who have been abandoned or left alone to raise their children. The reason they are considered displaced is because they were previously homemakers or “stay at home moms.” After they were left, abandoned (or widowed), these mothers find themselves in an extremely difficult situation. They have a clear lack of employable skills and are therefore unable to find gainful employment. To assist women in this situation, certain States have adopted a Displaced Homemaker Program and some will fund certain types of education, such as CNA training classes, secretarial training, phlebotomy, legal assistant training and more. Generally, the training they fund involves certifications that can be obtained quickly, such as CNA training, which is usually a 6-12 week course.

Along with offering education, like free CNA training, the Displaced Homemakers’ Program also often offers assistance with resumes, computer classes, uniforms and work clothing, classes about finances and budgeting, as well as mental health counseling. The counseling is often geared toward dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, and building self esteem. You have to figure, this is often invaluable, since some of the women were abandoned or were involved in mentally, emotionally or even physically abusive situations. The free CNA training provides the necessary skills for a new career and also helps with boosting confidence and building self esteem.

The programs are hugely popular with States, since they literally help hundreds of thousands of women get off of public assistance, which ends up saving the State millions of dollars each year. New York, for example, has 22 Displaced Homemaker Centers which saves the State more than $4 million dollars each year.

Requirements For Free CNA Training Through the Displaced Homemakers Program

Although each State will have its own requirements, most of them are very similar. A few of the requirements we’ve seen from State to State include the following:

• 35 years of age or older
• Have been a stay-at-home parent or spouse providing unpaid household services for family members
• Have been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by this income
• Are not currently gainfully employed

Does My State Offer Free CNA Training?

A quick Google search of your State and the phrase Displaced Homemaker Program will help you determine whether your State provides this type of help or not.

You can also call the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, the Agency for Workforce, or the Department of Education’s Division of Community Colleges in your area. If your State doesn’t offer free CNA training through the Displaced Homemakers Programs, ask them if they know of any other State funded or local programs that provide free CNA training.

2011 was a stellar year for CNA training. According to statistics by the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the need for professionals in the medical field, especially those with CNA training, is greater than ever. On January 1, 2011 the first wave of the Baby Boomer generation officially turned 65 years old, the largest group of seniors to hit our population of all time. Because of the increase in the senior population, which will continue for the next two decades, the need for Certified Nursing Assistants with the proper CNA training will continue to grow.

Have you been considering CNA training so that you too can join the ranks of those in this rewarding field? Each year we bring you the latest information on CNA training. We scout out the best schools, warn you of CNA training scams, and make you aware of changes in certification laws, standards, and new avenues that have opened up for education, such as online.

For those of you who are interested in free CNA training, we’re going to cover that for you today. If you’ve bothered to Google the phrase “free CNA training,” you’ve probably met up with quite a few dead ends. Most websites don’t report the latest CNA training information, and very few of them are aware of free CNA training.

Free CNA Training – As Reported in 2011

Last year we provided you with information on free CNA training provided by the Red Cross. This is still a good first step for you. Contact your local branch to inquire about the medical courses they offer.

The second avenue we covered last year was Job Corps. If you are unfamiliar with Job Corps, they are an organization designed to assist at risk young adults, helping them to further themselves by providing free room and board while training them for a rewarding career. Your local Job Corps is another place to inquire for free CNA training. The only downfall that might hinder an individual from pursuing their training this way is due to the fact that there are age limitations, plus most of the time students are required to reside on campus.

Free CNA Training – New for 2012

Above, we provided a recap of two of the most promising ways to receive free CNA training as reported by us last year.

Here are a few new resources for CNA training that we’ve discovered for 2012. Although we believe this information to be true and reliable, please check with the appropriate sources to get all the details:

Free CNA Training

• Mary Immaculate Hospital of Newport Virginia – This Catholic hospital sponsors promising CNA students and provides free CNA training. Once the student has completed their CNA, they must sign a contract to work for their facility for 6-12 months. To see if they are currently accepting new applicants, contact the hospital directly (757) 886-6000.

• Live in Dallas, Texas? The Dallas County School Districts offers free CNA training to parents and family members of students in their district. Questions should be directed to the Dallas County Technical Center (417) 752-3491.

Most of the other information you will find online regarding free CNA training is simply just not true. Be wary of websites that promise free online courses, then charge you for part of the materials or guarantee that you will pass your certification. These are generally scams.

For the latest CNA training information, continue to follow our blog.

Help With Your CNA Training

CNAs are in high demand, so there are many types of financial aid available for those who to complete this training. A great place to begin looking for help paying for your CNA training is the financial aid department of your school. Many times, the individuals who work in this department can easily help you find scholarships and grants that may cover part or all of your CNA training cost.

Here are just a few of the grants and scholarships available that you may be able to take advantage of.

Scholarships and Grants Available for CNA Training

• Workforce Investment Act- The workforce investment act (WIA) was created specifically to help individuals obtain employment. If you have been unemployed for quite a while and are interested in earning your CNA certification, you may be able to visit your nearest workforce office and apply for CNA training. If you qualify under this act, you will be able to obtain training for free.

• Opportunity Grants- If you are not eligible for financial aid, you may still be able to qualify for CNA training grants. While the eligibility for these grants varies depending on where you live, most of the grants require you to have a low income and attend training at a community college. The financial aid office at your community college will be able to assist you in determining if this type of grant is available and if you qualify for this free money.

• Disability Grants- If you are disabled, visit your local workforce office to see if you qualify for a disability grant. Many states offer this type of grant for CNA training to those who are disabled and can not afford training on their own.

• Brooks Dean Memorial Scholarship- The Arizona Medical Training Institute offers Arizona residents with low income the ability to undergo CNA training. In order to qualify, you must live in Arizona and be willing to work as a CNA after your training is complete.

• US Department of Health and Human Services- The US Department of Health and Human Services works with over a hundred universities and colleges to provide financial aid to those who wish to begin their CNA training.

• Employers- Many employers who employ CNAs offer tuition assistance or scholarships to those who wish to complete their CNA training. Often, these employers will provide help with tuition to employees who work for them or to individuals who are willing to sign a contract committing to work for the medical institution for a particular length of time after they have completed their training.

If you cannot afford to begin your CNA training, don’t give up hope. With the right grants, scholarships, and financial aid, you will have your CNA training behind you before you know it.

Workforce Investment Act and CNA Training

In 1998, our government passed a law known as the Workforce Investment Act, or WIA. This law was intended to help individuals obtain the right type of training and education they needed to find suitable jobs. One of the many career education opportunities associated with this type of career is CNA training.

Under the WIA, two types of programs are available, one for adults and one for youth. These programs are restricted, however, and are only available for those who meet the following criteria.

• Unemployed
• Low income
• No job skills
• Have tried to find employment, but have been unsuccessful due to lack of job skills

Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding the criteria for WIA, so it may differ from the above mentioned. For instance, some states will provide CNA training to those who are already employed.

Adult CNA Training Programs through Workforce Investment Act

If your state and county has a prominent need for CNAs, you may be able to find CNA training through the Workforce Investment Act. With the adult program, you must meet the following requirements before you will be eligible for CNA training.

• You must be 18 years old or older
• You must be unemployed or working in a job with no future
• You must have little to no income

Other related struggles in your life may be related to obtaining free CNA training. For instance, assistance may be offered to displaced homemakers, single mothers, and those who have been accused of a crime.

Youth Programs through Workforce Investment Act

The Workforce Investment Act also provides assistant to underprivileged youth. This includes CNA training for youth who have finished high school and do not have the opportunity, money, or education to successfully find employment.

In order to qualify for free CNA training or other employment training opportunities through the Workforce Investment Act, you must be between the ages of 14 and 21. Special circumstances, such as pregnant youth, young mothers, high school drop outs, and children with special needs may also help you qualify for this type of free CNA training and other types of training for employment.

If you are looking for free training for your career, but you don’t have the money to get on the right track, consider looking in the Workforce Investment Act. This law helps those who are underprivileged and need assistant getting back up on their feet after being laid off or suffering through hardships. With the right CNA training through the WIA, you can begin your career and look forward to a bright new future.

Are you looking for free CNA training? If so, you’re not alone. For many, the decision to go back to school to pursue a new career comes after financial hardship or a difficult economy. In many cases there are individuals who have decided to try and fill the void in the communities for qualified certified nursing assistants and nurses. This can be a difficult task when finances are tight and many are seeking free CNA training to help get them on their path to a medical career.

Where to Find Free CNA Training

There are several avenues you can take when looking for free CNA training in your community. One of the most likely ways to find assistance is by talking with your local State Board of Nursing. They can likely give you some excellent information by way of comprehensive listings of local assistance for your courses.

Scholarship Programs Provide Free CNA Training

There are many scholarship opportunities available at the local colleges and technical schools. These scholarships are often based on a financial criteria being met by the applicant and the appropriate dynamics being scored to those individuals. If you fit the criteria you will be able to obtain free CNA training to start your career off on the right foot.

Work Programs for Free CNA Training

The State Board of Nursing can provide interested individuals a list of hospitals and medical facilities that participate in work programs for your education. By working in the facility you can earn your CNA training and your certification. For some facilities if you are drawing a regular pay check and agree to sign a contract to work for them for a set amount of time after your certification your education will be paid for by the facility. This is a terrific way to get your foot in the door at the same time as earning your certification.

State Board of Nursing Available Funds for Free CNA Training

In addition to being able to direct interested individuals to potential free CNA training resources, the State Board of Nursing may have funds allocated to help a certain number of students reach their educational goals by way of grants or scholarships. Not all State Boards of Nursing will have these funds available and you will need to inquire with your local branch for further information as to what they can offer you for help toward your educational goals.

Obtaining free CNA training is not impossible. In fact, thanks to a shortage of qualified professionals in many communities there are new programs developing every day to help get those who are unable to manage the expenses trained and out in the field as soon as possible. Finding the right program for you is a matter of reaching out to your State Board of Nursing for help. Following their instructions on where to look for free CNA training can be just the ticket to your new and rewarding career.

Free CNA Training for the Current Student

Dual enrollment has always been available, although it’s never been more popular than today. Forward thinking, career minded high school students have more opportunities than ever before now that dual enrollment has become more common.

If you are a high school student and already have the career goal of becoming a certified nursing assistant, you can get a free ride if your local university or community college offers a CNA training program.

What Are the Qualifications for Dual Enrollment?

You’ll need to check with your school counselor, but generally, the qualifications for dual enrollment rest completely on your current grade point average. For example, if you are a junior in high school and hold a 3.5 grade point average, all you need to do is to take your final grades over to your community college as proof that you qualify for dual enrollment. From that point, you will register for the classes of your choice, which in your case will be a certified nursing assistant training program. Your high school will allow the training program to be a substitution for one or more of your current high school classes and you will attend the training course free of charge. You’ll also be allowed to leave the school grounds in order to attend your college classes and return to your high school to complete the rest of your normal coursework. If the CNA training classes are offered in the evening, it will make it even more convenient for you, since you won’t have to break up your high school day at all.

Dual enrollment is, of course, only offered to high school students, but if you fall into this category, dual enrolling and getting free CNA training while still in school can give you a huge advantage. You’ll basically be graduating from high school with your CNA training already behind you and you’ll be ready to enter the work force right out of school.

Free CNA Training for Disadvantaged and Single Moms

If you are a single parent or fall into a certain financial or income category, you may also qualify for free CNA training by applying for a government grant through the FAFSA program. Although it’s been around for a long time, many individuals don’t check into it or take advantage of it. The FAFSA program will pay 100% of your education or vocational training and there is no repayment on your part, since it is a government grant. If your community college doesn’t have a CNA training program, try checking out the vocational schools. FAFSA also offers grants for many of them.

We hope this information has helped you in your search for free CNA training as you embark on your new career.

The answer to this question isn’t quite as easy, since it will depend on your individual high school, along with the state laws governing CNA training courses. If CNA training is allowed in your high school, it will be considered a Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO) or Dual Enrollment. If your particular school and state do offer the option of certified nursing assistant training, here are the steps you’ll need to take in order to enroll.

Are You Ready for CNA Training Classes?

First of all, you’ll need to decide if CNA training is right for you. A CNA is trained to provide patients with hands on basic care during their entire shift. Whether you are employed in a hospital center, an adult care facility, a rehabilitation center, or a specialized hospital or center (such as Hospice), you’ll still be providing many of the same duties. What is hands on basic care? These are the duties necessary for a patient to experience a normal quality of life. Basic care can include bathing, toileting assistance, grooming, dressing, feeding, oral care, and sometimes rehabilitative help, such as range of motion exercises.

If you are not the type of individual who enjoys providing hands on assistance, or if you think you would be queasy if helping a patient with toileting or grooming, then a career as a nursing assistance may not be for you. Also consider that most CNAs are in charge of several patients at once, so there is a degree of multi-tasking involved. If these all sound like tasks you’d be interested in, your next step is to make an appointment with your school counselor.

Steps to PSEO or Dual Enrollment for the CNA Training Course

• Talk to your high school guidance counselor and check to see if your school offers post secondary education options or dual enrollment and how to go about pursuing your nursing assistant certification.
• One of the requirements for dual enrollment is a certain grade point average that you must maintain throughout high school. Generally, it’s about a 3.5. You’ll have to prove that you are able to handle your high school classes along with the demanding amount of studying you will be doing for a college level CNA training class.
• Next, make an appointment with a college administrator to learn the requirements and plan your enrollment.  The CNA training class consists of classroom time as well as hands on training and clinical experience.

What Are the Advantages of Dual Enrollment or PSEO? Free CNA Training!

The reason most high school students make the decision to dual enroll is because training is free for any post secondary education option for the entire time the student is in high school. That means you can receive your complete CNA training while in high school for free. If you already are sure this is the career for you, dual enrollment is a smart choice that can get you the CNA training you are looking for, free of charge!

Becoming a certified nursing assistance can be your gateway into the rewarding field of health care. More than just another “job,” a career as a CNA involves working with patients to provide their basic daily needs while also lending emotional support and encouragement.

If you are already working in a hospital or other medical facility and have the desire to obtain your certification as a nursing assistant, free CNA training might be closer than you think.

Read the following tips and advice to find out if you’ve got what it takes to earn free CNA training from your employer.

Free CNA Training from Your Employer

Working in a medical facility as a front desk or hospital admissions clerk, kitchen staff, or other non-medical position can actually give you an advantage if you are looking for free CNA training. Before approaching the issue, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you put in at least 6 months in your current position?
• Have you experienced positive feedback about your current position?
• Have you proven to be team oriented, working for the better overall good of every staff member, regardless of who gets the credit?
• Have you been proactive in your position, looking for ways to improve your performance?
• Have you been on time and ready to work every day that you’ve been scheduled?
• Have you offered to fill in for others when possible, proving to be a valuable staff member?

If you can answer yes to most of these questions, you are a perfect candidate to approach your employer about free CNA training opportunities within your medical facility.

How to Approach Your Employer about Free CNA Training

Approaching your employer or direct supervisor may seem intimidating at first thought. When you fully consider the big picture of what you are doing, I’m sure you won’t feel the same level of apprehension. Yes, you are ultimately asking for free CNA training at the expense of your employer. So, realistically, you are asking them to make an investment in you. Why would your employer be willing to do this?

Simple, because if you sincerely do possess the qualities that were outlined in the bullet points above, you are a valuable part of the medical staff, and will be even more valuable to your medical facility if you are being used to give their patients the highest level of care.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a certified nursing assistant is a highly valued position. The need for qualified CNAs is expected to rise at a steady level over the next decade. Since you’ve already proven yourself to your health care facility, your supervisor, and your peers, they will be wise to invest in your education. Larger companies generally have no problem providing training for their best staff members. It’s a win/win situation. They fulfill a need and desire that you have, and you are providing them with a faithful, well trained, proactive staff member, who will continue to work with them for years to come.

When approaching your supervisor, go ahead and set up a personal one-on-one appointment. During the meeting, voice your desire to move into the position of certified nursing assistant. Let them know you have a strong desire to help others and feel that a CNA position would fulfill this desire. By giving your employer a well thought out plan that doesn’t sound like a fleeting thought, you’ll be much more likely to be taken seriously.

Once your supervisor realizes that CNA training is something you’ve fully weighed out in your mind, chances are good that your company will either place you in an in-house training program (if they offer one), or will find training for you. Your classes will either be completely free of charge for you, or your employer may work on a “reimbursement program.” With this option, you’ll pay the CNA training program costs up front and will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the CNA training. This is an excellent incentive for you to do well.

We hope this article has your wheels turning. If you are reading this article and have firsthand experience with free CNA training through your employer, please leave a comment and let us know how it worked out for you!

What is Job Corps and How Can They Help With My CNA Training?

Job Corps was founded by the US Department of Labor, specifically to provide young men and women with the education they need to embark on a new and rewarding career. Job Corps offers training in over 100 career areas. CNA Training is one of the programs on their schedule.

Each year Job Corps provides technical and career training to over 100,000 eligible students, and assists with job placement, resumes, and interview skills after the CNA Training has been completed.

What Else Does Job Corps Help With?

In order to become a certified nursing assistant, you are first required to have a high school diploma, or the equivalent. If life seems overwhelming (maybe you’ve dropped out of school due to circumstances beyond your control) and you don’t see how you will ever reach your goal to become a certified nursing assistant, here’s what else Job Corps offers:

• Help with earning your high school diploma or GED
• Certified Nursing Assistant training classes
• Free housing, meals, health care, and even a living allowance while on living campus
• Assistance with job placement and transition into the work force

Is CNA Training through Job Corps For You?

Job Corps is designed especially for individuals who fall within certain age and income guidelines. Ideally, Job Corps can help highly motivated individuals reach career goals who may be struggling with a lack of finances which would otherwise prevent them from attending a college, even if they had a grant.

Sometimes, due to life circumstances, receiving a government grant to a local college isn’t even enough. If you are without proper transportation or housing, a free pass to college can still seem like an unreachable goal. The wonderful thing about Job Corps is the fact that they provide free housing and technical career training to individuals between the ages of 16 and 24. If you didn’t finish high school, and need to earn your GED before proceeding to your CNA Training Classes, that’s ok, Job Corps will assist you with this as well.

How to Apply for FREE CNA Training Classes through Job Corps

Check the Job Corps website to find a location near you. Give them a call and they will be happy to provide you with all the details about their Certified Nursing Assistant training classes. There are about three Job Corps Campuses in every state, so you should have no trouble finding one. If the Job Corps in your state happens to be located right in your city or town, you can even live at home, off campus, and commute back and forth for your CNA Training Classes.

We hope this article on obtaining free CNA training has been helpful. If you’ve had any experience with Job Corps, or are a graduate from the Job Corps CNA Training Class, please leave us a comment and tell us about your experience!

While the Red Cross CNA classes remain popular, they simply don’t have enough locations or classes to accommodate all those looking to become nurse assistants. This has led to increasing enrollment in online certification programs. Fortunately, there are excellent online alternatives to the Red Cross CNA training, including free CNA training online.

A nursing assistant’s tasks may include bathing and dressing up their patients, helping patients turn in bed to avoid bedsores, conducting a patient’s exerce routine, feeding a patient, changing sheets and cleaning patients rooms. With the CNA’s heavy responsibilities on the job, is taking up an Online Certified Nursing Assistant Program enough to prepare students for the tough job ahead, or is on-campus learning still a better choice?

Advantages

Taking up your classes online gives a lot of benefits for busy students like you. For one, online certified nursing assistant program schedules are extra flexible; they can be taken anytime since the learning process is asynchronous (a student doesn’t have to be online in the same time with a professor’s web cast) and you can take things at your own pace. What’s more beneficial is that a student can actually cut or extend his total training hours depending on how he handles activities, which is good for students aiming to graduate as soon as possible. This feature is only unique to these certain types of programs. Another advantage would be that being online provides an infinite source of information for students on all that medical research their curriculum would require from them.

Disadvantages

Although the benefits of being online seem too great for students, there are also great disadvantages to being a student of an online certified nursing assistant program. For one, direct interaction between the professor and student rarely take place, since online learning follows asynchronous processes. This means that any clarification for lectures might take some time to be resolved. Although online CNA programs promote the use of forums for inquiries, people do not always contribute the right information. Another major flaw in the program is that seventy percent of the students that graduate from it perform less well on the field than students coming from Universities that follow the traditional On-Campus training. Federal nurse aide training regulations require students to have a total of fifty hours of lessons and theories, and a total of a hundred hours on the field training.

In light on all of this, it really just depends on the student on which he thinks he can perform well. Hardworking busybodies should take up online programs like these for the extra flexible schedule, while students who are already used to campus training should stick to it. After all, nothing beats the experiences you get out of being a university student.

As you consider your options for CNA training, be sure to keep in mind the pro’s and con’s. That said, however you get your certificate, you will have achieved a major accomplishment and will be well on your way to one of the most rewarding careers anyone can have!