CNA Training in Indiana

CNA training can provide you with the basic nursing care skills you need to work in a variety of different health care settings throughout Indiana. Finding the right CNA training in Indiana, however, isn’t always easy. Especially if you can’t afford to pay for the courses and need to locate free CNA training.

While it may be hard to find, free training is available in the Hoosier state for those who need it. In the following article we will discuss some of the locations within the state you can obtain training at little to no cost to you.

Free CNA Training in Indiana

• High School- In Indiana, many of the public schools offer free CNA training programs to students while they are still in high school. If you attend a public school that provides career training programs, you can complete CNA training for free and be ready for your new career as soon as you graduate.
• Golden Living Center- Located in Elkhart, this facility provides free CNA training to individuals who are able to pass a drug screening and background check. Once you complete your CNA training, you will be expected work at the facility for a certain period of time. For more information, please feel free to contact them at 574-293-0364.
• Primeway Institute- If you live in or around Indianapolis and are searching for free CNA training, consider contacting the Primeway Institute at 317-926-2610. This school partners with various nursing homes and health agencies in the Marion County area and will be able to help you find free CNA training through these partner facilities. If you apply directly for training at the institute, you will be responsible for the entire tuition, so please be sure to contact them and apply through a partner facility if you wish to receive CNA training at no cost.
• Scholarships- In Indianapolis, the Indiana Department of Public Health Fund provides scholarships to individuals who wish to become CNAs. Funds are also provided to cover the cost of the state exam and certification fees. For more information, please inquire about the scholarships at your local Department of Human Services.
• Work 101- If you are unemployed or have little income, consider contacting Work 101 at 317-375-2700 and asking about an acceleration grant. This grant will help you obtain your CNA training for free and get you started in your new and exciting career as soon as possible.
• St Vincent- As one of the best hospitals in Indianapolis, everyone turns to St. Vincent for health care. However, you may also find they are extremely helpful in assisting you with finding free training to become a nursing assistant. In order to qualify for free training, however, you must have a high school diploma, a clean background check, and agree to work for them for a certain period of time after you complete your training.

Locate Free CNA Training in Indiana

Do you want to start your new career in the Hoosier state, but can’t afford the tuition for CNA courses? Don’t let it get you down. Consider these options and find free CNA training near you.

 Did you know that many nursing schools these days actually require you to undergo CNA training before you can even apply for enrollment? It’s true. And while you may never have considered taking CNA training before, now is the time to sit down and seriously think about the advantages this type of program will provide you before you head off to nursing school.

Advantages of CNA Training Before Nursing School

• Satisfy Prerequisite Requirements- If your nursing school requires you to complete CNA training before enrollment, doing so is, of course, important to furthering your career and gaining the experience you need before school.
• Stand Out- Even if your nursing school does not require you to complete CNA training, it may be a good idea anyway. Nursing schools are competitive, and prior training can provide you with a leg up on the competition. The nursing school will see you are committed to working in the health care field, are prepared to begin your training as a nurse, and have valuable experience under your belt.
• Knowledge- When you take CNA training, you will learn a number of skills that are essential for working in the nursing field. You will learn how to bathe patients, dress them, take and record vital signs, implement range of motion exercise, and help patients perform everyday activities. These skills will help you become a better nurse and make it easier for you to succeed in your coursework during school.
• Development of Nursing Skills- Aside from the regular skills you will learn how to perform in CNA training, you will also learn a number of valuable nursing skills while you are on the job, like proper bedside manner and how to work well with others on your healthcare team. You will also come to respect the ‘grunt’ work done by nursing assistants after CNA training and will appreciate them more when you become a nurse.
• Experience- Working as a nursing assistant after CNA training can help you gain the experience you need to determine whether or not you really want to work in the health care field as a nurse. You will have the opportunity to observe nurses in a variety of health care settings, like nursing homes, home health, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and hospice. This will allow you to see what tasks the nurses perform daily and determine if you are truly interested in doing the same.
• Funding Your Degree- While not all health care facilities offer a sponsorship program, some facilities will provide you with the opportunity to attend a CNA training program and nursing school at no cost to you if you can show a commitment to that particular facility. Most require at least a 6 month work commitment before they will fund your CNA training, and up to a 5 year work commitment and prior work with the facility as a CNA before they will cover your nursing school tuition.

 Take Advantage of CNA Training Before Nursing School

If you want to become a nurse, make sure you have the experience and requirements you need. Complete CNA training first.

 CNA training is one of the only practical ways to obtain job security in this day and age. For other careers, job security seems to be an illusive target, always out of reach even for those who work the hardest.

For clarification purposes, let me stress for a moment that the type of job security I am referring to isn’t contractual. You aren’t going to walk into a nursing home and be given a guarantee that you will still be employed in that same facility six months from now. In reality, the job security I’m referring to is in the practical sense. For instance, you may not be working in the same facility six months from now, but that doesn’t mean other facilities won’t scoop you up as quickly as you turn in your job application.

So, why does CNA training provide you with this type of job security? Let’s take a look.

Job Security After CNA Training

It’s no secret that the economy has been in the toilet for the past few years. It is getting harder and harder for the unemployed to find jobs, and the employed are struggling to keep the ones they have. This is because in rough economic times, certain career fields tend to shed workers in an effort to save money. Employees also have to deal with pay cuts, layoffs, and furloughs in other fields because there isn’t as much demand for the product or service their field provides.

And this makes sense. Economic down-times often result in individuals making less money, so they spend less as a result. They reserve the money they do have for necessities, rather than frivolities.

So, why does CNA training offer job security? Because one of those necessities is health care. Everyone gets sick, babies are still born every day, everyone grows older, and patients still need someone to care for them. Undergoing CNA training means you will most likely always have a job waiting for you somewhere. It may not be in the area where you live, but if you are willing to go where employment is available, you will have the job security you want in even the toughest economic times.

Another practical reason for job security after CNA training is the demand for CNAs all over the country. As the population ages, more and more CNAs are needed to care for them, and unfortunately, there is a significant shortage in the individuals who respond to this call for action. This is most likely because taking CNA training isn’t for everyone. It’s a hard job to do, and requires individuals who have a caring heart and are willing to go the extra mile to provide the best care possible. Undergoing CNA training also requires respect for others and patience, two skills many individuals do not possess.

CNA Training Can Provide You With Job Security

If you want to job security, make sure you are entering a career in the right field. It must be able to survive tough economic times and be in demand in order to provide you with the most practical security possible. If you love caring for others and want this type of security, CNA training may be the best option for you.

Have you ever considered taking CNA training? If you live in the Natural State and are considering a change in careers, CNA training may be the perfect option for you, and it doesn’t take much time at all. In fact, you can earn your CNA license in as little as a week in some areas, and the majority of CNA training classes don’t last more than a few months.

While the amount of time it takes to enter this area of the health care field may be an exciting enough reason to check it out, it isn’t the only perk available to residents of Arkansas. This job is also in high demand, providing you with fantastic job security and excellent pay. On top of that, many locations in Arkansas will also allow you to undergo CNA training at absolutely no cost to you.

Interested? Consider the following locations where you can obtain free CNA training in the Natural State.

Free CNA Training in Arkansas

• ADH In-Home Health and Hospice- Located in Little Rock, this health department provides free week-long CNA classes to individuals who wish to become nursing aids. Students can take these classes at any health department in the state after registration. You may contact them at 501-661-2951.
• Petra Allied Health- This program provides Arkansas residents with free CNA training on a sponsorship level. In other words, the program will pay for your tuition, but in return you must agree to work with one of their partner nursing homes once you complete your training. Contact them by phone at 479-750-9876.
• Ozark Medical Center- This nursing home and hospital helps aspiring CNAs complete their CNA training with a two week course. After the course is completed, CNAs must work for the hospital for three weeks. Once they do so, the center will pay for the CNAs to take their state test and become licensed in Arkansas. You may contact them at 501-745-7000 for more information.
• Woodland Hills Healthcare and Rehab- This nursing home and rehabilitation center in Jacksonville pays for students to complete CNA courses and follow their dreams. However, they only provide this free training to individuals with clean background checks. In order to qualify, you must pay $22 to have a background check done. If you fail the check, you will not receive your money back and will be unable to qualify for training through this facility. For more information, please call 501-241-2191.
• Cabot Nursing and Rehab- If you live in or around Cabot and have a clean background, consider taking advantage of the free CNA training offered by this facility. Before you can be enrolled in the courses, you must pay $20 for a background check and pass it successfully. Other requirements may have to be met as well, so be sure to contact them at 501-843-6181.
• Cabot Manor Nursing Home- If you live in Cabot and are willing to work for Cabot Manor Nursing Home for a certain amount of time after you complete your training, you may be able to receive free CNA training through this facility. Contact the nursing home at 501-843-6181 for a list of requirements and to find out if you will need to pay for any expenses out of your own pocket.

 Obtain Free CNA Training in Arkansas

Looking for free training to become a CNA in Arkansas? No problem. If you know where to look, you can always find free CNA training.

There are many aspects of a CNA’s job description you will learn about during CNA training. For many CNAs, employment is completely hands-on; they work with patients directly in an effort to provide them with the care they need for daily life. For others who have completed CNA training, duties in the workplace may vary with a mixture of hands-on tasks like feeding, bathing, or taking vital signs and office-related duties like answering phones, filing, and making copies.

While CNA training mainly focuses on teaching you how to perform direct-care duties, it is important to understand how to handle other tasks you may be required to perform while on the job. In the following article, we will discuss a few of the office-related duties you may be asked to do and how to perform them correctly.

Continued CNA Training: Handling Office Tasks

Answering Phones

It seems simple, right? The phone rings, you answer it, you respond politely to the caller, and you take a message. Unfortunately, even the simplest tasks can be difficult if you don’t know what you are doing after CNA training.

Before you pick up that phone, consider these tips.

• In some nursing homes, those who have undergone CNA training are required to answer the phone if it rings and no nurse is present to answer it. Your workplace may have this rule as well, however, you should never leave a resident unattended to answer a phone. If you are busy, let someone else get it.
• If you do need to answer the phone after CNA training, either because you are not busy with a resident or you work in a doctor’s office and it is part of your job description, answer it as quickly as possible. Don’t keep the caller waiting; you never know if you are dealing with an emergency.
• When you answer the phone after CNA training, identify your location, give your name, and make an offer to assist the person. For instance, you may say, “Hello, Dr. Peterson’s Office, this is Angela speaking. How may I help you today?”
• If the caller wants to talk about a patient, write down the information given, but do not provide the caller with any information he or she is not authorized to know.
• If the caller needs to speak to someone who is not available at the moment, always ask to take a message. Write it down, and ask for the caller’s name, phone number, and a description of what the caller needs. If it’s an emergency, locate the person the caller needs immediately. If not, simply make sure the individual receives the message as soon as possible.

Copying and Filing After CNA Training

Handling patient files may be one of the tasks you are expected to perform after CNA training, and it must done with the utmost of care. Whether the files are on a computer or in print, they hold confidential information about a patient’s medical and personal history that you must take steps to protect. Here are just a few tips for ensuring the safety of this information.

• Never leave any files out in the open where they can be picked up and looked through by anyone passing by. If they aren’t put away, make sure they are by your side at all times. The same can be said for computer records. When you are away from the computer, you should lock the screen so anyone wishing to use the computer must enter a password first.
• Information on a patient’s medical situation is provided to CNAs after CNA training on a need-to-know basis. So, if you don’t need to know it, don’t go snooping for it. This violates your patient’s right to privacy.
• If you do happen to see something in a file while you are filing or making copies, keep it to yourself. It shouldn’t be part of the latest gossip in the break room.
• After CNA training, never provide anyone with a patient’s medical info, a file, or a copy of any records who is not authorized to know the information. If a family member, nurse, or even a doctor asks for a patient’s records, speak to your head nurse and make sure it is okay.

After CNA training, you will be expected to perform a variety of duties on the job. Whether you need to perform direct-care for patients or office-related tasks, make sure you know how to do so correctly after CNA training.

If you’re looking into CNA training and considering a career as a certified nursing assistant, it’s important to think about all the duties that are involved. There’s more to being a CNA than just changing bedding and taking vital signs. Some of the duties of a certified nursing assistant are not for those with a weak stomach. It would be a shame to go through the expense and time commitment of CNA training just to find out you don’t have what it takes to do the job. Read through the following information and ask yourself, “Can I actually do these things day after day?”

CNA Training – Not So Pleasant Duties of a CNA

Just as with the job itself, the duties of a CNA varies with the position. Below we’ve created a list with the not-so-pleasant duties of a CNA according to work environment or facility.

Hospital  - CNA training will help you learn the basics you’ll be responsible for in a hospital. Some of the less desirable duties include:

• Changing bed pans
• Cleaning vomit, blood, or other body fluids
• Applying medicine or ointment to burns or stitches
• Witnessing and dealing with emergency situations, car accident victims, and other types of trauma.

Hospice - Hospice isn’t for everyone. Along with your CNA training, there are plenty of things you’ll have to learn to work with Hospice. You’ll quickly learn that death is just a part of life and you’ll need to be able to deal with death comfortably. Here are some other things you’ll be dealing with when working with Hospice:

• Patient fears.
• Recognizing the signs of death, explaining the signs of death to parents and loved ones.
• Dealing with the final stages of life, including release of bodily fluids.
• Announcing the death of the patient to loved ones.
• After life care, clean up, transporting of deceased.

Nursing Home – Working with the aged is a challenge for many. Although CNA training will help get you ready for nursing home work, you may not be prepared for the issues involved with nursing home work. Some of the unpleasant aspects include:

• Smells
• Patient or resident dementia. Sometimes mood swings in patients and elderly residents can be difficult to deal with. It takes a special type of person, and much more than you will initially learn from your CNA training.

CNA Training – Considering the Required Duties

You’ll also need to deal with difficult or emergency situations from time to time. The ability to keep a cool head, assess situations, and respond correctly is key.

To be a certified nursing assistant, it will take a very particular type of individual. You’ll certainly learn much of what you’ll need to know during your CNA training, but the day to day things you’ll be required to deal with are sometimes difficult.  Be sure to carefully consider the possible unpleasant side of your new nursing assistant job before making the commitment.

For more information on CNA training or careers, remember to follow our blog.

Are you thinking about CNA training? Before you commit to a career as a CNA, you’ll want to consider the following insider information. We’ve talked to several CNA’s, listened to their praise as well as the things that frustrate them about CNA training as well as the career itself. After compiling the information we came up with the down and dirty of CNA career information.

CNA Training – Inside Information

• Laina, a CNA training graduate who completed her training almost two years ago had this to say about her CNA training. “I completed my training at an adult education center. I have to say that I was concerned with the quality of training, since the classes were cheap and the CNA training only lasted six weeks. I was worried that I wouldn’t come out with the skills necessary for a CNA career. These concerns were completely false. Not only was the CNA training informative and professional, but the RN who taught the class had been a practicing RN, working with CNA’s for over ten years. She really helped us by giving us the “down and dirty.” She taught us how to deal with problems we might encounter on the job, like understaffing, stress, dealing with aggressive behavior from staff and patients.

• Tanya, a recent CNA training graduate who took her classes at the local community college talked to us about her CNA training. “I didn’t have the money for CNA training so a counselor at the community college advised me to apply for a government grant through FAFSA, which I did. I was approved for a full grant, so my CNA training was completely free. The training was on point and the hands on experience was very good. The only thing I would have liked would be job placement. I still haven’t secured employment. There were over 50 students graduating at the same time, and our town is relatively small. Right now, there aren’t any openings anywhere. If I could do it differently, I would definitely place more weight on job placement than I would any other part of the CNA training.

CNA Training Graduates – Your New Career

As a CNA training graduate, you’re now ready for your new career. Yes, it will be rewarding, both financially and because of the fact that you’ll be adding value to another person’s life. Here’s a few statements and some advice about your new career as a CNA from CNA training graduates.

• “You’ve got to have a lot of self discipline to be a nursing assistant. It’s run, run, run, all day long. You’re usually overworked, short staffed, and have to become a professional multi-tasker. If you’re a mother, you’ve probably already got that part down pat!” — Laina, CNA Allentown, PA
• “There’s a lot of gossip that goes on. If you get with the wrong facility, it can suck the life out of you. You have to be determined to have a positive attitude right from the beginning and don’t get involved in the drama.” –Sherry, CNA Tampa, Florida

We hope this little insights will help you as you decide whether CNA training is for you!

Are you looking for CNA training in Michigan, but unsure how you’re going to finance your schooling? Most states, including Michigan, offer free CNA training classes, if you take the time to investigate. We’ve done the legwork for you and have listed nursing homes and health care facilities that may offer free CNA training below.

Free CNA Training From the Red Cross

The Michigan Red Cross CNA training course is part of the No Worker Left Behind Act.  If you earn less than $40,000 at your current position, you can qualify for free CNA training offered at the Detroit Michigan Branch of the American Red Cross.

Free CNA Training Through FAFSA

FAFSA is a federal grant offered by the government and can provide you with funds to pay for your CNA training. Depending on your income and other criteria, you may be eligible for 100% of your CNA training courtesy of a government grant. You’ll have to attend a CNA training program at a community or state college to be covered by a grant. There are also a few adult education programs covered by FAFSA grants. There is a drop down menu on the FAFSA website that provides the information you’ll need when looking for other educational institutions that can be covered under the grant.

Free CNA Training for those on Unemployment

If you are currently unemployed, your unemployment office offers a job placement program  that can help you find CNA training at either low cost or no cost. Along with checking with your unemployment office, you also may find free CNA training through a nursing home. Nursing homes often offer free training in exchange for working for a contracted period of time with the facility.

Arnold Home – 18520 W Seven Mile Rd   Detroit, Michigan

Ashley Care Center – Po Box 127   Ashley, Michigan

Autumn Woods Residential Hlth – 29800 Hoover Rd   Warren, Michigan

Ausable Valley Community – “1390 Maple Drive, Box 9?   Fairview, Michigan

Autumnwood Of Deckerville – 3387 Ella St   Deckerville, Michigan

Birchwood Nursing Center – 2950 Lafranier Rd   Traverse City, Michigan

Beverly Hills Nursing Center – 3030 Greenfield Ave   Royal Oak, Michigan

Bloomfield Hills Nsg Center – 50 West Square Lake Road   Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Bishop Noa Home For Senior Cit – 2900 Third Avenue South   Escanaba, Michigan

Lakeland Specialty Hospital – 6418 Deans Hill Rd   Berrien Center, Michigan

Lake Orion Nursing Center – 585 E Flint St Po Box 129   Lake Orion, Michigan

Lakeland Center (The) – 26900 Franklin Road   Southfield, Michigan

Lakeland Continuing Care Ctr-S – 3425 Lake Shore Dr   Saint Joseph, Michigan

Lakepointe Villa – 37700 Harper Ave   Clinton Township, Michigan

Northfield Place – 8633 N Main St   Whitmore Lake, Michigan

Northland Nursing Center – 21630 Hessel   Detroit, Michigan

Northwest Continuing Care Cent – 16181 Hubbell St   Detroit, Michigan

Oakpointe Villa Nursing Centre – 18901 Meyers Rd   Detroit, Michigan

Oakview Medical Care Facility – 1000 Diana St   Ludington, Michigan

Tendercare Midland – 4900 Hedgewood Dr   Midland, Michigan

Tendercare Mt Pleasant – 1524 Portabella Rd   Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Tendercare Of Ludington – 1000 E Tinkham Ave   Ludington, Michigan

The nursing homes listed above may offer free CNA training. Be sure to contact the human resources department.

For more CNA training and career information, continue to follow our website.

Where do you plan on working after you complete your CNA training? In a nursing home? In an assisted living facility? Perhaps in a daycare setting or a doctor’s office? There are dozens of different types of facilities you can choose from, but none of them provide you with the opportunity to see and care for your patient twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Except one.

Becoming a live-in CNA after CNA training isn’t for everyone. It takes commitment to the job and to the patient that many nursing assistants don’t have. Think you’re up for the task? If so, consider the following tips on what you should know before you become a live-in aide.

Tips on Working as a Live-in CNA After CNA Training

• It Isn’t For Everyone- If CNA training taught you anything, it’s that this job is not for everyone. This statement is even more true for the live-in CNA. If you have a husband, a dog, and children at home, you aren’t going to want to leave them to live with a patient on a permanent basis. This type of employment is for those who can make a commitment to the patient and who don’t have families they can’t leave behind.
• Time May Vary- While many live-in CNA positions you will come across after CNA training will require you to move in with a patient and care for them seven days a week, this is not always the case. Some positions will only require you to live with the patient three or four days of the week. During the remaining days, you may still be allowed to live in the house, but you will receive time off from your daily tasks. However, there may be positions that require you to live with a patient only a few days a week and will not allow you to live in the same house the remaining days. This means you will have to rent or purchase a home elsewhere for your days off.
• Always On Call- While you will most likely be given a day or two ‘off,’ even when living with your patient after CNA training, you will always be on call and available in case of an emergency. If you plan on taking a vacation or spending the weekend with your family in another state, you will need to provide the agency you work with or your patient with enough notice so they can locate your replacement for that time.
• Daily Tasks- Because you live with your patient, your daily tasks may vary. You may be responsible for preparing meals, doing laundry, light housekeeping, and grocery shopping, as well as the normal duties you learned in CNA training, like bathing, dressing, and feeding your patient.
• Boundaries are Essential- Living with your patient after CNA training is just like living with anyone else; there’s going to be frustrating times, miscommunication, and even a few arguments. Don’t let it get the best of you. Sit down with your patient when you first move in and agree to certain boundaries. While you share a space and you are employed by the individual, your personal items and area should be your own.

 Become a Live-in CNA After CNA Training

Working as a live-in CNA after CNA training is much different than working in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility. It will be your responsibility to care for the patient, after CNA training, each and every day and ensure his health and safety.

 Have you ever considered taking CNA training courses? If you enjoy the thought of helping others, have a big heart, and aren’t afraid of hard work, CNA training may be the right choice for you.

Once you are determined to take CNA training courses, your next step should be figuring out how you are going to pay for them. Because of the great demand for CNAs, this step is made easy with the numerous grant programs and scholarships available to help you pay for school. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the financial assistance opportunities you can take advantage of to help you fulfill your dreams of working in the health care field as a nursing assistant.

Grants and Scholarships for CNA Training

• Workforce Investment Act- The workforce investment act was established to give individuals just like you the chance of obtaining employment during tough economic times when jobs are scarce. Through this grant program, you may be able to take CNA training at absolutely no cost to you, and you won’t need to ever repay the money used for your training. In order to qualify, you must visit your local workforce office and fill out an application. In most cases, you must demonstrate financial need and have been unemployed for a significant amount of time in order to receive financial aid through the grant.
• Opportunity Grant- While eligibility differs from state to state, you may be able to qualify for an Opportunity grant if you are unable to receive any other type of financial assistance for your CNA training. Eligibility is based on income level and the location your training will take place. Most often, those who plan on attending CNA classes at a community college are more likely to qualify for the grant.
• Brooks Dean Memorial Scholarship- If you plan on attending CNA training in Arizona and are able to demonstrate financial need, you could qualify for this scholarship. Upon receiving the scholarship, however, you must promise to work as a certified nursing assistant in the state after you complete your training.
• Robert McRae Scholarship- This scholarship was developed in an effort to assist CNAs with their continued education. If you qualify, you could receive up to $300 to help pay for your CNA training, and $500 to assist with nursing school tuition. To qualify, you must live in Kansas, be employed in a senior care facility in Miami or Johnson County, provide letters of recommendation, and be enrolled in either a CNA training program or nursing school.

Reduce the Cost of CNA Training

To learn more about other scholarships and grants you may qualify for, speak to the financial aid office of your CNA school. There are many different options available to you, including assistance from federal, state, and public and private organizations, that can help you live your dreams and start a new and rewarding career in the health care field. These scholarships and grants can help you greatly reduce or completely eliminate the cost of your CNA training.