Free CNA Training

Did you know that you may qualify for a scholarship or a grant to help you to pay for your education as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant?  There are grants and scholarships available in every state and you just have to know where to look.

The Department of Health and Human Services sets aside monies to be distributed to colleges and vocational schools with the sole purpose of making C.N.A. training attainable to those who may require financial assistance in the form of scholarship and government grants.  There are also scholarships and grants available via the Department of Education.  You just need to meet the requirements to qualify.  Requirements may vary from state to state but essentially are very similar.

Typically, you will have to fall within a certain income bracket or have your living expenses exceed your means in comparison to your earnings.  Also, you may qualify for assistance if you are unemployed due to losing a job or have had little or no success landing a job.  You must be a legal resident of the United States and in most cases will be required to possess a valid Social Security number.  You will also be asked to produce proof of your current living situation, i.e. your current pay stub and sometimes your last 3, and an itemized list of you your living expenses to show a deficit.  This helps to establish proof of necessity. Males between the ages of 18-25 are urged to register with Selective Service and you must have a High School diploma or a G.E.D., although, depending upon your state, you may be eligible to take a competency test to determine whether or not an education at that particular establishment would be beneficial to you without a H.S. Diploma or G.E.D. and then there is Federal Aid available for obtaining your G.E.D. as well.

Unlike a Student Loan, Scholarships and Grants are money that doesn’t have to be paid back. However, you must maintain your grades and show proof of your progress.  Some states may require that complete a certain number of credit hours or pass an equivalency course geared toward your certificate or degree.

There are several types of federally funded financial aid available.  One of the most common is the Pell Grant.  The Pell Grant has certain requirements that must be met as well and can be very beneficial to a student who requires financial assistance.  You have to check with the Financial Aid Department at the school of your choice to find out if you may qualify for benefits.  The Pell Grant can pay anywhere from $100 – $4000 depending on your course of study and your financial need.  Typically, for the C.N.A., I would assume it would be on the lower end as the C.N.A. program last only 2-3 months and requires a minimum in study aids.

There are several other Federally Funded Grants available and some non-federal as well.  You can check into fafsa.ed.gov on the web to find approved grants and loans for your state and you can always check into your local financial aid office at the school which you plan to attend. Scholarships.com offers a search engine to assist in finding aid specific to your vocational choice and state.

If you want to further your education or are just starting out and hope to find a great career then the C.N.A. program may be the perfect opportunity to help you to become self sufficient.  There is financial aid available in many forms and there are scholarships and grants set aside to help you along your way.  You just need to inquire about the financial aid in your area and get on your way to an exciting new career as a C.N.A.

It is possible to receive free training to become a Certified Nurse’s Assistant due, in part, to the Workforce Investment Act.  You must meet the predetermined qualifications in order to be eligible to access these benefits. For those who meet the requirements for the programs offered the WIA can offer a means to help further an individual’s education.

The Workforce Investment Act was developed by the Federal government and passed under the Clinton Administration in 1998.  The WIA was established to assist the American Citizen to fulfill his or her full potential to become a valued, working member of society.  In short, the WIA was established to ensure that every individual regardless of financial status or situation should be able to have a fair chance at obtaining an education that might otherwise have been out of reach due to the monetary costs associated with pursuing an education.  The WIA was also established in order to ensure that the workforce would have an abundance of adequately trained and qualified workers for hire.  In effect, better qualified workers means a more successful business and a more successful business would eventually stimulate the economy.  People who earn money are able to spend money.

The WIA’s proposed intent is to offer assistance to the unemployed or to those who are employed but have a limited means of income in relation to their living expenses.  The WIA targets to contribute to men and women who may need a form of career or job training in order to assist with finding or holding employment.  Free C.N.A. training can be obtained to those who meet the requirements.

There is an Adult and a Youth Program available.  For the adult program you must be at least 18 years or older. The WIA can offer assistance and training opportunities to those who have lost their jobs or those who are struggling financially and are unable to find employment due to lack of training. The Youth Program allows for an individual to be aged 14 – 21 years.  This program can be beneficial to teenage mothers or those who are currently pregnant and can also be beneficial to young adults and kids who have had a criminal background or to those who come from an underprivileged environment. The WIA also caters to assist at risk young people via job fairs and training opportunities while they are still in high school with the goal of keeping them in school and assisting them to connect to the workforce in an effort to prevent future drop outs.

Basically, the WIA offers aid to anyone who does not have the financial means to obtain an education or training. One of the free training programs offered by the WIA is the C.N.A. program as it is a relatively short training program, typically 2-3 months and touts the prospect of higher pay than a job that offers minimum wage employment at start up.

If you are interested in free C.N.A. training or another type of free certification or job training via the Workforce Investment Act then a good place to start would be the Department of Labor for your state or your local Unemployment Office.  Either of these offices should be able to direct you in your query and offer some information about the programs available to you in your area.

If you aspire to become a certified nurse assistant but feel that you do not have the financial means required for an education, then may want to inquire at your local nursing home or assisted living facility about a different means of assistance.

Many individuals would love to better their financial situation by means of a better education or a higher paying job.  A C.N.A certification can certainly accomplish both goals. However, for some, the probability of meeting these goals can seem further out of reach than a reality.  Times are tough financially and for many people they struggle just to make ends meet and to take care of their families on a day to day basis. There is financial assistance available for you in your state and one of the unlikely sources of this aid may be your local nursing home.

There are several ways to inquire about on the job training programs available for your area.  You can contact the State Department of Health or the State Department of Labor for your state.  These State Departments can provide you with a list of local nursing homes, long term care facilities, hospices and assisted living facilities that participate in on the job training programs.  These facilities are often reimbursed for training expenses by Medicaid.   You can also go online and use a search engine to look for nursing homes in your area to see if any of the facilities in your vicinity participate in any on the job training programs.  Lastly, you can go about it the old fashioned way.  Pick up a phone book and go through the yellow pages to search out local health care facilities. You can call them individually to make your inquiry.  It never hurts to ask and the worst they can say is no and then possibly point you in the right direction.

The facilities who participate in this form of on the job training are usually understaffed and often have a deficit of Certified Nurse Assistants and even Nurses with a surplus of positions that need to be filled.  What the facility will ask from you in return for you free training is that you agree under legal binding contract to work for that particular facility for a set amount of time which is normally a year.   You may not receive your training and then go to work for another facility unless it is in concert with the training facility.

Another perk of on the job training is that you can work while you are training.  Positions may be part time or full time.  Your training will usually range from 4 to 6 weeks in length and is geared at your own pace. While training, you will become well versed in various aspects of basic patient care, such as bed making, feeding, bathing, and how to obtain vital signs.  You will learn how to demonstrate appropriate bedside manner, how to deal with difficult situations regarding residents and even family members, and when and how to report when something isn’t right.  You will be taught how to safely care for your patients and how to keep yourself healthy by performing safe health care practices. These practices will include consistent utilization of universal precautions and of proper body mechanics along with observation of appropriate barrier and bag precautions and regular practice of proper hand washing techniques. You will also learn how to remain within your scope of practice.  A nursing home is an excellent place to become familiar with your basic health care skills as you will use them frequently on a daily basis.

At the end of your training you will be required to pass a state mandated exam which will question you on various areas of your training.  If you have a passing grade, you will receive your certification from the state and can become legally employed as a C.N.A.  Then you will fulfill your contract for your sponsoring employer as a paid C.N.A.

If you are interested in becoming a state certified nurse assistant and are in need of financial assistance, do not discount your local nursing homes and long term care facilities as a means of financial assistance.  There are several programs that are available to you in your state and they are out there for the taking.  All you have to do is take the time to inquire.

Written by Stephanie Dubenezic RN, LPN

The State Board of Nursing is a state governed organization responsible for ensuring the safe practice of working nurses under the Nursing Practice Act.  There is a State Board of Nursing for each state and though their principles may vary to some degree, the sole purpose of the Board is to public protection by means of regulating and enforcing safe practice guidelines.  One of the ways the Board of Nursing provides a safe environment of practice is to ensure that the staff to patient ratio is met.  There is such a shortage of certified nursing assistants and other members of the nursing staff in some areas that the board may offer free C.N.A. and nursing training to ensure that this critical need is met.

If you are seeking free C.N.A. training, then the State Board of Nursing for your state may be an excellent place to begin.  The State Board will generally encompass a list of state accredited programs that may be of assistance to you on your way to becoming a C.N.A.   The State Board not only offers C.N.A. training to those who meet the financial criteria, but they also may provide means of support to those who fail to meet the financial criteria for the free program.

One of the ways the State Board may offer assistance is that the Board can direct you to participating universities and vocational or technical schools that may offer a scholarship program. You must meet financial criteria and qualify academically as well.

The Board may also provide a list of accredited hospitals or that provide on the job training.  You can receive an education by working at the hospital, provided that you sign a contract to work for the facility once your training has been completed and you have been certified.  The work contract is prearranged and specifies that you to retain employment at the facility for a particular amount of time following your certification as a C.N.A.

The State Board of Nursing can also provide you with the appropriate channels to follow to apply for government aid by means of a grant or work program.  You must again fall into a specific financial category to obtain this means of assistance.

The State Board of Nursing may offer other means of assistance for you to receive financial assistance in addition to those afore mentioned.  You should contact your local State Board of Nursing to find out which programs may be available for you in your state.  If possible, make an appointment to meet with someone at the State Board of Nursing to discuss which types of assistance you may be qualified to receive.  Find out in advance what you need to bring with you as you may be asked to bring proof of your current financial situation.

The State Board of Nursing is primarily funded by the monies received from board members and all forms of nursing staff by means of licensure renewal payments and other financial expenses regarding licensure and law as mandated by the Nursing Practice Act.  In addition to these funds, the State Board may also receive a small amount of support from the U.S. government by which to provide financial assistance to those in need.  On occasion, the State Board may also offer direct assistance and can waive the fees required for C.N.A. training courses if the financial criterion is met.  Anyone in need should be made aware of the financial resources available for the betterment of their lives.

The State Board of Nursing for your state may offer different programs than those mentioned above.  You should contact the State Board of Nursing for the state in which you reside to find out which programs are available to you in your home state.  If you are in need of assistance to attend an accredited C.N.A. program and you feel that you may be qualified to receive financial aid to help you to obtain an education, then the State Board of Nursing may be able to point you in the right direction and move you one step closer to meeting your goal of becoming a certified nurse assistant at little or no cost to you.  All you have to do is check it out.

Written by Stephanie Dubenezic RN, LPN

There are many individuals who may feel defeated by circumstance.  The promise of a higher paying job and the ability to reach one’s full potential just doesn’t seem possible due to surmounting financial burden.  Many people are living from paycheck to paycheck while simply trying to care for themselves or their families.  Taking time off of work to attend classes and pursue a certification for a career as a Certified Nurse Assistant doesn’t seem tangible.  However, if you meet certain criteria, you may be able to obtain free CNA training via Job Corps.

Job Corps is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor.  Job Corps offers occupational training for a number of diverse career paths  including, masonry, carpentry, automotive repair, heavy equipment operations, computer tech training, medical assistant training and training for the C.N.A. as well.  Job Corp can even help you to obtain your G.E.D. in the event that you didn’t graduate from high school.  To qualify for Job Corp assistance you need only be 16 – 24 years of age, you must be a citizen of the U.S. or a legal U.S. resident, and you must meet the low income requirements as defined by the Job Corps for your state.

The way Job Corps works is to provide instruction through an education center where the student will reside until that training iscompleted.  Most students reside within the dorms of the center during training but there are instances where an individual may commute from home. The details of a commute would have to be confirmed through admissions counselor for the Job Corps in your state.  Typically, a student will be directed to the Job Corps facility nearest their home.  If you choose to live in the center at Job Corps you will reside in a shared space with up to 7 roommates.  There are separate male and female dormitories.  Children are allowed and child care is offered as well.  All of the assistance is at no cost to you.  Depending upon the length of your training and which career option you choose, Job Corps recommends that you reside at the center up to a full year to receive the full knowledge and societal benefit needed to achieve success.  You will have to speak to counselor at your training facility to find out what this means for your career choice, specifically.  You are free to leave the program at any time.

There are some other notable benefits offered by Job Corps as well.   Job Corps will actually pay you a modest living allowance while you are attending classes.  Apparently, as you progress in your training, your living allowance will increase as well.  By doing this, they relieve the financial burden from the student to allow them to focus solely on their career training.

There are some rules to follow while residing at Job Corps.  There is a modest dress code that must be followed and you may even be required to wear a uniform during your training hours.  If this is the case, Job Corps will provide a uniform for you.  If you are in pursuit of C.N.A. training you will most likely be required to wear scrubs in a clinical setting.

The C.N.A. training program through job Corps lasts about 8 – 12 weeks but training is provided at your own pace.    At the end of your C.N.A training, you will receive a nationally recognized certificate of completion.  You must then pass a state licensure exam to receive your certification.  Job Corps can even assist you in finding a place of employment at the end of your training.

If you are interested in a achieving a C.N.A. certification but feel you may not have the resources to get yourself started, then Job Corps may be a viable option for you.  You can go to the Job Corps website at www.jobcorps.gov and click on locations to find a Job Corps closest to you or you can request an information packet through the website.

Written by Stephanie Dubenezic RN, LPN