The demand in the United States for certified nursing assistants is high. According to the Department of Labor, tens of thousands of jobs will open each year for qualified nurse aides, making this a popular field with good job security. While most CNA programs can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, residents of New York City have many choices for free CNA training. Read on to learn how to apply for free certified nursing aide programs.
Basic Requirements for CNA Training in NYC
To enroll in nurse aide education, there are some basic requirements, but they might not be as difficult as you'd think:
- age 18 or older
- no felonies on criminal record
- able to lift 40 pounds or more (managing patients, helping to lift them)
- able to read and write English at a 6th grade level
- legally able to work in the United States
- compassionate attitude toward patients
You don't have to be perfectly fluent in English, and you can find some some CNA training in Spanish and other languages if your English is strong enough for daily life, but you want your native language for classroom work.
Some programs require a high school diploma or GED, but some do not. Read on to learn about specific nurse aide classes and ask those programs about the high school diploma or GED requirement. In some cases, the same centers that offer free CNA courses offer GED prep classes as well.
What Will I Learn With CNA Certification?
In order to become a certified nursing assistant, training involves:
- 75 hours or more of classwork
- 45 hours or more of hands-on patient care
- passing a state CNA certification exam
All of the programs for free nurse aide certification classes are accredited programs that will prepare you fully to sit for the New York State CNA certification exam.
Free CNA Training in New York City
These free CNA programs are available to anyone who qualifies, though there may be long waiting lists for some. Always call or go to the program websites to contact enrollment specialists to get started. Success is only possible if you research and act on every opportunity, both those listed below and any free CNA training you see in newspaper listings, in website promotions, or at job fairs.
To get started, contact these programs:
- Bronx Educational Training Center – this center is part of the State University of New York system, and offers completely tuition-free medical assistant training. In addition, you can receive free GED and pre-GED training and EMT training as well. For more information call 718-530-7000.
- New York City Department of Education – The Office of Education and Continuing Education for the NYC Department of Education offers completely free CNA certification classes in all five boroughs. To learn more about certified nursing assistant course locations and how to enroll, go to the free CNA training website, choose your language, then find the center closest to you and call.
- Workforce1 Grants - if your household income is under $56,000, you may qualify for a Workforce1 grant that pays for all nurse aide training. You need to become a member of Workforce1 (membership is free) and follow the grant application guidelines for certified nursing assistant education. Call the Healthcare Career Center at 718-609-2144 to ask about CNA training grants.
The next step is yours for getting healthcare career training an starting a new career. CNA jobs are plentiful right now, as hospitals and nursing homes need qualified nursing assistants. Search for all the opportunities available to you and act on them to start training for an entry-level position in the medical field.
To learn more about free CNA training and home health aide certification as well, please read the following articles:
Free CNA Training – looking for nurse aide certification outside of NYC? Read on for more information.
Online CNA Classes – don't have time to go to campus or a health careers training center? Take online CNA training.
Free Home Health Aide Training – instead of a CNA, have you considered becoming an HHA? Homecare workers are in high demand, and free HHA classes are easier to find.
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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