Working as a CNA is an extremely rewarding career because you get to help people and feel good about the work that you’re doing in the world. But to become a CNA, you need to learn how to find the best CNA training program that works with the job you plan to pursue. We’ll cover various certified nursing assistant career opportunities, considerations for your CNA training program, key components of your training to ensure you’re getting the best education and certification, and where to find the best CNA training course for your needs.
Certified Nursing Assistant Career Opportunities
Once you obtain your CNA license, a bunch of doors unlock in a medical-based career. Jobs and environments that work well with a CNA certification include:
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals
- Assisted living homes
- Retirement communities
- Home healthcare facilities
- Clinics
- Hospice
- Schools
- Government facilities
- Rehabilitation facilities
If you intend to work in one of these areas, learning how to find the best CNA training program for your needs is crucial.
Considerations for Your CNA Training Program
First things first, to learn how to find the best CNA training program, you need to know your current and future goals and how they correlate. Some considerations include:
- Job requirements
- Career advancement opportunities
- State requirements
- Prerequisite courses
If you plan on advancing in your career later, getting your CNA certification is often the first step. From there, you can easily tack on extra courses as needed. One of the biggest reasons most people get their CNA license is to give them job opportunities that aren’t available until the certification is obtained. Just make sure that the certification you’re trying to take matches the job you are applying for. On top of that, check to make sure that the course meets your state requirements for the position.
A Day in the Life of a CNA: What to Expect in This Rewarding Career
Key Components of Your CNA Certification
Getting your CNA certification takes a good amount of time since programs need to be a minimum length and all the course material needs to be covered within that timeline. As a result, most courses take between 4 and 12 weeks because they break them down into separate pieces. However, there are both virtual and in-person courses, and deciding which one works best is entirely up to you and how you learn. Oftentimes, virtual classes are the easiest for people to enroll in, but you also have to sign up early to ensure you get a spot since they fill up quickly. On top of that, some CNA courses may require in-person sessions to fully get accredited for the program, so be sure to look into your state requirements and job requirements before you enroll.
How Long Does CNA Training Take?
Where to Find the Best CNA Training Program
After learning how to find the best CNA training program, you’re likely ready to move on to the next step: finding and enrolling in a course that matches your goals and needs. Make sure that you’re finding a Red Cross-accredited course that supports your career goals and state requirements, and you’ll be good to go.
If you’re ready to enroll in a course today, HeartCert has great resources and CNA courses available. To find and register for one of our state-certified courses, get started by clicking below.
HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.
Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
