4 Free and Low-Cost Online CNA Courses with Certificates of Completion
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide basic care to patients and help them with the necessary tasks of daily life, and if you want to work in healthcare, becoming a CNA can help you get started. This path requires much less time and money than obtaining a registered nurse (RN) license. Below, learn what it takes to become a CNA and browse a list of free and affordable online CNA courses with certificates.
What is a CNA?
CNAs provide care to patients and assist them with daily activities. These professionals may work in hospitals, residential care facilities, or other healthcare settings. They work under the supervision of a licensed nursing staff.
While job duties may vary, typical duties of a CNA may include:
Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, grooming, or toileting Monitoring vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate Serving meals and assisting patients with eating Turning or repositioning bedridden patients Transporting patients or transferring them to and from wheelchairs and beds Recording information and reporting to nursing staff Answering patient calls Stocking supplies Carrying out wound care Assisting with medical procedures
If you’re ready for a CNA career, get started with the free and low-cost online CNA courses listed below.
Consider These Free Online CNA Courses with Certificates
Start your CNA career for free with one of these free certificate courses.
Ballard Health
Certificate Name: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program – Online Hybrid Program
Program Length: 60 hours of coursework and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience, Classes are offered Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm
Certificate Overview: Ballad Health’s curriculum meets state and federal requirements and focuses on bedside patient care with an emphasis on long-term care and geriatrics. Classes are delivered online, but learners can complete on-site lab and clinical experiences in Tennessee. Students must purchase scrubs, but other than that, the program is free.
To qualify for the program, you must be at least 17 years old, complete a background check and comply with Ballard Health vaccination policy. You must also hold a high school diploma or GED certificate, or be within six months of high school graduation.
Procareer Academy
Certificate Name: Certified Nursing Assistant Program Length: Six Weeks Certificate Overview: Procareer Academy's online CNA course offers live weekday evening classes and in-person weekend clinical hours in Whittier and Escondido, California.
Approved by the California Department of Public Health, this course is designed to prepare students to take the California CNA exam. Content covers patient rights, patient care skills, emergency procedures, and death and dying.
Cal Grants allow some learners to take this course for free. To qualify, applicants must agree to work as a CNA for an employer for at least one year after graduation.
Low-Cost CNA Courses and Certificates
While free CNA courses that come with certificates may be hard to come by, you can still find many low-cost options. Check out these affordable courses.
Udemy
Certificate Name: Home Health Aide, Nurse Assistant, Caregiver CertificationCourse Cost: $89.99, often discountedCourse Length: Self-PacedCertificate Overview: Udemy's courses can help you learn the basics of home health care and caring for children and the elderly, mentally ill, and disabled. Other topics include CPR, basic anatomy, nutrition, and meal preparation. You get lifetime access to 68 articles, one-hour videos, and 19 downloadable resources.
The course consists of 10 modules, and completion of the course earns you a certificate of completion and a 30-day money-back guarantee. No prerequisites.
American River College
Certificate Name: Certified Nursing AssistantCost: $552 (in-state)Course Length: About three and a half monthsCertificate Overview: American River College's CNA certificate course can help you gain the basic nursing skills you need to work as a certified nursing assistant. The curriculum includes 86 hours of classroom theory, 9 hours of skills lab practice, and more than 100 clinical hours. American River College is located in Sacramento, California.
To participate in the program, you must meet regulatory requirements of the California Department of Public Health, including passing a criminal background check and providing proof of vaccinations. You must also pass a medical terminology course (with a grade of at least C), which you can complete before or during the program.
Conclusion: Act now and start your CNA journey
With the growing demand for healthcare professionals, especially CNAs, now is a great time to get certified. As the healthcare system continues to evolve and the need for qualified caregivers continues to grow, taking advantage of these free and low-cost training opportunities can lead to a rewarding and stable career as a certified nursing assistant.