Certified Nursing Assistants are the lifeblood of the nursing team. They are the eyes and ears of nurses and physicians, observing patients for changes in their physical or mental health that could be an indication of a serious condition. CNAs perform routine tasks related to the personal care and comfort of patients in long-term care facilities. They perform their duties under the direction of a licensed nurse. Basic duties include bathing and dressing patients, measuring and recording vital signs, assisting with personal hygiene, positioning and turning bedridden patients, answering call lights, and providing social and emotional support to patients.
While nurse assisting is rewarding as a lifelong profession for some, it may just be a stepping stone to other careers on the healthcare ladder. Many CNAs continue along the educational pathway and enroll in nursing programs to become a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. Certification as a nurse aide provides an edge to applicants seeking enrollment in competitive nursing programs. Demand for nurse aides is projected to grow 11% in the next decade. Employment opportunities are available in hospitals, physician offices, and home health care, but by far the greatest opportunities are available in long-term care.
Valley Vocational Academy
The nursing assistant program offered by Valley Vocational Academy prepares students for employment in just 4 weeks. The program features include expert instruction, small class sizes, affordable tuition, clean classrooms and labs, free practice sessions for the skills exam, and free retake of the exam. Topics covered include safety and emergency procedures, infection control, communication and interpersonal skills, basic nursing skills, mental health and social service needs, respecting resident rights, bathing, grooming, and dressing, basic restorative services, care of cognitively impaired residents, and end of life care. Daytime, evening, and weekend schedules are available. Daytime classes meet Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm for two weeks and Monday through Thursday from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm for the clinicals in the third week. Online classes may be available.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 16 years or older
- Provide proof of US citizenship or legal residency
- Take and pass the admissions test to demonstrate proficiency in English language, reading, and math
- Must have no active felony in the past 3 years
- Complete a background check for participating in the clinical externship
- Obtain medical clearance from a healthcare provider
- Obtain a negative TB test or chest x-ray – results must not be longer than 6 months
The program tuition of $1,335 includes the textbook and workbook, stethoscope, uniform top, TB test by serum, use of blood pressure cuff and gait belt, and discount for CPR training through Heart Savers. Students must cover the cost for uniform pants, watch with a second hand, State Board exam, drug test, and medical exam.
- Website: https://www.valleyvocational.com/
- Address: 1845 E. Broadway Road Suite 114, Tempe, Arizona 85282
- Phone: (480) 247-9388
Arizona Medical Training Institute
The nurse aide program at AMTI is designed for those who are new to healthcare or adults looking to add to years of experience. The fast-paced course includes instruction in the classroom and clinical activities in a long-term care facility. The curriculum requires completion of 86 hours of theory and hands-on practice and 40 hours of clinical work. Areas of study include introduction to healthcare, job seeking skills, basic nursing skills, basic psychology, physiology, and infection. Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the AZ State Board of Nursing exam.
Admission criteria:
- Have no active Felony in the past 3 years
- Take the CNA/LNA admissions test in English, reading comprehension, and math
- Complete the AMTI Health Declaration Form
- Complete the Voluntary Assumption of Risk – Release of Liability Form
- Pass a TB test or submit prior results no older than 6 months
- Have a current CPR certification – Healthcare Provider Level, Basic Life Support
- Pass a background check and obtain a negative drug screen
- Provide a copy of an Arizona Driver’s License or Passport
The program cost of $1,335 includes the use of a textbook, stethoscope, uniform top, and use of class supplies. A discount for CPR training through Heart Savers is available. Additional costs include State Board exam, drug screen, and fingerprint background fee.
- Website: https://arizonamedicaltraininginstitute.com/programs/certified-nursing-assistant-licensed-nursing-assistant/
- Address: 1530 N Country Club Dr #11, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Phone: 480-835-7679
- Email: info@azmti.com
GateWay Community College
The Nurse Aide program at GateWay Community College leads to a Certificate of Completion. The curriculum combines classroom instruction and clinical lab practice followed by real-world experiences in a long-term care facility. The training will cover an introduction to the role of the nursing assistant, basic problem solving, therapeutic communication skills, interventions to ensure the needs and safety of clients, principles of nutrition and fluid balance, special needs of clients in the acute and long-term care settings, basic emergency care skills and procedures, and end of life care. Program graduates will be eligible to take the written and practical state exam for certification by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Admission criteria:
- Obtain a grade C or better in the RDG reading course
- Provide current level one DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Pass an MCCD background check
- Obtain a negative urine drug screen
- Submit the required health and safety documentation
- Have a high school diploma or GED
Tuition for the program is $1,196 for in-county students.
- Website: https://www.gatewaycc.edu/nurse-assisting
- Address: 108 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
- Phone: (602) 286-8000
Star Canyon School of Nursing
The nursing assistant class at Star Canyon School of Nursing seeks to produce caring professionals capable of providing excellent and ethical care to patients in acute and long-term care settings. Course content includes medical terminology, basic physiology, psychology, dementia, communication, personal care and grooming, infection control, patients’ rights and independence, safety and emergency, and restorative treatments. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the state exam to become a CNA/LNA. Day, evening, and weekend classes. New classes begin every month.
Admission criteria:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be able to communicate clearly
- Have the physical capacity to perform the duties of a nurse aide
- Must have no felony convictions in the last 3 years
- Must have CPR or First Aid certification
The tuition includes the use of the textbook. A payment plan is available for eligible students.
- Website: http://starcanyonschoolofnursing.com/
- Address: 8900 N. Central Avenue, Suite 107, Phoenix, AZ 85020
- Phone: 602-935-6628
- Fax: 602-943-0864
Academic Training AZ
The CNA program at Academic Training AZ operates with the full approval of the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN). The curriculum covers 120 hours of theory and practical instruction including time in a skilled nursing facility. Students will acquire fundamental skills related to the duties of a nurse aide to work competently in hospitals, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and nursing homes. Successful completion of the program requires the attendance of all the scheduled classes and achievement of the 80% or higher on the final exam. Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to take the state exam. The school offers small class sizes, comfortable classrooms, fully equipped labs, and knowledgeable instructors. The duration of the program is 6 weeks. Classes meet Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Provide a valid driver’s license or ID and social security card
- Pay the registration fee of $500
- Applicants who are 17 years of age may apply with parental consent
- Provide a copy of in-process Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Must be able to read, write, and speak in English
- Must have current CPR BLS and First Aid
- Submit a negative TV skin test not older than 9 months
- Take and pass the entrance exam – comprehension, arithmetic, and analog time
Tuition for the program is $1125. Additional costs for textbooks, CPR, uniform, and supplies must be covered by the student.
- Website: https://academictrainingaz.com/
- Address: 8751 N. 51st Ave. Ste 102 Glendale, AZ 85302
- Phone: (602) 350-5154
Medstar Academy
Medstar Academy’s Certified Nursing Assistant Training program prepares adults for entry-level employment as a CNA. Covering 80 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical activities, the program prepares students with basic skills to care for patients within the scope of practice for nurse aides. Program graduates will be eligible to take the Arizona Board of Nursing to receive a Certified Nursing Assistant License. The duration of the program is six weeks. Day and evening classes are offered.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 16 years or older
- Take and pass an admission exam
- Provide proof of citizenship or legal resident – Arizona state ID or driver’s license and social security card
- Pass a 5-panel drug test
- Submit satisfactory TB test results – not older than 6 months
- Obtain medical clearance from a licensed physician
- Must have no felony convictions within the last 5 years
- Provide an Arizona DPS fingerprint clearance card or application
- Have current BLS/First Aid certification
Tuition for the program is $1,250. Other costs include registration, books, scrubs, gait belt, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, 5-panel drug test, fingerprint clearance card, BLS/First Aid, TB test, fingerprint rolling fee, and State Board exam. A payment plan is available for all students.
- Website: https://medstaracademy.com/programs/certified-nursing-assistant/
- Address: 13760 N 93rd Ave Suite 202 in Peoria, AZ
- Phone: (623) 773-9000
Mesa Community College
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Nurse Assisting offered by Mesa Community College prepares adults for entry-level employment in healthcare. The curriculum is a combination of classroom instruction and clinical lab practice plus real-world patient care in long-term care facilities. Graduates of the state-approved program will be eligible to take the written and practical certification exam for certification by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Admission criteria:
- Obtain a grade C or better in the RDG reading course
- Provide current level one DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Pass an MCCD background check
- Obtain a negative urine drug screen
- Submit the required health and safety documentation
- Have a high school diploma or GED
Tuition for the program is $1,196 for in-county students.
- Website: https://www.mesacc.edu/programs/map/nurse-assisting-ccl
- Address: 1833 West Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
- Phone: 480-461-7000
Accord Institute
The Certified Nursing Assistant course offered by Accord Institute prepares adults with knowledge and skills to engage is direct patient care. The curriculum requires completion of 120 hours of theory and practical instruction. Students will learn the role and responsibility of the nurse aide, infection control, patient safety, emergency response, body systems, mental health, basic psychology, restorative services, nutrition, and communication. Skills lab courses will run simultaneously with classroom sessions for students to develop essential skills related to patient care. The clinical part of the program will give students the opportunity to work one-on-one with patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Graduates will be able to take the Arizona Board of Nursing CNA Exam. The duration of the program is approximately 6 to 8 weeks depending on the schedule.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Pass an entrance exam
- Provide a copy of high school diploma or GED
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
- Provide evidence of negative TC test or chest x-ray
- Attend an interview with AHI member of staff
- Submit to a drug screen
- Complete a satisfactory background check
Tuition for the program is $1,430. It includes the registration fee, tuition, TB skin test, drug screen, and uniform.
- Website: https://www.ahiphoenix.com/cna
- Address: 3816 N 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85017
- Phone: 602-714-3439