CNA Classes Dallas, NC

Lured by the availability of jobs in a fast-growing field, many adults are preparing for a career in nursing. More than 60 percent of nurses start their careers as a Certified Nurse Aide as a first step to becoming a Licensed Practical or Registered Nurse. Adults who take this route should enroll in a state-mandated program, which will give them credit when enrolling in a nursing program.

Certification as a nurse aide is essential for enrolling in most registered nursing programs. Certification in North Carolina requires completion of a nursing program and passage of a skills evaluation. Waiver of the training requirements for Nurse Aide I certification is available for nursing students, nurse aide registry candidates, and out-of-state registry candidates.

CNAs provide basic nursing care in hospitals, patients’ homes, and long-term care facilities. They assist patients with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They might also measure and monitor vital signs, prep patients for physical exams, answer call lights, assist patients with mobility, make beds, and keep rooms tidy. Training and experience as a nurse aide set the tone for a career in nursing. They also helps adults determine whether patient care is their calling before committing the time and money for nursing school.

The growth in the aging baby boomer population makes nurse aides a critical factor in the delivery of patient care in the healthcare system. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will need to be an additional 177,700 more nurse aides added to the workforce to meet demands in the next decade.

Gaston College

The Nurse Aide curriculum at Gaston College is designed to prepare adults for the provision of direct care under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Training will cover human growth and development, vital signs, personal care, communication, accident and fire safety, therapeutic activities, medical asepsis, family resources and services, household environment and equipment management, and employment skills. At the conclusion of the classroom and clinical training, graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the role of a Nurse Aide I and II in North Carolina, master the skills of a nurse aide as required by nursing groups in the state, be prepared to practice as a nurse aide in North Carolina after passing the state evaluation. The Nurse Aide I program is 6 credit hours.

Admission criteria:

  • Meet all the requirements for admission to Gaston College
  • Complete the Gaston College Health and Human Services Student Medical form indicating satisfactory emotional and physical health
  • Documentation of current immunization
  • Complete a satisfactory criminal background check
  • Complete urine drug testing
  • Obtain professional liability insurance – available through the Gaston College Business Office
  • Have reliable transportation to and from the clinical site

Tuition costs $76 per credit for North Carolina residents.

Unity Nursing Institute

Unity Nursing Institute facilitates a Nurse Aide I program to prepare adults for an entry-level position in healthcare. The well-structured program includes classroom theory and clinical practice in a long-term care facility. Course topics include body mechanics, human anatomy, diet education, nutrition monitoring, disease management and symptom control, infection control procedures, basic and complex nursing care, communication, measuring and recording vital signs, mobility skills training, infection control procedures, and activities of daily living. Daytime and evening schedules are available. Daytime classes meet Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for 6 weeks. The clinical hours are 7:00 am to 2:30 pm during the sixth week. The evening class meets Monday through Thursday from 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm for 6 weeks. Clinical hours are from 3:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

Admission criteria:

  • High school or college transcript
  • Criminal background clearance
  • Complete drug screening
  • Obtain TB clearance
  • Make an initial deposit or full payment for the tuition
  • Prerequisites courses are not required but helpful – patient care or experience in a healthcare setting, human anatomy, medical terminology

Tuition for the program is $550. There is a non-refundable registration fee of $25. The school binder and supplies cost $50. Additional costs for uniform and shoes, the state exam, TB skin test, drug test, and background check are the student’s responsibility. A flexible payment plan is available that requires two payments of $275.

Serenity Nurse Aide Academy

Serenity Nurse Aide Academy LLC facilitates a Nurse Aide I program that is approved by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Board of Nursing. The program delivers the basic training that enables graduates to assist individuals with the activities of daily living under the direction of a licensed nurse. The curriculum covers 110 hours of theory and practical instruction. Areas of study include human anatomy, medical terminology, nutrition, communication, measuring and recording vital signs, infection control procedures, body mechanics, mobility skills, range of motion, basic nursing skills, and activities of daily living. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm for the day schedule and 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm for the evening schedule. The duration of the program is 4 weeks. Admission is based on a first come first served basis.

Admission criteria:

  • Be 17 years or older
  • Submit a completed application with the $25 application fee
  • Submit a high school transcript or GED equivalency
  • Provide two forms of identification – a driver’s license and social security card
  • Complete an acceptable criminal background check
  • Complete a physical examination with TB test and Hepatitis B test

Tuition for the CNA I program is $525 and includes the non-refundable registration fee and textbook.

  • Website: http://www.serenitynurseaide.com/
  • Address: 6636 E WT Harris Blvd, Suite G & H, Charlotte, NC 28215
  • Phone: 704-567-8000
  • Alt: 704-567-9199
  • Fax: 704-567-4600

Divine Health Academy

Adults with a high school diploma or a minimum eighth-grade education can enroll in the Nurse Aide I program at Divine Health Academy to prepare for a career in health. The curriculum covers 112 hours of core knowledge and skills to prepare students to care for residents in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, patients’ homes, and hospitals. Students learn how to bathe and feed patients, measure and record vital signs, use proper emergency protocol, provide personal care, communicate effectively with patients, their families, and members of the health care team, move patients from the bed to wheelchair and vice versa, assist nurses with procedures, observe patients and report any vital information, and set up and maintain medical equipment. Graduates will be enrolled to take the state exam to be added to the NC Nurse Aide Registry.

Admission criteria:

  • A high school diploma or GED or proof of a minimum 8th-grade education
  • Proof of US citizenship or legal right to work in the US
  • Complete an acceptable criminal background check
  • Complete a physical examination with TB test
  • Provide verification of immunization – complete the immunization verification form

Tuition for the program is $500 and includes textbook, study materials, and handout. Students must purchase uniforms and shoes and pay for the state exam ($101).

Chosen Health Care

The Certified Nurse Aide I program at Chosen Health Care helps adults acquire nursing skills and knowledge to care for patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Students learn how to take vital signs, assist patients with the activities of daily living, communicate with patients and health care team members, move and turn patients, make beds, measure and monitor vital signs, assist patients with exercises, use principles of infection control to prevent the spread of disease, understand the role of the Nurse Aide I in care, and provide safe and patient-centered care. The curriculum covers 122 hours of instruction – 82 hours in the classroom and 40 lab hours. The duration of the program is 4 weeks. The day class meets Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The evening class meets 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Admission criteria:

  • Be 18 years or older at the time of enrollment
  • Have a high school transcript or GED
  • Provide a driver’s license or other government-issued ID and social security card
  • Submit a completed application with the registration fee
  • Complete a criminal background check – available at the school for $20
  • Provide a physical exam report – completed within one year
  • Complete a TB test – costs $20 at the school

Tuition costs $500 and includes the non-refundable registration fee $50.

American Academy of Healthcare

American Academy of Healthcare prepares adults with the basic nursing skills to care for patients, residents, or clients in a health care setting. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the skills needed to the added to the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. Areas of study include communication and interpersonal relationships, nutrition and feeding, elimination, basic nursing skills, patient safety, rehabilitation and mental health, vital signs, personal care, and infection control. The program covers 119 clock hours of theory and practical instruction. Day, evening, and weekend classes are available. The day class meets Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The evening class meets Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. The weekend class meets Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Admission criteria:

  • A high school transcript or GED equivalent or college transcript
  • Provide documentation of immunization records including proof of Varicella and flu shot
  • Provide recent TB results
  • Complete a physical exam
  • Submit to a 12-panel drug screen – done on site
  • Complete a background check – done on site
  • Complete the Hospital Orientation Form

Tuition for the program is $525.