A Certified Nurse Aide serves as a vital member of the health care team by assisting licensed nurses in long-term care facilities, clinics, and patients’ homes. This frontline worker helps residents with the activities of daily living, measure, record and interpret vitals, closely observe and monitor patients’ health status, maintain a clean environment, and answer calls for assistance.
Nurse aide programs in Virginia cover a minimum of 75 hours of classroom lectures and practical instruction in a clinical setting. Students will learn basic nursing skills, the laws that govern practice, patient safety, and patient rights and independence. The Virginia State CNA exam is an essential component of the preparation required for Certification as a Nurse Aide. Candidates must pass the Written and Skills components of the exam to be added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry to practice as a CNA in long-term care.
While patient care at this level may be satisfying for some, many others use the nurse aide training and experience as a stepping-stone toward a career as a licensed practical or registered nurse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12 percent increase in employment for nursing assistants and orderlies between 2016 and 2026. A high turnover rate in the profession and growing demands for long-term care are the two main factors that increase employment for CNAs.
Henrico County Public School
The nursing assistant program at Henrico County Public School equates to three high school credits and 3 college credits. The technical program is available to high school students in the eleventh and twelfth years and may be completed in 36 weeks. The course of study emphasizes the role of the nurse aide in the health care system. Students will learn body structure and function, nutrition, infection control, disease process, medical terminology, communication and interpersonal skills, CPR and first aid, patient care, and vital signs. Students will participate in a clinical rotation, which will be conducted at various off-campus health care facilities. Experienced nurse instructors will direct students’ activities as they care for patients or residents in the designated health care facilities. At the conclusion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the state certification exam for immediate employment as a Certified Nurse Assistant. The program also provides a foundation for study as a practical nurse.
Admission criteria:
- Must be enrolled in a Henrico County Public School as a junior or senior
- Have a recommendation from the counselor
This program is available to high-school students only.
- Website: https://henricocte.com/career-classes/areas-of-study/health-science/nurse-aide/
- Address: 3751-C Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223-0420
- Phone: 804-781-1818
Dominion Health Education Center
Upon completion of the nurse aide program at Dominion Health Education Center, students will have the competency to meet the needs of patients in acute and long-term care facilities. They will have the skills to maintain patients’ functioning, communicate and interact with patients, their families, and team members, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, meet patients’ mental, physical, emotional, and social needs, promote patients’ rights, assist patients in the maintenance of functional independence, and observe patients to report any adverse reactions to medications or treatment. The duration of the program is 7 weeks. Classroom sessions meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Clinical sessions meet for five 8-hour days from 6:45 am to 3:15 pm. During the clinical rotations, tattoos must be covered, hair pulled back, facial piercings removed, and nails keep short. Program graduates will be eligible to take the NNAAP exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Submit to a random 10-panel drug test
- Pass a criminal background check
- Demonstrate the ability to read and write English
- Have a negative TB test report
Tuition for the program is $950. Students must pay $200 down during registration.
- Website: https://www.dominionhealthed.com/
- Address: 4746 Finlay Street, Henrico, Virginia 23231
- Phone: 804.340.6163
- Fax: 804.340.6935
- Email: info@dominionhealthed.com
Highland Springs Adult Education Center
The nursing assistant program at the Highland Springs Adult Education Center provides adults with the knowledge and skills to provide basic health care services. A licensed registered nurse instructor will cover classroom lectures and supervise practical experiences in a clinical setting to acquaint students with the role of the nurse aide. Graduates will be eligible to take the Virginia Nurse Aide Certification to be added to the Nurse Aide Registry. Students will meet Monday and Wednesday evenings in the classroom from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 6:45 am to 3:30 pm for the clinical rotations. The program requires at least 26 sessions for completion. Students will need to have scrubs, a stethoscope, name tag, and wrist watch for the clinicals. Successful completion requires 100% attendance for the clinicals, 90% for the classroom, and a final grade of 80% or higher.
Admission criteria:
- A high school diploma or GED certificate
- A negative TB skin test
- Be able to lift up to 100 lbs
- Complete a criminal background check through the Virginia State Police
- Have current CPR/First Aid certification
Tuition for the program is $750. The registration fee is $15. The State Board Exam fee is not included in the cost. A payment plan is available. Students must pay $265 at the time of registration.
- Website: http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/adulteducation/files/2016/12/Henrico-Adult-Education-Spring-2017-Catalog.pdf
- Address: 201 E Nine Mile Rd, Highland Springs, VA 23075
- Phone: 804-328-4095
Asher Comprehensive Training Center, Inc.
Asher Comprehensive Training Center’s Nurse Aide Program delivers 120 hours of classroom and clinical instruction. The curriculum is divided into classroom lectures (70 hours) and real-world instruction in a clinical setting (50 hours). Students will learn the role and function of the nurse aide in long-term care, human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, measuring and recoding vital signs, observation and reporting, personal care and grooming, range of motion, patient transfers and positioning, care for cognitively impaired persons, Alzheimer’s care, death and dying, communication, nutrition and feeding, and rehabilitation and restoration. Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to take the Virginia Nurse Aide Boards for Certification as a CNA. Certification is required for employment in long-term care facilities. Asher offers flexible class schedules to meet the needs of working professionals. The day classes meet on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. The evening classes meet on the same days from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm. The duration of the program is 7 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- A completed application
- Pay the non-refundable application fee
- Complete a criminal background check for participation in the clinical
- A negative TB test or chest X-ray
- Complete a physical exam and required immunizations
The tuition may be paid using money orders, checks, GI Bill Benefits, WIA, and payments from the Salvation Army and employers.
- Website: http://www.ashercomptrain.org/Nurseaide.html
- Address: 7465 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23225
- Phone: (804) 233-9494
- Fax: (804) 233-9521
- Email: etaylorasher@yahoo.com
Companion Extraordinaire Home Care Services
Companion Extraordinaire Home Care Services Virginia state approved nursing assistant program prepares students for entry-level employment in a long-term facility. Students will benefit from 135 instructional hours in the classroom, skills lab, and clinical facility. The areas of study include but are not limited to restorative care, vital signs, infection control practices, restoration and rehabilitation, personal care and grooming, patients’ rights and independence, death and dying, chronic care, positioning and transfers, patient health and safety, and nutrition. The program requires participation in a clinical rotation at a long-term care facility where students will put their practical skills to use to care for patients under the direction of a registered nurse instructor. The Continuing Adult Education Program admits new students year round. Those who meet the attendance and grade requirements will receive a certificate of completion and will be eligible to take the state exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant. Companion Extraordinaire Home Care Services may offer employment to graduates.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application for consideration
- Complete a state criminal history check
- Submit a physical exam report including immunizations
Free training may be available for eligible candidates.
- Website: http://cenninc.com/certification-classes/
- Address: 112 England Street, Ashland, VA 23005
- Phone: (804) 752-2205
- Fax: (804) 752-3403
Richmond Technical Center
High school students can enroll in the nursing assistant program at Richmond Technical Center to prepare for employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The classes cover the course of two semesters and emphasize the principles of safe patient care. Instruction in the classroom and long-term care setting provides the knowledge and skills students need to succeed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Evaluation. The curriculum can be covered in two semesters or 36 weeks. Students will learn medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, patient safety, patients’ rights and independence, measuring and recording vital signs, patient positioning and transfers, communication principles, infection control, role and function of the nurse aide, basic nursing skills, and hospice care. Students must paty for uniforms, resources, and program fees.
- Website: https://www.rvaschools.net/
- Address: 2020 Westwood Avenue, Richmond VA 23230
- Phone: (804) 780-6237
- Fax: (804) 780-6061
Virginia School for Nurse Aides
Virginia School for Nurse Aides facilitates a nursing assistant program to prepare adults for entry-level employment in long-term care. Students will benefit from personalized instruction as Virginia School of Nurse Aides has a cap on the number of students enrolled in each cycle. Experienced instructors cover medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, nurse aide role and function, patient rights and independence, communication, personal care and grooming, measuring and recording vital signs, infection control, cognitive care, hospice care, safety procedures, rehabilitative treatments, and hospice care. The nurse instructor will work closely and individually with students in a clinical setting to reinforce the theoretical principles and prepare students for success on the skills evaluation. The commitment of teachers has enabled the school to maintain high pass rates on the state board exam. The exam is conveniently administered at the facility giving students the advantage of taking the exam in a familiar setting. Flexible day and evening classes are available. The 5- week daytime schedule meets Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm for 5 weeks. The evening class meets Monday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and is also 5 weeks in duration.
Admission criteria:
- Completed enrollment documents
- Acceptable criminal history check
- Submit a physical exam report indication up to date immunizations
Tuition costs $1,235.88 and includes books, TB exam, state board exam and scrubs.
- Website: http://www.virginiaschoolfornurseaides.com/
- Address: 3310 W. Clay St. Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23230
- Phone: 804-353-1747
- Email: info@virginiaschoolfornurseaides.com
Professional Career Institute
Professional Career Institute will prepare nursing assistant students for employment in health care in just 6 short weeks. Through classroom lectures and practical experiences in a long-term care facility, students will develop the skills to provide basic nursing care. Course topics include basic nursing skills, human anatomy and physiology, infection control, vital signs, rehabilitation, hospice care, patient safety, patient rights and independence, legal and ethical issues, observation and reporting, and personal care and grooming. Students must attend all lectures and clinical rotations and receive an acceptable final grade to graduate. Day and evening schedules area available. Class times are 9:00 am to 2:30 pm or 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the state exam to be added to the Nurse Aide Registry.
Admission criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide a valid ID and social security card
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete a criminal background check
- Complete a TB test or chest x-ray
The cost of the tuition and textbook is $1,250.
- Website: http://procareerinstitute.org/nurse-aide/3932964
- Address: 9200 Arboretum Parkway Suite 110, Richmond, VA 23236
- Phone: 804-327-9740
- Fax: 804-327-9745
- Email: admissions@procareerinstitute.org