This guide will provide you with information about some CNA training schools in Texas and how you can find ways to lower the cost of your training or even obtain it for free at many of the training centers throughout the state. Certified nursing assistants make an average of about $45,000 per year in Texas but, of course, that income can be lower depending on the city in which you work and the healthcare setting.
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Training Requirements
Most individuals will need to attend CNA training program that includes at least 100 hours of study and has been approved by the state. Applicable programs can be found here: (http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/NF/credentialing/NATCEP/credtraining.cfm). Students will gain knowledge through both hands on training and classroom instruction.
Financial Help and Free CNA Classes
Trinity Valley Community College
100 Cardinal Dr-Athens, TX 75751
High school seniors or recent high school graduates who are planning to obtain their nursing assistant training form Trinity Valley Community College should try to apply for the Texas Grant. This Grant is for individuals who are graduating or have graduated from high school in the past 16 months. Contact the school if you are not a recent graduate to make sure you would not qualify under any other criteria. It is intended to help students with very significant monetary need who might not otherwise be able to go to college. In fact, students who are eligible should be those with such a low family income that their total family contribution amount would not be more than $4000. Because this grant depends on household income and related factors, those who apply will need to complete the federal financial aid paperwork knows as the FASFA. They will need to put down on any financial aid papers that they are planning to attend Trinity Valley Community College. A student will need to be able to maintain a good academic standing while they are training and studying at Trinity Valley Community College to continue being eligible for the Texas Grant once approved.
CNA Training Programs
Vinepress Training Center
9550 Forest Lane, Suite 104, Dallas, TX 75243
The Vinepress Training Center offers several courses to help students who wish to enter into starting phases of the healthcare field. Among their courses, is a nursing assistant training course that costs $550. The Nursing Assistant training course is very skills intensive with hands on lab experience using medical equipment like that equipment that nursing aides use in the field. Students will also receive clinical experience by performing nursing assistant duties at a local nursing home under the direction of the clinical instructor for the training program. In the classroom, students will learn the theories and fundamentals behind basic, entry level nursing care. They will learn how to be patient and compassionate to patients with acute and chronic conditions as well as those patients who are receiving end of life care. The training course provides students with all the knowhow they need to be a valued member of the nursing staff.
Amarillo College
1220 East First Street-Dumas, TX 79029
Amarillo College offers a 12 week nursing assistant training program. The course has four different segments. Students will first have an introduction section. They will near the basics of what it means to be a CNA and an overview of what this career entails. The nursing assistant program also includes a lecture instruction where students learn the basics they need to know before they can implement nursing assistant skills. Of course, the program also involves a clinical segment where students will actually perform nursing assistant duties under direct supervision for patients within a healthcare facility. The final section of the course is a skill review to make certain students are fully prepared to carry out the practical skills they need to work as a CNA. This program is one for which students can apply for financial aid and the total cost for the program without any financial assistance is $1231.50.
Nurses Bridges Institute
8700 Commerce Park Dr, Ste 255-Houston, TX 77036
Nurse Bridges institute offers a nurse aide training program to students. They offer this course every three months and the course itself lasts for ten weeks. After completing the course, students will need to sit for the Nurse Aide Competency test which is giving through the Department of Aging. Students will learn in this course through several methods. There will be classroom/lecture instructions. Within the classroom there will be audio and visual aids used to help students better understanding what they are learning and how it will be used in the real world clinical setting. There will be clinical lab simulations on campus. This is a chance for students to practice real nursing aide skills in a protected environment before actually using those skills with patients. And lastly, students will need to complete a clinical rotation where they will work directly with patients. The total cost for the nurse aid program at Nurses Bridges Institute is $835.
- The College of Healthcare Professionals – Austin, TX | 78752 | (512) 892-2835
- Austin Community College – Austin,TX | 78752-4390 | (512) 223-4222
- Franklin Nursing Home – Franklin,TX | 77856 | (979) 828-5152
- The Legacy Campus – Bay City, TX | 77414 | (979) 245-7800
- St. James House – Baytown, TX | 77520-1694 | (281) 425-1200
Application Procedure
In Texas, CNA candidates begin their application to be listed on the CNA registry at the time of applying to sit for the certification exam. Applications can be found here:
(http://www.pearsonvue.com/tx/nurseaides). The training program will need to verify the student finished their course successfully. If a student was exempt from needing to take a training course, there is another application they will need to completely so that the Department of Aging can approve their request to sit for the exam. The application can be found here: (http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/nf/credentialing/NATCEP/forms.html) and various paperwork will need to be submitted verifying that the training or education requirements have been met.
A successful background check is required for any candidate to be listed on the CNA registry.CNA Exam
The CNA certification exam costs $95. This test includes a multiple choice section as well as a skills section. You will be tested on 5 different CNA skills. You will not know which skills will be tested other than showing you know how to use proper hand hygiene. You must receive a score of satisfactory on at least 4 of the skills to pass that portion of the test. You cannot be listed on the nursing aide registry until both tests sections are passed. You can sit for the test three different times.
Test locations can be found here: (http://asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/064407.pdf. You will need to schedule a testing site, date and time.
Out of State CNAs
If you are a CNA who is in good and active standing from another state, you can apply for reciprocity. If approved, you do not need to take a training course nor do you need to sit for the exam. Whether in state or out of state, if your certification lapsed, you will need to take the examination again to become listed in active standing on the registry.
Places to Work in Texas
Beacon Hill
3515 S Park Ave, Denison, TX 75020
C C Young Memorial Home
4829 W Lawther Dr., Dallas, TX 75214
Crown Point Health Suites
6640 Iola Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79424
Elsie Gayer Health Care Center
902 N Main St., San Angelo, TX 76903
Golden Age Nursing Home
2613 34th St., Lubbock, TX 79410
Golden Palms Retirement & Health Center
2101 Treasure Hills Boulevard, Harlingen, TX 78550
Healthcare Center at the Forum at Park Lane
7827 Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75225
Hollymead
4101 Long Prairie Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028
Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation – New Br
2468 Fm 1101, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Longhorn Village
12001 Longhorn Parkway, Austin, TX 78732
CNA Training Center Reviews
Amarillo College – Small campus, teachers are concerned about the success of their students, reasonable fees and teachers actually read the material and then teach it well to the students. I made lifelong friends at Amarillo college and we always help each other to make it less stressful. The online classes are also incredibly easy and night classes are convenient for students who have full-time jobs.
Nurses Bridges Institute – At this institute, students are provided a chance for hands-on training to gain experience. They practice with a partner and also have small quizzes to prepare for exams. The environment is positive and friendly and the courses prepare students for their career.
CNA Training FAQs
What do I need to do in order to become a CNA? In order to become a CNA, you are required to:- graduate from a state-approved training program and pass the state evaluation test.
How can I qualify for reciprocity? You can qualify for reciprocity if you are currently on the nurse aide registry in another state that is in compliance with applicable federal laws and you complete the necessary DADS-required documentation.
Once I pass the examination, how fast can I get my certificate? The nurse aide certificate will be sent to you within four to six weeks.
How long can I keep my certification active if I stop working as a nurse aide? If you were not employed as a nurse aide for 24 consecutive months you will lose your certification and will be removed from active status on the Nurse Aide Registry.