Where Can I Take CNA Classes in Houston?

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is a great career option for adults and young adults living in Houston. Knowing the good salary they get every year and the stability of career they possess, a lot of people are considering this profession. However, Certified Nursing Assistants do not have an easy job. They are often the primary caregiver of patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. In fact, they work in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team like nurses and doctors to ensure patient safety and well-being. Nevertheless, the process itself of becoming a CNA is not difficult. The number of options for CNA training programs are sometimes confusing, because one can take it for free or with payment–partial or full. If you are thinking about  this career as a good option, try to inquire from these schools in Houston and learn the requirements to gain admission for the CNA program.

Places where you can take CNA classes in Houston:

Texas School of Business

Texas School of Business offers a CNA training program that allows students to become qualified for the state competency exam. The program is a combined format of theory classes, laboratory skills training and clinical practice, which can be completed in a few weeks. Topics covered include resident’s rights, personal care skills, nutrition, body mechanics, charting, physical assessments, proper lifting and moving, handling a challenging behavior and other important areas of the field. The cost of training is usually $909, but students can apply for financial aid and scholarships to supplement their financial needs. Texas School of Business only offers a limited class size per training program; thus,l interested applicants have to complete the requirements and pass the screening process to gain admission. In addition, students must have a physical check-up and criminal background check, as part of the state requirements.

Vocational Nursing Institute

Vocational Nursing Institute has a CNA training program available for individuals who wish to work in a hospital, nursing home, long-term residential care or any kind of healthcare facility in Houston. This kind of program is short and intensive, and students enrolled in this course should make sure to have perfect attendance and participation to grasp the necessary nursing knowledge and skills. The combined lecture and clinical practice format will cover a number of topics and skills like basic anatomy and physiology, nutrition, manual handling, CPR, infection control, first aid training, handling a challenging behavior, patient care, activities of daily living and many others. Students with a record of great performance in school are eligible for the school’s financial aid program. Requirements are a high school diploma or GED, 8th grade reading and spoken English, a physical examination, TB test, criminal background check and completed application form. The course fee is $995 which does not include shoes, medical supplies, scrubs, textbooks and the state competency exam.

Lone Star College

Lone Star College has a no-credit CNA certification program that follows the guidelines of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Individuals who are interested in this short medical course should apply for a slot and pass the requirements set by the institution. They require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED, criminal background check, immunization record, physical exam, TB and drug screening, as well as 8th grade reading and spoken English. Students have to finish 64 hours of lectures and 44 hours of clinical practice, supervised by a Registered Nurse or Certified Nursing Assistant. They must prepare $892 for the tuition and $17 for the healthcare practice insurance. Upon completing the program, graduates will be eligible for the state competency exam which allows them to become an eligible nursing assistant in Houston, Texas.

Houston Community College

Houston Community College has a CNA training program that prepares students for their certification exam and an entry level position in the healthcare sector. This course focuses on the duties and responsibilities of a nursing assistant, particularly the skills needed for clinical practice. Classroom lectures, laboratory training and clinical rotations are provided with supervision from a Registered Nurse or Certified Nursing Assistant. To gain admission to the program, applicants must have a high school diploma or a GPA of 2.0, along with a criminal background check, immunization record, TB test result, drug screening result, and health insurance. The topics covered during the program are patient rights, handling a challenging behavior, CPR, first aid training, vital signs monitoring, activities of daily living, proper body mechanics among many others.