Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program
Program is offered every three months (Call school for next start date:
615-341-4659)
About the Program
Nursing assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. This program is designed for adult learners who are interested in entering the health care field as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and have little or no formal training. This 12-week program (12 Saturdays*), which consists of a total of 96 hours (60 didactic; 36 clinical), emphasizes care of the older adult, assistance with activities of daily living, bathing, dressing, exercise movement, eating, elimination, safety, and comfort measures.
*Classes/clinicals are held on Saturdays for 8 hours each day.
Mission Statement
In accordance with and in support of the mission of Nashville General Hospital, the Certified Nursing Assistant Program is committed to educating highly skilled certified nursing assistants who will provide quality care for their patients. It is the program’s mission to promote high quality patient care skills in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, professionalism and continuing education. This is accomplished through a three-month didactic and clinical curriculum.
Objective
The objective of this short-term training course is to provide students with the theory, laboratory and clinical experience in the practice of basic nursing skills. The program prepares students to successfully pass the state Nursing Assistant certification exam.
Program Goals
- To introduce the learner to the health care field of nursing assistants.
- To provide learners with experiences in the classroom and in the clinical setting that result in development of basic competencies required of nursing assistants.
- To provide the learner with the competencies required for entry level nursing assistant jobs.
- To provide the learner with training required by State and Federal laws for employment as a nursing assistant.
- To prepare learners to pass the state certification exam.
Admissions Requirements
- Submit application along with a $50 non-refundable application fee (Either paid on-line (see "Pay Your Application Fee" button above), OR Cashier's check or Money Order payable to NGH CNA program). (Note: There is a $2.95 surcharge when paying on-line with debit/credit card)
- Submit proof of high school graduation or GED completion.
- A criminal background check and a drug screening are required. Applicants are responsible for fees.
- Once the application, application fee, and transcript(s) have been received, the candidate will be scheduled to start the next scheduled class, pending the results of a background check and drug screening.
- After the background check and drug screening are cleared, students are required to provide documentation of:
- TB skin test (PPD) within the last 3 months or a copy of the chest x-ray report within the last 3 months if unable to take the skin test because of a past positive reaction
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) immunization/booster that is less than 10 years old
- Proof of 2 MMR immunizations OR positive titers for Rubeola, Mumps, and Rubella
- Proof of 2 Varicella (chickenpox) immunizations OR positive titer
- Hepatitis B immunization or signed waiver
- Flu Vaccine
- COVID Vaccination (either double dose of Moderna OR Pfizer OR one dose of Johnson & Johnson)
- BLS/CPR for the healthcare worker certification
Note: The student may schedule the aforementioned tests/immunizations through their personal physician or at Nashville General Hospital.
Program Fees
Application fee - $50 (non-refundable – cashier’s check or money order or Paypal payable to NGH CNA Program)
Tuition - $880 (non-refundable - cashier’s check or money order only, payable to NGH CNA Program).
Note : There is no loan program available at this time . However, the program is Local Workforce Investment Area certified and candidates may be eligible for financial assistance through the American Job Center (Call 615-253-8920). SNAP program participants may also be eligible for educational financial assistance (call 1-866-311-4287).
Textbooks/Resources –Approx. $100.00
Liability insurance - $35.00
Criminal background check - $50.00
Drug screening - $35.00
Uniforms (Maroon Scrubs) – (cost varies depending on where purchased)
CPR for the Health Care Provider - Contact the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
*NOTE: All fees subject to change. The program currently is not a Title IV participant through the Federal Department of Education. This means students are not eligible for Federal Student Aid (government-funded student loans or deferments). Please contact the program officials for information on state financial assistance centers.
If you are interested in applying for this program, call 615-341-4659 for the program schedule, or email: radprograminfo@nashvilleha.org for more information.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The School of Health Sciences Programs of Nashville General Hospital at Meharry do not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, creed, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, or State constitutional or statutory law in its student admission policies as well as employment administration, program operations, and activities.
