Many people looking for jobs are surprised to learn how affordable CNA classes in North Carolina can be. Students can become a CNA or Certified Nursing Assistant in 3 months or less, after just one semester at a technical school, trade school or community college. Busy adults can earn their certification even more quickly, by taking online self-paced classes.
In some cases, an employer such as a nursing home will even sponsor tuition, for a job applicant who agrees to work with the company after obtaining his or her CNA certification. Of course, if the job applicant does not follow through, there can be financial penalties.
Understanding the Term CNA
It’s a little confusing because the term CNA is used in many industries, to mean different things. These letters can stand for the Caribbean News Agency, a Certified National Accountant, or the China Northern Airlines. The term is also used to mean the Canadian Nurses Association or to designate the CNA financial corporation. However, in the world of healthcare certifications, CNA always means Certified Nursing Assistant – a major health paraprofessional certification in the U.S. today.
Many people use the term “”Certified Nurse’s Assistant”" but this is not correct. The CNA does not assist usually assist a nurse, LPN or RN. Frequently, the CNA works in a private home or other facility where there is no RN on duty. Rather than assist the nurse in providing care, a CNA provides routine patient care on her own. In fact, many people refer to the CNAs in a nursing home or rehabilitation center as “”nurse.”"
Paraprofessionals
CNAs are considered paraprofessionals in the healthcare world. The term “”para”" means alongside or near. Like other paraprofessionals, CNAs work closely with professional doctors and nurses to provide much-needed care to patients.
Open to Almost Anyone
The CNA profession is open to almost anyone. Although many CNAs are women, men are also welcome in this field. Earning a CNA is an excellent start to a “”work as you go”" plan to earn a higher degree, such as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or RN (Registered Nurse) designation.
Because CNA classes in North Carolina are taught at the community college level, and online, they are available to almost anyone – even those without a high school diploma.
Job Locations
CNAs work in a variety of locations, including nursing homes, hospitals, private home, rehabilitation facilities and more. Nursing assistants provide bedside care and perform routine tasks that clients cannot complete themselves, from planning menus and preparing food to giving baths.
In rehabilitation facilities, a CNA often assists patients in performing exercises that improve mobility and range of motion.
Some everyday duties that a CNA might perform, depending upon his or her job:
- Working with a patient who must use a walker to encourage him or her to be more active.
- Planning and preparing nutritious meals for a homebound senior citizen, and shopping for food.
- Monitoring blood pressure, pulse and body weight of a client recovering from surgery.
- Bathing a patient who cannot leave his or her bed.
Usually CNAs do not perform housekeeping or cleaning duties. Instead, those who have graduated from CNA Classes in North Carolina help all types of patients in myriad facilities.
Coastal Carolina Community College
444 Western Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28546
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801
Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Nurse Aide Training
932 Old U.S. 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Alamance Community College
1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, NC 27253
Sparta Wilkes Community College
115 Atwood Street, Sparta, NC 28675
South Piedmont Community College
4209 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe, NC 28110
Wilkes Community College
363 Campus Drive, Jefferson, NC 28640
Mayland Community College
200 Mayland Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Beaufort County Community College
5337 Hwy 264 East, Washington, NC 27889
Martin Community College
409 West Granville Street, Windsor, NC 27983
Bladen Community College
1741 East Arcadia Road, Riegelwood, NC 28332
Broughton Hospital
1000 South Sterling Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Western Piedmont Community College
1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, NC 28655
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
920 Church Street North, Concord, NC 28025
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
2855 Hickory Blvd., Hudson, NC 28638
City Carteret Community College
3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557
City Carteret Community College
468 Highway 70 East, Sealevel, NC 28577
Catawba Valley Community College
2550 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Catawba Valley Community College
2550 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Central Carolina Community College
764 West St, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Oconaluftee Job Corps
502 Oconaluftee Job Corps Road, Cherokee, NC 28719
Tri-County Community College
4600 East US Highway 64, Murphy, NC 28906
Cleveland Community College
137 South Post Road, Shelby, NC 28152
Southeastern Community College
4564 Chadbourn Highway, Whiteville, NC 28472
Fayetteville Technical Community College
2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303
College of the Albemarle
132 Russell Twiford Road, Manteo, NC 27954
Davidson Community College
1205 Salisbury Road, Mocksville, NC 27028
James Sprunt Community College
133 James Sprunt Circle, Kenansville, NC 28349
Durham Technical Community College
201 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701
Gericare Education and Training, Inc.
505 South Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701
Optimal Health College, Inc.
2742 Holloway Street, Durham, NC 27703
Edgecombe Community College
2009 West Wilson Street, Tarboro, NC 27886
Edgecombe Community College
225 Tarboro Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Caduceus Nightingale Academy
3560 Vest Mill Road, Winston Salem, NC 27103
Forsyth Technical Community College
1300 Bolton Street, Winston Salem, NC 27103
Vance-Granville Community College
200 Community House Road, Henderson, NC 27537
Gaston College
201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 28034
Lenoir Community College
602 West Harper Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580
Priority Nursing Academy
2007 Yanceyville Street, Suite #61, Greensboro, NC 27405
Guilford Technical Community College
601 High Point Rd., Jamestown, NC 27282
Monolia’s Training Academy, Inc.
1B Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403
Halifax Community College
100 College Drive, Weldon, NC 27890
Central Carolina Community College
1075 East Cornelius Harnett Blvd., Lillington, NC 27546
Haywood Community College
185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721
Blue Ridge Community College
180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Roanoke-Chowan Community College
109 Community College Road, Ahoskie, NC 27910
Sandhills Community College
1110 East Central Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376
Mitchell Community College
500 West Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677
Southwestern Community College – Sylva
447 College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779
Johnston Community College
245 College Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577
Lenoir Community College
794 NC Highway 58 South, Trenton, NC 28585
Lenoir Community College
231 Highway 58 South, Kinston, NC 28502
Gaston College
511 South Aspen Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Asheville-Buncombe Tech Community College
340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801
Martin Community College
1161 Kehukee Park Road, Williamston, NC 27892
McDowell Technical Community College
54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752
American Academy of Healthcare, LLC.
5200 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28209
Caregivers Institute, Inc.
825 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
1200 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203
Central Piedmont Community College
1201 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204
Divine Health Academy
5501 Executive Center Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212
Nurse Aide Institute of Excellence
4510 Sunset Road, Charlotte, NC 28216
Queens University of Charlotte
1900 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28274
Mayland Community College
200 Mayland Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Montgomery Community College
1011 Page Street, Troy, NC 27371
Sandhills Community College
3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374
Nash Community College
522 North Old Carriage Rd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Cape Fear Community College
411 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
Catawba Valley Community College
2550 US Hwy 70, Hickory, NC 28602
Durham Technical Community College
411 West Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Pamlico Community College
5049 Highway 306 South, Grantsboro, NC 28529
College of the Albemarle
US Highway 17, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Cape Fear Community College
100 Industrial Drive, Burgaw, NC 28425
Piedmont Community College
1715 College Drive, Roxboro, NC 27573
Piedmont Community College
331 Piedmont Drive, Yanceyville, NC 27379
Pitt Community College
4381 County Home Road, Greenville, NC 27858
Isothermal Community College
1255 West Mills Street, Columbus, NC 28722
Randolph Community College
629 Industrial Park Avenue, Asheboro, NC 27205
Richmond Community College
1042 West Hamlet Avenue, Hamlet, NC 28345
Robeson Community College
5160 Fayetteville Road, Lumberton, NC 28360
Robeson Community College
124 Livermore Drive, Pembroke, NC 28372
Rockingham Community College – Wentworth
Highway 65 West County Home Road, Wentworth, NC 27375
American Red Cross at Salisbury
1930 Jake Alexander Blvd West, # B, Salisbury, NC 28147
Isothermal Community College
286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale, NC 28160
Sampson Community College
1801 Sunset Avenue, Clinton, NC 28328
Richmond Community College
1042 West Hamlet Avenue, Hamlet, NC 28345
Stanly Community College
141 College Drive, Albemarle, NC 28001
Surry Community College
630 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017
Blue Ridge Community College
180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731
South Piedmont Community College
721 Brewer Drive, Monroe, NC 28112