Boston avails perfect CNA career opportunities for high school graduates, the unemployed, and individuals who are passionate about a healthcare career. The prospects for a career in Boston are bright. This is because of the area’s aging population and an impressive ecosystem of healthcare services providers. The good news is there are free CNA training opportunities in Boston, therefore, if you look at it, there is no excuse for not pursuing the career path if it is your passion. Working as a CNA in Boston is challenging, but extremely rewarding and fulfilling at the same time. Described below are some of the institutions that you can enroll with for CNA training in the area.
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How long does it take to become a CNA in Boston?
In Boston, prospective CNAs should complete at least 75 hours of training before they can become be registered as one. Of those, at least 59 hours should be committed towards classroom instruction, while the remaining 16 hours should be committed to clinical hands-on practice.
On average, how much does the CNA training cost?
The total cost of the CNA course in Boston differs from one institution to another due to factors such as location and the total runtime for the program. However, on average, to undergo CNA training in Boston, students will require about $1000 for tuition.
How much does a CNA make per year in Boston?
The compensation package for a CNA depends on factors such as location, job specifications, experience, and employer policy. However, based on average, a Certified Nurse Aide makes about $21 an hour in Boston.
North Shore Community College
North Shore Community College offers an impressive state-certified Certified Nurse Aide program in Boston. If you are passionate are in the area, and you are passionate about healthcare education, then this is the place to be.
As a clear testament to the top-notch education services at the facility, the course is accredited by the Department of Health Services. Graduates from the facility are well known for their competence. This explains why it is the training center of choice for many healthcare services providers in Boston.
The training has a total runtime of 100 hours split between classroom lectures and clinical hands-on practice at an affiliated healthcare facility. North Shore Community College is manned by expert instructors, who ensure that all the students grasp all the fundamental aspects of the course.
The course content is impressively broad. It imparts students with crucial nursing skills such as taking vital signs, turning or moving patients, emergency care, patient care basics, medical terminology, among others.
The enrolment policy at North Shore Community College but transparent. A high school diploma or GED equivalent, drug screening, and TB test are mandatory before one can be offered a place.
The program has a limited class size. Therefore, students are encouraged to apply early to increase their chances of getting a place. They also have financial aid opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.
Massbay Community College
Massbay Community College’s CNA program is one of the best entry-level healthcare qualifications that can be obtained in Boston.
The program runs for a total of 120 hours and is inclined towards theory training sessions. Of the 120 hours, 80 hours are committed towards classroom instruction, while the remaining 40 hours are for clinical practicum at an affiliated long-term care facility.
Over the 8 eight weeks that students will be undergoing tuition, they are accustomed to routine healthcare tasks. These include monitoring vital signs, toileting, feeding, bathing, and so on. Their theory curriculum is also impressive. It covers restorative nursing, patient safety, infection control, drug administration, anatomy, among a host of other topics. Students also learn the soft-skill component of the nursing profession. This includes teamwork, teamwork, and communication skills.
To be given a place at Massbay Community College, applicants should be at least 16 years of age and in possession of either a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They should also have a clean criminal record, and be willing to undergo drug screening and TB testing. Physical fitness is also a must as students will be expected to move, lift, or transfer patients weighing a least 50 lbs.
Massbay Community College avails scholarship and grant opportunities to its financially disadvantaged students.
LifeStream Inc
LifeStream Inc offers a 5 week long CNA training course that has a total runtime of 120 hours in Boston.
The institution is among the top-of-the-range CNA training facilities in the area. Their teaching staff is exceptionally good, they are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Furthermore, the institution is licensed by the Division of Professional Licensure and the Massachusetts Office of Private Occupation School Education. Therefore, students who would have completed their training at the facility can sit for their state licensing examination that is given at the institution’s classrooms.
Training at LifeStream is rigorous. It covers topics such as physiology, infection control, anatomy, emergency procedures, fundamentals of nursing, medical terminologies, emergency procedures, and so on. It is also paramount to highlight that that course also includes a CPR certification from the American Heart Association, which is a must-have for every CNA.
The classes for the program take place monthly. Classroom training and testing are held at the institution’s Employment and Training facility.
Enrolment is strict and class sizes are limited. To increase their chances of getting a place, interested individuals are advised to apply early. To be eligible for the program, one must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum qualification of a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Drug screening, a TB test, and a clean criminal record are also required. It is also important to note that the program may involve tasks that require strenuous body activity, therefore, physical fitness is a must. Students should be able to lift at least 50 lbs of weight.
Catholic Charities – Archdiocese of Boston
This one boasts a history that spans over a hundred years. Their mission is to contribute towards the attainment of a society that is compassionate, just, and rooted in the values of dignity.
Over the years Catholic Charities’ CNA program has helped Boston improve the quality of its healthcare services and fight poverty.
To be eligible for enrolment, applicants should be at least 18 years of age. In addition, they should also have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, competency in the English Language, a certificate of physical fitness from a medical practitioner, and a negative TB test.
Aspiring Nurse Aides at the institution are taught to perform basic nursing procedures and handle patients’ tasks such as bathing, grooming, and feeding.
Training is also flexible. Both day and evening classes are available, which is great news to students with conflicting schedules.
If you are a Boston resident, and you are passionate about a healthcare career, then you should seriously consider enrolling at the institution.
National Medical Academy
If you are looking for free CNA classes in Boston, then the National Medical Academy is the perfect place to study.
Like most training centers in Boston, the school also requires that applicants be at least 18 years of age and in possession of a high school diploma. They should also have a clean criminal record, be free from communicable diseases, and undergo drug screening.
The CNA training at National Medical Academy is comprehensive. It combines the crucial elements of theory and clinical practice. As a result, the output is a well-balanced student who can thrive in any healthcare ecosystem be it hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities.
The training runs for a few weeks after which students will be eligible to sit for their state licensing examinations. These are almost a sure pass, judging from the academy’s history of outstanding results over the past few years.
There are also financial aid packages in the form of scholarships and grants for students experiencing financial hardships. To be a beneficiary, one will have to apply at the college’s financial aid office.
Bunker Hill Community College
It will be quite an unfair to do a review on CNA classes in Boston without mentioning those from Bunker Hill Community College. The program enables students to become qualified for certification by the American Red Cross.
The program covers the three core aspects of nurse aid training namely classroom instruction, laboratory skills training, and clinical practicum. It runs for eight weeks, and its curriculum covers all the vital aspects of nursing such as nutrition, patient safety, vital signs, emergency care, medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, and so on.
After completion of the classroom instruction lectures, the students are exposed to real-life situations in clinical settings. This part of the program is supervised by a certified registered nurse.
The enrolment policy at Bunker Hill Community College is quite competitive due to the limited class sizes. To avoid inconveniences, interested candidates are advised to apply well ahead of the deadline. The admission requirements include a high school diploma or GED equivalent, drug screening, a criminal background check, full immunization records, and physical fitness. The last requirement is key as part of the training involves lifting, moving, and transferring patients. Students should be capable of lifting at least 50lbs.
No doubt, if you are a CNA aspirant in Boston, the Bunker Hills Community College is one of the best places where you can do your CNA training.
American Red Cross – Boston
The American Red Cross in Boston also offers quality CNA training services in the area. The organization is renowned for its efforts to improve the health welfare of people across the world.
Graduates from the American Red Cross CNA training program can fit into any modern healthcare setting, thanks to the organization’s thorough medical training program that combines the theory, lab skills, and clinical practice components of the program.
Students at the facility are imparted with nursing concepts such as physiology, anatomy, nutrition, infection control, vital signs, interpersonal skills, communication, fundamentals of nursing, and so on.
The American Red Cross CNA training program in Boston is handled by expert instructors. This explains why the organization’s students consistently rank among the top performers in the Boston area.
The program takes between 4 to 8 weeks, after which students will be eligible to sit for their state licensing examinations.
If you are a Boston resident and carry CNA ambitions, then you should seriously consider enrolling for training at the American Red Cross.
Lions Center Nursing and Rehab Center
The Lions Center Nursing and Rehab Center’s CNA program is approved by the Department of Health Services and runs for a few weeks.
The institution’s strength point is its cutting edge medical equipment that is in tandem with the modern healthcare services trends. The program runs for a couple of weeks, under which students get an opportunity to learn all key aspects of the profession.
The teaching process is done through theory classes, lab skills training, and clinical practice. As a result, students from the facility have been known to thrive in any healthcare settings in the Boston area.
The admission process is competitive due to the institution’s limited class sizes. To avoid inconveniences, interested students are encouraged to submit their applications well ahead of time.
To find a place at Lions Center Nursing and Rehab Center, applicants should be at least 18 years of age. They should also be holders of at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent. A clean criminal record, drug screening, and a TB test complete the list of requirements.
There is also a strict attendance policy. Students should participate in all classes if they are to graduate.
And here is the good news, training at the facility is free! Students should just be willing to work at the institution for a specified period in exchange for the no-cost training.
Holyoke Community College and Natural Sciences
Holyoke Community College and Natural Sciences offer a CNA program that has an equivalence of six credits in Boston. It is one of the best healthcare education training centers that one can enroll in the area.
Holyoke Community College and Natural Sciences have an admission policy that is both strict and transparent. Interested candidates are expected to undergo background checks, drug screening, TB tests, and show their immunization records as well.
No doubt, their training program is the best way to jumpstart your medical career, especially for students with outsized ambitions in the healthcare field. The environment allows students to benefit as much as possible from their clinical instructors who also double as their mentors.
The learners are given a rock-solid foundation in healthcare topics such as infection control, drug administration, emergency care, patient’s rights, personal care, vital signs, and so on.
Students do not only learn about the technical components of the course. They also get an opportunity to understand medical ethics, law, teamwork, and so on, the soft components which are crucial for the success of any healthcare team.
After finishing the course, students will be eligible to write their state certification examinations.
It is paramount to highlight that training at the institution is done for a fee. However, economically disadvantaged students can approach the institution’s offices for financial aid.
Middlesex Community College
Individuals with huge healthcare career ambitions will find the Middlesex Community College to be the perfect entry point towards a promising health services career.
Everything about the training facility is perfect right to the dot. Their instructors are highly qualified and have a long record of assisting their students to pass exceptionally well in their state certification examinations.
The program is holistic. It combines both the elements of theory learning and clinical practice. Students are introduced to various skills and topics such as stress management, mental health, safety, medical terminologies, patient rights, vital signs, and so on.
The training is biased towards theory lectures as they take a significant amount of time out of the total program runtime. The clinical practice component of the program is covered 24 hours at an affiliated local healthcare facility under the supervision of a registered nurse.
To be admitted to the college, applicants should be holders of at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They will also need to complete a SORI/CORI check and pass a literacy test. Physical fitness is a must as training usually involves lifting, moving, and transferring patients. Applicants should be capable of moving at least 50lbs.
There are also scholarship opportunities available. To benefit from these, interested students can visit the college’s financial aid office.
Arcola Health and Rehab Center
If you are looking for a place where you can undergo free CNA training in Boston, then you can opt for Arcola Health and Rehab Center.
The institution has a strict intake policy. It is because of their limited class size. To gain admission, applicants should have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They should also have a clean criminal record, a negative drug tests result, and no known communicable diseases. Due to the huge number of students that submit their applications every intake, the selection criteria goes on to include attitude and flexibility traits.
The CNA training at Arcola Health and Rehab Center is twofold. It combines elements of in classwork and clinical hands-on practice. This ensures that the output is a crop of graduates who can solve the challenges they are likely to encounter in their day-to-day lives as practitioners.
Arcola Health and Rehabilitation Center is particular about students attending classes. Students who are in the habit of absconding from classes for no apparent reason may find themselves being dismissed from the program altogether.
The institution also offers its graduates excellent job opportunities that are matched with high salary packages. Therefore, students will not have to worry about seeking employment once they are done with their training at the facility.
Bristol Community College
Bristol Community College offers Boston residents a state-approved CNA program that prepares them for work in various institutions such as nursing homes, home care agencies, and hospitals.
The college boasts of a state-of-the-art advancing nursing laboratory that features cutting-edge equipment that enables students to blend into any modern healthcare facility with great ease.
The program has a total runtime of 130 hours and combines classroom lectures, hands-on training, and clinical hands-on practice. These include 4 hours of BLS Healthcare Provider CPR training, which is crucial for every health practitioner, and thirty-four hours of hands-on clinical training.
Their instructors are easily accessible to the students to assist anytime if need be. They are very responsive to calls, emails, and in-person appointments. Their low instructor-to-student ratio also enables personalized learning, which in turn results in high pass rates.
To gain admission at this prestigious college, prospective students will need holders of a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They should also complete a TB and drug test and have a clean criminal record.
Bristol Community College is very strict on students’ attendance to classes. To graduate, prospective CNAs should ensure that they do not unnecessarily miss classes.
No doubt, Bristol Community College establishes a rock-solid foundation upon which students can kick-start their CNA careers.
Youth and Family Enrichment Services
The Youth and Family Enrichment Service is a non-profit social services organization that is concerned about the welfare of the youth in the Boston area.
As part of its youth empowerment drive, the organization offers a CNA training program in the area. This is an attempt to fight unemployment among the youth, and improve Boston’s healthcare services as well.
The CNA program at the facility is facilitated by the Boston Adult Technical Academy, which is a public school in Dorchester.
The program is holistic in approach. It features both the much-needed theory and practice for a well-balanced CNA practitioner. Students are introduced to basic nursing aspects such as fundamentals of nursing, nutrition, drug administration, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, and so on.
If you are a Boston resident and carry CNA ambitions, then you can opt for enrolling at Youth and Family Enrichment Services.
Their training goes beyond teaching technical aspects of the program. They also impart soft skills to the students such as teamwork, dedication to duty, and medical ethics, which are all crucial elements for a well-rounded Certified Nurse Aide.