Individuals who want to pursue formal education in personal care usually enroll in a state-approved training program for aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). These programs prepare students for the state's certification exam and entry-level jobs in the field.
Schools with Personal Care Programs
These schools offer personal care programs that can help you reach your professional goals, such as working at a certified health agency, nursing home or hospice.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Program Offered | Tuition/Program Costs (2016-17)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American River College | Sacramento, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $276 |
| Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $1,863 (CNA); $1,294 (patient care technician) |
| Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate | N/A |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 2-year, Public | Certificate | N/A |
| Wayne County Community College District | Detroit, MI | 2-year, Public | Certificate | N/A |
| Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $322 |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate | N/A |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $465 in-district, $550 in-state, $1,100 out-of-state |
| Anne Arundel Community College | Arnold, MD | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $1,296 in-district, $2,496 in-state, $4,404 out-of-state |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | Wellesley Hills, MA | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $950 |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $1,710 in-state, $4,883 out-of-state |
Sources: *School websites
School Selection Criteria
These are some of the things you should look for when choosing a personal care school:
- Aspiring CNAs should make sure that the program has been approved by the state, and they may wish to choose a school that is accredited by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHCH).
- Candidates may want choose a personal care school that hosts on-site CPR training.
- Prospective students may want to look for schools where the supervised clinical experience takes place in the type of environment where they would like to work in the future, such as a nursing home or assisted living facility.
- Individuals who wish to work specifically with elderly patients may want to look for programs that provide a specialization in geriatric nursing assistance.
Certificate Programs
Nursing assistant provide training for individuals who wish to work as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). These professionals work under the supervision of licensed nurses, helping patient with essential functions like eating, dressing and bathing. They may also assist with basic clinical procedures, such as taking vitals and conducting clinical diagnostic tests. Programs provide both classroom-based training and supervised clinical experience. Depending on the school, these programs can often be finished in a single semester.
Individuals who want to pursue formal education in personal care can find CNA programs at many community colleges and technical schools. When choosing between programs, it is important for students to make sure that the curriculum coincides with state certification requirements, as well as their career aspirations.
