You will need to attend a CNA training course approved by the State Board of Nursing if you want to become a CNA in Arizona. The training course will cover topics such as: infection control, patient rights, emergency care, acute care and restorative care. The course will prepare you for the examination you must pass before receiving certification. We’ve listed a few free training opportunities below.
1) Contact your local job placement agencies if you are currently out of work and seeking employment as a CNA. Often times, you can receive assistance with some basic training for a new career through job placement and training agencies. You might be able to receive a type of grant that will allow you to cover the cost of certified nursing assistant training.
2) Call the State Board of Nursing in Arizona because they are the organization that approves certified nursing assistant training. They should be able to tell you if the state is currently partnering with any CNA training locations to offer free training to qualified individuals. The person with whom you speak might also be able to point you in the direction of any agencies that can help pay for your training.
3) Start calling around to nursing homes and related facilities in your local area. A large majority of training programs are held at these facilities. Many of these facilities will hire individuals to work for them as certified nursing assistants. They will often provide you with free training if you will work for that healthcare provider for a certain amount of time. You are being paid to train to work for them. After working there for a set amount of time (usually several months to one year), you can then decide if you want to continue working there or to seek employment somewhere else.
4) There are other places to look for CNA training in Arizona as well. Many community colleges and continuing education providers offer training. You can sometimes find training at a nursing college as well. Contact the administrators of these programs to determine if they offer any types of financial assistance or scholarships.
Direct Free CNA Training Options
Carondelet Health Network (Medical Assistant Trainee)
Tucson, AZ. Phone: (520) 872-6357
Carondelet is one of Arizona’s largest healthcare providers with a number of facilities spread out across the state. They currently have an open medical assistant trainee position. While a current CNA license is preferred, they do accept applications from those that don’t have one. Since it is a trainee position we expect they will provide a lot of on the job training and get you up to speed. If you can convince them you’re serious about a career in nursing, they might actually hire you and train you to become a CNA. Definitely worth a shot.
Family Care Connections (Free CNA Training)
18001 N. 79th Ave #A10 Glendale, AZ. 85308 Phone: (623) 776-9351
Family care provide temporary caregivers to residents in their area. Caregivers do the same things CNA’s do but without the medical part. If you’re a caregiver(HHA) you’re almost 70% of the way to being a CNA. Since there is such a huge demand for caregivers, they are providing free training. All you need is a passion for caring and you’re set! They might have a requirement that you work for them for a certain number of months since they train you. Call them on the number above for more info.
Creative Innervisions
1819 E Morten Ave #140, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Phone: (602) 265-8007
Similar to the above listing. They are urgently looking for individuals who want to become care providers. Unlike other care providers, they only serve people with disabilities, mental illness and serious head injuries. This gives you the opportunity to really hone your skills as a CNA in an area where most individuals find it difficult to cope.
Foundation for Senior Living
1201 E Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ
They currently have Independent Living Aide(CNA) positions available at their facility in Temple. They are willing to offer paid CNA classes if you qualify. The training is held over a four week period during the day time. Along with that you will also get another 22 hours in personal care training. For more details please go to: http://goo.gl/GIIiiC
Nursing Related Scholarships and Grants
Pima Community College – Pima Book Scholarship
This is a scholarship for books only and is only limited to $300. If you enroll in a CNA course at PIMA, you can fill out your FAFSA form and apply for this so that your textbook charges are taken care of. We know its not alot but every little bit counts.
Gateway Community College – Phoenix Country Club Foundation Scholarship at Gateway
This is another scholarship limited to $1000 only. This can however be used to pay for tuition if you are enrolled at a nursing course at Gateway. This ONLY applies to students who have come from North High and not other schools in the area. Again, a very specific scholarship but it might be helpful to someone out there.
Institutions That Can Be Of Assistance
Goodwill of Central Arizona
417 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85006
Central Arizona College-Renewable Energy Technology Training
8470 N Overfield Rd. Coolidge, AZ 85128 Phone: (520) 494-5444
The Sullivan Jackson Employment Center
400 E. 26th Street, Tucson, AZ 85713, Phone: (520) 838-3300
Nursing homes in Arizona that might be offering Low Cost CNA training
Note: These nursing homes DO NOT Provide CNA training directly. It is however common for nursing homes to employ you and then pay for your training at another facility. Make sure you look for those with active vacancies as some might not be offering training. Always be polite and courteous.
- Boswell Extended Care Center – 10401 West Thunderbird Road Sun City, Arizona 85351 Phone: (623) 876-5392
- Brighton Gardens Of Scottsdale – 6001 East Thomas Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 Phone: (480) 941-2222
- Capri Care Center – 1501 E Orangewood Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85020 Phone: (602) 944-1574
- Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital – 1171 West Target Range Road Nogales, Arizona 85621 Phone: (520) 285-3000
- Catalina Health Care Center – 2611 North Warren Avenue Tucson, Arizona 85719 Phone: (520) 795-9574
- Chandler Health Care Center – 2121 West Elgin Street Chandler, Arizona 85224 Phone: (480) 899-6717
- Forum At Desert Harbor – 13840 North Desert Harbor Drive Peoria, Arizona 85381 Phone: (866) 344-4946
- Fountain View Village – 16455 East Avenue Of The Fountains Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268 Phone: (480) 836-4800
- Friendship Village Tempe – 2645 E Southern Ave. Tempe, Arizona 85282 Phone: (480) 831-5000
- Gardens Care Center – 3131 Western Avenue Kingman, Arizona 86401 Phone: (928) 718-0718
- Gila River Indian Care Center – 8201 West Baseline Road Laveen, Arizona 85339 Phone: (520) 430-3813
- Glencroft Care Center – 8641 North 67th Ave Glendale, Arizona 85302 Phone: (623) 939-9475
- Good Shepherd Retirement Ctr. – 10323 West Olive Avenue Peoria, Arizona 85345 Phone: (623) 875-0100
- Manzanita Skilled Nursing – 807 West Longhorn Road Payson, Arizona 85541 Phone: (928) 474-1120
- Silver Ridge Village – 2812 Silver Creek Road Bullhead City, Arizona 86442 Phone: (928) 763-1404
If anyone knows of any classes please email me
acrouch22 (at)gmail.com =)