Free CNA Training in New Jersey

Are you looking for free CNA training programs in New Jersey?  Most nursing assistant training programs cost less than $1000.  However, this can still be a lot of money especially if you have a low-income or are unemployed.  Read below for a list of places you can potentially get free training from:

For example, the Workforce Advantage Program offers certified nursing assistant training for individuals who would otherwise have no way to access this training.  The program is designed for individuals who are unemployed.  This program is intended to provide a way for individuals who are currently out of week to train for a new career in a short amount of time (just a few weeks).

Many care facilities for elderly individuals and those with chronic illnesses providing nursing assistant training.  This training is often considered paid training in that individuals are often offered employment with the facility as long as they complete the training program and pass the certification exam.  In order to receive the training for free, you need to continue working for the employer after you receive your training.  (Usually for a minimum of six months).

If you are working for a facility that hires certified nursing assistants, you might have another way to obtain free cna training.  Talk to your employer about your interest in becoming a nursing assistant.  If you are a hard-working individual, the employer might be willing to pay for your training for you.  Once again, you will most likely be required to work for that employer for a specified number of months.

Direct Training Opportunities

CDM Institute Financial Assistance
This institute is closely affiliated with various funding sources in the state of New Jersey such as the Workforce and unemployment offices. Depending on your unemployment situation and annual family income they can help avail the various grants and scholarships provided by the federal government. They have 8 campuses in New Jersey. They are located in Jersey City, Lawrenceville, Marlton, Phillipsburg, Toms River, Vine Land, Wayne and Woodbridge. You can call them on any of the following numbers for more info:

800-709-7244
877-888-1554

Free Training to become a Home Health Aide
HHA’s are different from CNA’s in that they work at the home of patients as opposed to the nursing home. Their pay is a little lesser but the working hours can be more flexible and the work less stressful. E&S Home care Solutions is offering free training in the city of Soth Plainfield. They can be contacted on (908) 222-8494 for more info. We’ve purposely listed this on the CNA page because the two careers are very similar and this might be helpful to someone.
E&S will be offering free training for nursing assistants very soon. Call them on the number above for more info.

Nursing Related Scholarships in New Jerseycnanotes2

Salem Community College – Mark Eyerman Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Salem Community college has many scholarships available for the students. Scholarships are based on academic excellence, financial need and/or are program specific. The Mark Eyerman Memorial Nursing scholarship is available to students that are accepted into the Practical Nursing program. In order to qualify, the applicant must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The awarded amount is up to $1500 per academic year.

New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund

The New Jersey Work Trade Center Scholarship Fund was created to aid the dependent children of New Jersey who were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The scholarship amount varies from year to year and cannot exceed the actual tuition, fees, room and board. The scholarship may be applied to both in-state and out-of-state colleges. Make sure and complete the entire application and submit it by the deadline dates depending on fall or spring terms.

American Legion New Jersey Auxiliary Department Scholarships

The American Legion New Jersey Auxiliary Department Scholarship is available to New Jersey residents who is a child or grandchild of an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S Armed Forces. The amount and number of scholarships awarded varies each year. In order to qualify, the applicant must:

  • Be a high school senior
  • Use the award towards freshman year
  • Be enrolled at a two-year college
  • Be a resident of New Jersey for at least two years

Low Cost Training

HPI School of Allied Health
979 Lehigh Ave-Union, NJ 07083

HPI School of Allied Health offers a few different entry level healthcare courses including their certified nursing assistant program. The school has been in business for about a decade and has well qualified instructors providing the theoretical and hands on knowledge students need to become nursing assistants.  Students learn about much more than the medical aspect of being a nursing assistant.  They also learn how to provide good social and emotional support to all clients they will work with from a variety of different backgrounds and circumstances. CNA students will learn how to have a well rounded approach to helping the people to whom they will provide care. The teachers have about two decades of experience among them from working in the medical field. They are able to teach students in a practical way and it is easy to comprehend even if someone is a bit older and has been out of school for awhile before they attend training.

One of the CNA training options can be completed in as little as three weeks which is quite helpful to people who need to be able to become employed in a relatively short amount of time. Students at HPI are taught more than enough fundamentals and basics about nursing assistant care to provide safe and efficient care to patients.  They are not charged to take course work or study modules that they really do not need.  Students receive a good solid foundation in nursing assistant care for their tuition fees they must pay to complete the program.

Most former students felt that their instructors truly wanted them to ‘not just pass’ but to pass with the knowledge and confidence they needed to truly shine in their new career as a nursing assistant.  MS Anetta at HPI school is said to be particularly helpful in getting students started with their certified nursing assistant training.  She wants to see prospective students turn into current students who are able to complete the course without struggle and to graduate and move on to receive a job as a certified nursing assistant. Ms. Anetta owns the school and is well qualified to be running the programs as she has worked as a Registered Nurse.  All the teachers at the HPI School of Allied Health strive to provide not only good instruction to their students but to be great mentors and to help prepare students to be successful not only in their new career but in life.

Institutions That Can Help 

Burlington Community College
3331 New Jersey 38, Mt Laurel, NJ 08054
As a result of a grant received by the school, this college will be offering greet training to accepted applicants.  The accepted students will not need to pay for this training.  Eligible students will include those who are receiving career training and related benefits through Workforce Programs.

Workforce Development
161 New Brunswick Ave, 3rd floor, Suite 300. Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
There are a variety of programs through New Jersey Workforce Development that can provide training for men and women who are not currently working.  You should visit a local one stop career center (such as the one in this section) to determine what programs will work for you.

Nursing homes in New jersey that might offer CNA training for free

Note: These nursing homes DO NOT Provide CNA training directly. Your best chance is to contact nursing homes with active vacancies as they are most likely to hire NA trainees. This is just a list of the best nursing homes in NJ to help you get started in your search. 

Andover Subacute And Rehab Ii – 99 Mulford Road   Andover, New Jersey 07821

Applegarth Care Center – 189 Applegarth Road   Monroe Township, New Jersey 08831

Applewood Estates – Applewood Drive   Freehold, New Jersey 07728

Arbor Glen Center – Pompton Ave & E Lindsley Rd   Cedar Grove, New Jersey 07009

Berkeley Heights Conv Center – 35 Cottage Street   Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922

Berkeley Meadows – 311 Springfield Avenue   Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922

Bey Lea Village – 1351 Old Freehold Road   Toms River, New Jersey 08753

Bishop Mccarthy Residence – 1045 E Chestnut Ave   Vineland, New Jersey 08360

Brakeley Park Center – 280 Red School Lane   Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865

Brandywine Senior Care At Moor – 1211 North Church Street   Moorestown, New Jersey 08057

Childrens Spec Hosp Toms River – 94 Stevens Rd   Toms River, New Jersey 08755

Childrens Specialized Hospital Mounta – 150 New Providence Road   Mountainside, New Jersey 07092

Christ Hospital Subacute – 176 Palisade Avenue   Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Christian Health Care Center – 301 Sicomac Ave   Wyckoff, New Jersey 07481

Cinnaminson Center – 1700 Wynwood Drive   Cinnaminson, New Jersey 08077

Clara Maass Cont Care Bell – One Clara Maass Drive   Belleville, New Jersey 07109

Crestwood Nursing Home – 101 Whippany Road   Whippany, New Jersey 07981

Crystal Lake Hlthcare & Rehab – 395 Lakeside Blvd   Bayville, New Jersey 08721

Cumberland Manor – 154 Cumberland Drive   Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Cusack Care Center/St. Joseph’s Home For The Blind – 537 Pavonia Avenue   Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Daughters Of Miriam Center – 155 Hazel Street   Clifton, New Jersey 07015

De La Salle Hall – 810 Newman Springs Rd   Lincroft, New Jersey 07738

Delaire Nursing & Conv Center – 400 W Stimpson Ave   Linden, New Jersey 07036

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10 Responses to Free CNA Training in New Jersey

  1. Valerie Kochis September 21, 2011 at 11:31 pm #

    I lost my job of sixteen years with a large Pharmaceutical Company in New Jersey. I am interested in working as a CNA. I obtained my CNA 17 years ago. I did not renew in those 17 years. I do not have my card, only the badge.

    Would I still have to taken the training.

    Thank you.

    • DeeDee February 7, 2013 at 4:18 pm #

      anytime your license has lapsed and its been more than a period of two years, you will be required to retake the class. It does not matter what state you are in, as the state licensure is only valid for two years.

    • Carren February 13, 2013 at 9:08 pm #

      In the state of NJ you have to recertify every 2yrs, but if you somewhat forget or do not want at moment there is a way to get your certification again without taking course over. Only thing is, you have to be certified with the past 5 yrs of taking exam again. Ex: If its 2013 and you want become a CNA again its possible to just take the skills exam and written test if your original CNA license issuing year is with 5 yrs, so from 2008 up until 2011 will be able to recertify without taking the course again. After the 5yrs mark you have to do EVERYTHING all over again.

      • Admin February 13, 2013 at 9:28 pm #

        Thank you Carren.

  2. Zsuzsanna November 17, 2011 at 12:34 am #

    Hello
    I obtained my CNA license in NH. Then I moved to New Jersey. I have transferred my license over here, I have not been renewing my license for years, however I have completed the CNA class. Do I have to do the class over again in the State of New Jersey to get my license again.

  3. Howard Schaum July 16, 2012 at 2:09 pm #

    I graduated in 2001 from Star Technical Institude as a multi-skilled medical technician. Do I have to take the course over again to gain employment as a CNA, phlebotomist and ekg technician?

  4. yolanda dunbar August 20, 2012 at 8:57 pm #

    I would like to train to be a cna, I am very friendly an I love helping people and I’m a very hard worker.

  5. Marissa August 23, 2012 at 3:10 am #

    I would like to cna certfied. I have already completed the class in pa and now live in nj. How would I do that?

  6. Chelsea May 9, 2013 at 2:35 pm #

    I am very interested in the CNA program and I was just wondering if there were any facilities at all that offered a free CNA program in NJ? I’ve been told many times to go to Mercer Community College but I am a little tight with money now and I would like to see if free training exists at all anywhere before I just sign up to Mercer.

  7. Leah May 30, 2014 at 2:12 pm #

    I am a BSN graduate and waiting to take my NCLEX. In the meantime, I would like to get a job as a nursing assistant. Would I still be required to attend training classes and sit for the exam to be certified?

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