You can become a nursing assistant in Oregon by completing a state certified training program and then by passing the test for certification. The state of Oregon offers two levels of nursing assistant training: the CNA 1 and the CNA2 Program. You must become certified as a CNA1 before you can continue training. Read below for a list of free training options:
Many CNA training programs are offered at community colleges and in other educational facilities. You can contact local colleges and universities in your area to find those that offer nursing assistant training. Talk to the schools to determine if the programs you will be entering will be eligible for grants or scholarships of any type.
You should apply for grants and scholarships if they are available to you to cover a training program for nursing assistant certification. It might sometimes work out that you will receive enough financial aid to pay for the entire course, thus offering you free training.
There are nursing care facilities and even hospitals that offer nursing assistant training as well. You should contact local facilities to find out if any offer training. Ask those that do offer training if they offer employee sponsored program. In these programs you will agree to work for an employer for awhile and they will agree to pay for your training.
Contact the Nursing Aide Registry for the state of Oregon if you are hoping to find free cna training options. Someone at the Registry should be able to refer you to any programs or agencies that might be able to help pay for your certified nursing assistant education. You should then follow up by checking into any programs to determine if you can apply for training tuition assistance.
Clatsop Care Center (Added June 2012)
they are currently funding four scholarships for CNA training. The financial assistance allows you to get trained at Clatsop Community College after which you will need to work for the care center for a minimum of 6 months(24 hours a week). If you’re serious about becoming a CNA and want a job ready for you, this looks like a perfect opportunity. A lot of people may feel that getting bound by an employer is a bad thing but in today’s economy, getting training AND a job all together is excellent. You can pick up the scholarship application at their facility over at 646 – 16th Street, Astoria, OR 97103. Call them on 503-325-0313 for more info.
The Oregon Job Corps:
There are six job corps centers located in Oregon. They are in Angell, Pivot, Springdale, Timber lake, Tongue Point and Wolf Creek. Of those 6 locations, only 3 offer free CNA training as one of the career training choices. The training is for free but there are some caveats that may not be suitable for everyone. You are required to live at the facility where you take the course because they help you improve your social skills(some facilities may allow you to reside elsewhere so check first)
More on this in our article on Job Corps Free Training
Marquis Companies
They have a very competitive training program that usually runs every five weeks. the facilities currently offering this type of training are in Mt. Tabor and Portland. You will need to apply in person and satisfy their entry requirements to get into the program. if selected you will undergo training and then appear for the state exam. After passing you will get employment at the facility that trained and you and you will start earning a salary. For more details visit http://www.marquiscompanies.com/careers/cnacertification/cna-faq
Nursing homes in Oregon that might offer free CNA training
Note: These nursing homes DO NOT Provide CNA training directly. This list includes some of the popular nursing homes in Oregon and is there to help you get started on locating a nursing home near your area. If you do find one close to you that has an active CNA vacancy, they might hire you as a trainee.
Avamere Rehab Of Sweet Home – 950 Nandina Drive Sweet Home, Oregon 97386
Avamere Riverpark Of Eugene – 425 Alexander Loop Eugene, Oregon 97401
Baptist Manor – 900 Ne 81st Avenue Portland, Oregon 97213
Baycrest Health Center – 3959 Sheridan Avenue North Bend, Oregon 97459
Blue Mountain Nurs Home – 112 East Fifth Street Prairie City, Oregon 97869
Camelot Care Center – 3900 Pacific Avenue Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
Evergreen Milton Freewater – 120 Elzora Street Milton Freewater, Oregon 97862
Evergreen The Dalles Health – 1023 W. 25th Avenue The Dalles, Oregon 97058
Evergreen Vista Health Center – 103 Adams Avenue La Grande, Oregon 97850
Evergreen Windsor – 820 Cottage Street Ne Salem, Oregon 97301
Fair View Trans. Hlth Ctr – 1710 Ne Fairview Avenue Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
Fairlawn Good Sam Hc – 3457 Ne Division Gresham, Oregon 97030
Fernhill Care Center – 5737 Ne 37th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97211
Marquis Care At Centennial – 725 Se 202nd Avenue Portland, Oregon 97233
Marquis Care At Forest Grove – 3300 19th Avenue Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
Marquis Care At Hope Village – 1577 S Ivy Canby, Oregon 97013
Marquis Care At Mt Tabor – 6040 Se Belmont Street Portland, Oregon 97215
Sherwood Park Nursing & Rehab – 4062 Arleta Avenue Ne Keizer, Oregon 97303
Siuslaw Care Center – 1951 E. 21st Street Florence, Oregon 97439
South Hills Rehabilitation Cen – 1166 E. 28th Street Eugene, Oregon 97403
St. Elizabeth Health Services – 3325 Pocahontas Rd Baker City, Oregon 97814
Sunny Vista Care Center – 10435 Se Cora Street Portland, Oregon 97266
Sunnyside Care Center – 4515 Sunnyside Road Se Salem, Oregon 97302
Tierra Rose Care Center – 4254 Weathers Street Ne Salem, Oregon 97301
Register for class
I would like to know when the next Free CNA classes start in Salem, Oregon. I will start a job as a CNA. If I take the classes I can become a manager. I have a background check, over 18. I just need to update a TB test.
Thank You,
Rita
Hi . My name is imelda. And im really interested in taking CNA classes . i was looking online for programs for CNA and i found one where they do free classes for cna.. My question is it really free to take those classes..
Always make sure they have accreditation. You can never complete the FULL classes online as clinical hours are a must.
So its great that all there are all these listings of locations that are available for people to contact for possible free CNA classes…But there’s NO phone numbers listed for each site or even an e-mail contact list either. It would be of some help if that was available also…Just a thought.
Thank you,
Katie. Salazar
Thank you for your suggestion Katie. We will try and update all listing with phone numbers as soon as we can.
You can look up the facility on Yahoo and the site will give you the information you need!
I have to agree with the last comment made about the listings above, it’s nice to have this list but without any phone numbers makes contacting them more difficult. Thanks you, Jennifer
It isn’t difficult to look them up if your really interested. Thanks for the info.
I got my CNA from Dallas Retirement Village in Dallas Oregon. It was free I didnt have to pay a cent to get in. They even gave me a job there after i was done to get exsperiance!!
Thank you Teresa! I’m sure this information will be very useful to people living in Dallas.
The Oregon State Board of Nursing website keeps a list of approved training programs and their contact numbers at: http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/
Keep trying to enroll. I would also encourage folks interested in becoming CNAs to take the class at a Community College. Yes, you will need to take out a loan- but it is worth it!
AND don’t stop your education there!
Keep going. In nursing, the sky is the limit!! You don’t need to stop at a CNA. Nursing is a great career!
So my question is that I work at a care center I have a MA certificate and am working as a HCC. If I take the courses for CNA 1/2 does my job already count as hours or will I have to do more?
One of the best companies that provide CNA training out in the Salem area is Providence Benedictine in Mt. Angel.
Last time I checked, they will “hire” you for the CNA program meaning that they will pay you approx $12/hour while you are in training. You have a 1-2 year commitment to work for their facility in return for their facilitating and and paying for your CNA certificate. They also will offer to you once you have your CNA to advance to the CNA-2 with various modules. I have not taken their program (I went through Chemeketa Community College for my CNA which was paid for by the Mt. Angel Towers RCF) but my sister has as well as an ex co-worker.
http://oregon.providence.org/patients/programs/providence-benedictine-nursing-center/Pages/default.aspx
Thank you Jacob!
How do you sign up for classes at the benedictine center?
When are the soonest classes near portland and beaverton? I would prefer free but I can pay some. I just want to get into the medical field
I would like to be notified of free CNA training classes offered in the Salem-keizer area or nearby within a 50 mile radius I have experience in the related field and would like to further my knowledge and education in this career field.