There is a shortage of certified nursing assistants in Rhode Island. If you are looking for an entry-level position in nursing, you can consider a career as a CNA. You will provide basic care services (mostly non-medical) for patients. In order to work as a CNA, you will need to receive training through a state accredited program and then past the state certification exam for CNAs. Check below for a list of free training programs:
Sometimes a nursing care facility will offer training to individuals living in the immediate area or will open up to training programs for which you can apply. In some cases, the programs are free without requiring you to work for that particular facility. You might be able to find a free training program with terms such as these at a time when there is a shortage of nursing assistants throughout the state.
You can probably access free training if you are receiving welfare benefits. If it is determined that you will do well upon receiving nursing assistant certification, you might very well be offered tuition assistance. It does not hurt to ask for assistance if you want to improve your financial situation by training to become a CNA.
Check with local community colleges in your area to find nursing assistant training programs. You should always check with the financial aid department of any colleges with such programs in order to find potential free training options. There might very well be grants or scholarships available to you to help you pay for CNA training at a community or technical college.
Direct Free Training Opportunities
The Adult Skills Training Program
Rhode Island has a state funded grant similar to the workforce investment act that tries to retrain people who have become redundant or who lack the necessary skills to get an in demand job. To be eligible you must be from a low income household and be willing to get trained in a new career. For more info call: 333-7283
Crossroads Rhode Island
They have a training program that accepts people who have been approved by the DOH, Workforce offices and by their own financial assistance evaluation to provide free training. Crossroads have been there for over a hundred years and used to be called Travelers Aid back in the day. Note that you have to be from a low income household to have any chance of getting this training. Their address:
160 Broad Street, Providence RI 02903
Phone:401.521.2255
The Rhode Island Job Corps
The Job corps in Exeter offers free career health training to qualifying individuals. Their programs last from 8 months to 2 years and you are required to stay at the center while learning. To find out more information on enrollment and their career programs you can call them on (800) 733-JOBS.
St Antione’s Resdience through Family Resource Center in Woonsocket
A reader alerted us to this nursing home providing free training. Their address:
245 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Phone: 401-766-0900
Grand Islander in Newport.
The Grand Islander Center’s free program will start on November 7th 2011. To apply, you must go to their facility in 333 Green End Ave., Middletown on October 20th at 2:00pm. They do not accept applicants via phone. You must go their and get interviewed in person if you are to have a chance at qualifying for the program. You must have a sincere desire to help elders and provide care. This will be carefully examined in the interviews that will be carried out. Their Address:
333 Green End Ave, Middletown, RI 02842
Thanks “KA” for the tip.
Nursing Related Scholarships in Rhode Island
Lucy C. Ayers Foundation, Inc.
The Lucy C. Ayers Foundation Nursing Student Scholarship was established in order to provide financial assistance to nursing students in Rhode Island. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Be a resident of Rhode Island
- Be enrolled in an accredited nursing programs in Rhode Island
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a facility member
- Demonstrate financial need (is not required but may be taken into consideration)
- Submit completed application along with all requested documents
The awarded amount is $1000 and may be used for tuition, books, fees or other related expenses.
Nursing Foundation of Rhode Island – Nursing Education Scholarships
Nursing Education Scholarships are awarded to students who are enrolled in a nursing program and are based on available funds. The amount awarded is $500 – $1000. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Demonstrate financial need
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
- Be enrolled in a nursing program
- Submit transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Submit an essay on specified topic along with a cover letter
Make sure and submit completed application and all requested documents by May 1st.
Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation – Student Nurse Organization Scholarship
The Student Nurse Organization Scholarship is provided through the CCRI Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to nursing students who have completed their first year in the program. Preference is given to individuals who have maintained a minimum GPA of 2.5 during their first two semesters of the nursing program and have demonstrated above average clinical performance. Make sure and submit completed application and requested documents by April 1st.
Other Nursing homes in Rhode island that might offer CNA training for free
Note: These nursing homes DO NOT directly provide free training but are however a good resource if you’re looking for nursing homes that may be near your area. It is a good idea to get in touch with those facilities that have active CNA vacancies. They are more likely to hire you as a trainee.
Alpine Nursing Home Inc – P O Box 457 Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
Avalon Nursing Home Inc. – 57 Stokes Street Warwick, Rhode Island 02889
Ballou Home For The Aged – 60 Mendon Road Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895
Bannister House Inc – 135 Dodge Street Providence, Rhode Island 02907
Bayberry Commons Inc – 181 Davis Drive Pascoag, Rhode Island 02859
Evergreen House Health Center – 1 Evergreen Drive East Providence, Rhode Island 02914
Forest Farm Health Care Ctr – 193 Forest Avenue Newport, Rhode Island 02840
Grace Barker Nursing Center Inc – 54 Barker Ave Warren, Rhode Island 02885
Heberts Nursing Home Inc – 180 Log Road Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917
Holiday Retirement Home Inc – 30 Sayles Hill Road Manville, Rhode Island 02838
Jeanne Jugan Residence – 964 Main Street Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
Kent Regency – 660 Commonwealth Avenue Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Laurel Healthcare Center – 51 Laurel Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
Roberts Health Centre Inc – 990 Ten Rod Road North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852
Scallop Shell Nurs & Rehab Ctr – 981 Kingstown Road Peace Dale, Rhode Island 02879
Scandinavian Home Inc – 1811 Broad Street Cranston, Rhode Island 02905
Shady Acres Inc – 415 Gardner Road West Kingston, Rhode Island 02892
Silver Creek Manor – 7 Creek Lane Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
7 Quick Ways To Get Training in Rhode Island
[wooslider slide_page=”cna-slider2″ slider_type=”slides” limit=”8″ thumbnails=”default” order=”DESC” order_by=”menu_order”]
I am looking for a CNA class where I can work as I am being trained.
Have you tried any of the nursing homes above.
None of these nursing homes offer it any more. Where else can i get it done?
St Antione’s Resdience through Family Resource Center in Woonsocket offers free CNA training and so does Grand Islander in Newport.
Thank you for the info! We’ll put it up as an update to this page as well.
I’ve worked as a CNA 14 years ago but have been a stay at home Mom to raise my daughter. I need to find employement and would like to know if a nursing home would be willing to hire me and retrain me so that I’d have the hours I need for recertification. I already know the basics so they could benefit from the experience I already have. I would greatly appreciate your help.
Stacy McKay
Does anyone know where there doing free McNamoara training this year. Im a certified medical assistant but IM having a hard time finding a job cause they want people with a least two years experience.
I have been a National Certified Medical Assistant since 2000 and worked in a local hospital laboratory for 10 years, but was let go in November 2010 (supossedly not working up to their expectations!!!). I had one short term job for 6 weeks and was informed I was over-qualified for the job.
It seems CNA is the way to go now since they are in high demand.
Hi,
I am looking for nursing homes , etc., also that provide CNA classes for free. I am willing to
Work in RI or MA . I live on the border. I know I can take classes at CCRI , but I don’t want to spend that kin of $$. Does anyone know of a place for me to call ? I’ve called most of the ones on the list with no luck.
I’m also interested in getting any kind of job at a hospital ( answering phones, etc) …. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
Thanks for looking.
Leslie M.
North Attleboro, MA
I’m looking for a nursing home in Providence RI that offers cna training if anyone can help me thank you very much any information is appreciated
I am from Pittsburgh PA and I finished school at Sanford Brown for Dialysis Tech and I was un aware that I would need a cna here in RI to persue my career if there is anyone out there that can help me I would be forever grateful