You can start a basic level healthcare position by working as a certified nursing assistant. This can be accomplished by finishing a training program as well as passing the certification exam. CNA training programs are offered at nursing care facilities as well as community colleges. Programs offered by community colleges generally have a fee. The fee for training programs must be at least $150 if the course is one for a fee. To get free training, follow the options listed below:
Nursing care facilities and even some hospitals also offer nursing assistant program. Not every facility offers training programs. You should contact locations in your area to find those that do. You will need to apply for acceptance into the program. If you are accepted and agree to work for the employer as a CNA for a set amount of time, you can receive free cna training.
If you are currently working for an employer who hires CNAs and are interested in changing careers, talk to your employer. They might be willing to pay for your training to become a nursing assistant if you will continue to work for them (at least for some length of time). It certainly does not hurt to ask your employer if they might be able to assist you if you are in need of free cna training.
There might be ways to receive the fees back that you paid for training if you are already certified. If you became certified within the past 12 months, you might be able to receive reimbursement for your tuition. When interviewing for a job as a CNA, talk to your potential employer to determine if you might be reimbursed some or all of your training expenses if you are hired. It might be necessary to work for several weeks or so before the employer will reimburse your fees.
Low Cost Training Options
Signature Healthcare
Unlike other training center’s in Iowa this one doesn’t charge upwards of $1000 for training. You can get your written and practical exam training done here for just $523. They have a fast track option that lasts just 2 weeks and offers you the opportunity to get trained during the evening and over the weekend. To find out more please use the following contact details:
14225 University Ave Suite 130
Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: 515.252.0000 or 1.800.518.1460
Kirkwood Community College
Being a community college, their tuition fee of $509 for the 75 hour nurse aide training course is extremely reasonable. If you’re in Cedar Rapids, you should definitely give this a go. Their class schedules are also very frequent and you should be able to start in the next month or so.
7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
Phone: 319-398-1022 or 1-800-332-8833
Nursing Related Scholarships in Iowa
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Foundation Scholarships – Heather R. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship
The Heather R. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in the nursing program at the Ankeny campus. The scholarship may be used for tuition and books. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Be enrolled in Pre-nursing, CNA, LPN, or RN program
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Enrolled full or part-time
Applications are completed online and must be done in a single session. Applications cannot be saved and reopened at a later time. Make sure and verify application deadline dates because they vary for Fall and Spring semesters.
Kirkland Community College – Rozelle B. Cram Endowed Scholarship
There are several scholarships offered to students enrolled in the Practical Nursing program. One that is offered is the Rozelle B. Cram Endowed Scholarship. The awarded amount is $500. In order to qualify, students must:
- Be enrolled in the Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting or Associate Degree in Nursing Program
- Demonstrate financial need
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
- Complete scholarship application and submit all requested documents by the deadline date
Western Iowa Tech Community College ( WITCC) Foundation Scholarships
WITCC Foundation scholarships are available to all students at the college. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Complete a Foundation Scholarship Application
- Be enrolled in a credit program full or part-time
If a foundation scholarship is awarded, it may be used for tuition, fees, books, program related expenses, room and student housing.
Places That May Help
The Larabee Center
Address: 201 E. Bremer Avenue Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: 319-352-2234
The Larabee Center was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit private care facility for those citizens with disabilities in the community of rural Waverly. Since that time, the organization has expanded to provide a wide variety of human services for the disabled, including employment placement and vocational training. The Larrabee Center offers Organizational Employment Services and is CARF accredited. Sheltered Work, Community Participation, and Education are the three main areas of focus for these services. Wages are paid for all vocational training and employment positions. Employment is available in processing goods, sub-assemblies, packaging, mailings, sorting, product inspections, stocking shelves, clerking, and janitorial duties.
Rural Employment Alternatives
Address: 495 Fourth Avenue Conroy, IA 52220
Phone: 319-662-4043
Rural Employment Alternatives operates to assist community members with disabilities to maintain independent and fulfilled lives by providing these individuals with various forms of human services. This nonprofit organization was established in 1980 and has provided help to countless citizens since that time. Currently, Rural Employment Alternatives offers different programs and services developed mainly to support disabled community members who would like to return to the workforce. REA gives participants the ability to utilize their supported employment program. The benefits of this program include training through job shadowing, emphasis on job seeking skills, job development, co-worker training and job coaching.
Free CNA Training might be available From these nursing homes
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.
Chautauqua Guest Home #3 – 302 Ninth Street Charles City, Iowa 50616
Cherokee Villa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center – 1011 North Roosevelt Cherokee, Iowa 51012
Childserve Habilitation Center – 5900 Pioneer Parkway Johnston, Iowa 50131
Clarence Nursing Home – Second And Smith Street Clarence, Iowa 52216
Clarke County Public Hospital – 800 South Filmore Osceola, Iowa 50213
Clc Altoona – 200 Seventh Avenue Sw Altoona, Iowa 50009
Clc Carroll – 500 Valley Drive Carroll, Iowa 51401
Forest City Good Samaritan Cen – 606 South 7th Street Forest City, Iowa 50436
Fort Dodge Villa Care Center – 2721 10th Avenue North Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
Fort Madison Health Center – 1702 41st Street Fort Madison, Iowa 52627
Fountain West Health Center – 1501 Office Park Road West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
Franklin General Hospital – 1720 Central Avenue East Hampton, Iowa 50441
Friendship Home Association – 714 Division Audubon, Iowa 50025
Friendship Manor Care Centre – 79 Sixth Avenue Grinnell, Iowa 50112
Monticello Nursing & Rehab Cen – 500 Pinehaven Drive Monticello, Iowa 52310
Montrose Health Center – 400 South 7th Street Montrose, Iowa 52639
Morning Sun Care Center – 200 Washington Morning Sun, Iowa 52640
Morningside Rehab & Care Cente – 600 Morningside Avenue Ida Grove, Iowa 51445
Mount Ayr Health Care Center – 1504 East South Street Mount Ayr, Iowa 50854
Muscatine Care Center – 2002 Cedar Street Muscatine, Iowa 52761
Nelson Manor – 1500 First Avenue East Newton, Iowa 50208
Nelson Nursing Home – 807-809 West Taylor Fairfield, Iowa 52556
New Hampton Care Center – 530 South Linn New Hampton, Iowa 50659
New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Ce – 703 South Fourth Avenue New Hampton, Iowa 50659
Westview Acres – 203 S W Lorraine Leon, Iowa 50144
Westview Care Center – 445 Eighth Avenue Sw Britt, Iowa 50423
Westview Of Indianola Care Cen – 1900 West Third Place Indianola, Iowa 50125
Westwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center – 3201 Stone Park Boulevard Sioux City, Iowa 51104
Wheatland Manor – 515 East Lincolnway Wheatland, Iowa 52777
Williamsburg Care Center – 100 Care Street Williamsburg, Iowa 52361
Well I know some in waterloo they offering free class in st Francis and parkview and rehab center if u got both in des Moines u might find some
Wondering if Fountain west health center is still offering free cna classes