You will need to complete a state approved training program with at least 75 instruction hours if you want to become a CNA in Louisiana. There are dozens of programs that can be located throughout the state. Programs must be approved by the Department of Health and Hospitals if you are to be eligible to sit for the certification exam. Follow the instructions below to get free training:
Contact the job placement offices and unemployment offices in your local community if you are not working or are low income and have an interest in training as a nursing assistant. It is often possible to access financial assistance for training if you are unemployed or receiving some type of welfare benefits and are looking to improve your situation. You might be able to receive the help you need to obtain free cna training.
Attempt to obtain employment with a nursing or other healthcare facility in your local area. Many health care providers especially retirement facilities and long-term care facilities will hire individuals to work for them for a specific amount of time. In exchange, they will pay all necessary fees associated with your nursing assistant training.
There are some healthcare facilities that will even provide you with employment while you are training to become a CNA. You can earn an income while you are also receiving your training. This is a good deal if you need employment while you become a certified nursing assistant.
CNA scholarships are available in most states. Scholarships are typically sponsored by local businesses and organizations. Talk to someone at the nursing assistant program of interest for details on where and how you can apply for scholarships to provide you with free cna training or help you to afford the training.
Nursing Related Scholarships in Lousiana
National Black Nurses Association, INC. – Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship
The Dr. Lauranne Sams scholarship is offered to students pursuing a career in nursing. In order to qualify for the scholarship, the applicant must:
- Be in good academic standing
- Be enrolled in a nursing program (LPN, BSN, AD, or Diploma)
- Be African American
- Be a member of NBNA and a local chapter is one exists
- Demonstrate financial need
The amount awarded is $2000 and all applications must be submitted by April 15th in order to be considered for the scholarship.
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) – TOPS Opportunity Award
TOPS Opportunity Award helps students pay for tuition at any of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities. In order to qualify for the award, the applicant must:
- Have a minimum ACT score of 20
- Have a High School GPA of at least 2.5 (core courses only)
- Be enrolled full-time
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be a resident of Louisiana
- Complete a FAFSA application
Make sure and complete the FAFSA and TOPS application and submit all requested documents by the deadline date.
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) – TOPS Performance Award
TOPS Performance Award helps students pay for tuition and fees at any of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities. It also provides an annual bonus of $400. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Have a minimum ACT score of 23
- Have a High School GPA of at least 3.0 (core courses only)
- Be enrolled full-time
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be a resident of Louisiana
- Complete a FAFSA application
Make sure and complete the FAFSA and TOPS application and submit all requested documents by the deadline date.
Places That May Be Able To Help
St. Martin Parish ARC
Address: 500 Lelia Street St. Martinville, LA 70582
Phone: 337-394-4928
St. Martin Parish ARC is located in the state of Louisiana and it is a regional branch of ARC, an organization committed to helping improve the lives of citizens who are affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although ARC offers a number of human services, their employment support is one of the most crucial programs they provide and can be accessed through a network of more than 700 state and local chapters of this organization. The goals of this program include helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain access to post-secondary education opportunities, including college and vocational training, promoting job advancement and ensure fair and reasonable wages and benefits.
Options – Hammond
Address: 19362 W. Shelton Road Hammond, LA 70401
Phone: 985-345-6269
Options is a nonprofit organization located in the city of Hammond, Louisiana. Founded in 1973, this organization’s mission is to provide resources for developmentally disabled citizens to live full lives with as much independence as possible. A variety of human services are offered to those in the community who need them most. One of the services provided is an employment program that ensures that those dealing with developmental disabilities can enter the workforce and find sustainable employment. Vocational training in a variety of employment fields, job placement and coaching, as well as supervised group work (such as shredding and janitorial services) are all made available to those who seek help through Options.
Nursing homes in Louisiana that might give CNA training for free
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.
Avoyelles Manor Nursing Home – 5682 Hwy. 107 South Dupont, Louisiana 71329
Azalea Villa Nursing And Rehab – 1306 W Admiral Doyle Dr New Iberia, Louisiana 70560
Baptist Retirement Center – 1355 Sixth Street Arcadia, Louisiana 71001
Basile Care Center – 2907 East Schambers Basile, Louisiana 70515
Baton Rouge Health Care Ctr. – 5550 Thomas Road Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70811
Eden Gardens Nursing Center – 7923 Line Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
Eunice Manor – 3859 Highway 190 Eunice, Louisiana 70535
Evangeline Oaks Guest House – 240 Arceneaux Road Carencro, Louisiana 70520
Fair Oaks Nursing And Rehabili – 1818 Highway 121 Hineston, Louisiana 71438
Fernandez Nursing Home – 2725 Bayou Road St Bernard, Louisiana 70085
Louisiana Guest House Of Baton – 7414 Sumrall Drive Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70812
Luling Living Center – 1125 Paul Maillard Rd Luling, Louisiana 70070
Lutheran Home Of New Orleans – 6400 Hayne Blvd. New Orleans, Louisiana 70126
M.Mcgregor Jones Health Ctr.. – 3316 Pine St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70125
Madison Parish Home For Aged – 701 North Chestnut St. Tallulah, Louisiana 71282
Magnolia Estates – 1511 Dulles Drive Lafayette, Louisiana 70506
Magnolia Manor Nursing And Reh – 1411 Claiborne Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71103
Ochsner Foundation Hosp Snf – 1516 Jefferson Hwy New Orleans, Louisiana 70121
Olive Branch Senior Care (The) – 32 Crothers Drive Tallulah, Louisiana 71282
Ollie Steele Burden Manor – 4200 Essen Lane Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
Opelousas General Hosp Snf – 520 Prudhomme Lane Opelousas, Louisiana 70570
Ormond Nursing & Care Center – 22 Plantation Road Destrehan, Louisiana 70047
Our Lady Of Lourdes Med Ctr Sn – 611 St. Landry Street Lafayette, Louisiana 70506
Our Lady Of Prompt Succor Nf – 954 E Prudhomme Lane Opelousas, Louisiana 70570
Hi i am a 29 yr old female that just moved here from dallas and would like to work in the medical field but i am not certified.
God Bless you sister. I was certified but lost mine because of some agency company did’nt do there job. Good Luck!!!
Hello, I am a 25 year old, female. I was recently working as a PCA and lost the patient I was working with because he is doing much better. I would like to continue in that line of work, but I am not certified and can’t afford the training at the time. I have a passion for taking care of people, and I would love to persue that passion within a career.
Good Luck on finding work sister. God Bless!!!
Hi I am a 48 year old and was certified as a nursing assiatant since 1990 and I work for many nursing homes, I loved my job but when I work for this agency company Maxiam Health Care they did not call the reistry board and let them know that I worked for them, so I lost my certification , and it is very hard for me to find a job. So here I am looking they say they need help but, when I apply for the job they don’t need help. All I do is keep praying for a job work with the elder something I am very good at. God Bless!!!
Hi, I am a retired accounts payable clerk who tried to change careers to the medical field (which is something I have always wanted to do), but once I recieved training in medical billing and coding, I could not land a position. I am researching medical assisting classes, but without funds or some type of income, that is hard to do. I am open to recommendations. Thank you, and God bless.
I am a 35 yrs old female i had my cna license and i didnt know that it expired in two years now i am without a job can you please tell me what i can do i am not employed right now
Call the board and the test is cheap, it’s in Baton Rouge and call nursing homes they pay for the test for you but you have to agree to work for the company for a year or so. GOD BLESS, I HOPE THIS INFO WAS HELPFUL FOR ANYONE WHO READING. good luck
Do you have a phone number in Baton Rouge
What nursing home ? I plan on relocating
I am a single mother of 3 beautiful kids. After getting out of a bad relationship I wanted a new meaning to life. I enrolled in a MA Program and strived extremely hard to keep up my 4.0GPA. I completed school in hopes of obtaining a great career in healthcare. Well it’s 5 months since my graduation and I am still broke and unemployed. My child support is not sending me all the money that I am obligated to get monthly. I recently removed 2 out of 3 fathers off of child support because I was not getting anything from them at all. Now after tiressly searching and appyling for jobs as a MA, I am devestated because is calling to hire me. I have a A-1 resume with true facts. My credentials are worthless to me now even after all the hardwork I put in during those long, and hard 8mths of triaing. As I log on to all the hospitals, nursing homes, and private duty job websites, Ain’t nobody looking for MA’S!!! These employers are looking for NA’S!! It hurts to say but now I’m looking for a place that I can go and train for free to become a Nursing Assistant. But once obtained and I know at least I can do that, I can have a greater chance in finding a great job!!! Signed a Mad Black MA…LOL
Can a person just take a test to recertified. And in Baton Rouge do you call to test.
I Am 55yrs Looking For can Training I Am On Ssi But Looking For Part Time Job I Am A College Grad allways worked as social now want to return to work force please call me if u can help (504)-358-5636
I am currently a part-time caregiver (2 night’s a week) with a home care agency which does not require a CNA certification. I would like to apply to other facilities that does. I am looking for FREE CNA TRAINING in My area – New Orleans, LA. I have worked as a CNA for 8 years in a nursing home between 1994-2002 while going to school for Occupational Therapy. I have an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant but have not worked in this field since 2005 when I returned home after Hurricane Katrina. Since 2007 I have been working part-time as a caregiver. Please help me find FREE CNA TRAINING in my area. Although it doesn’t pay much, I truly love this work.