You can become a nursing assistant in the state of South Carolina by attending a training course that has been approved for the state. It is also necessary to take and pass all portions of the nursing assistant certification test. Most training courses do carry a fee but there are some opportunities for free cna training. For a full list of options read below:
There are various community based programs that can help you cover the cost of CNA training In South Carolina. For example, Goodwill Industries has been partnering with the Advance Nursing Education Center to offer free CNA training to eligible candidates. There are various criteria that must be met. You need to have a low income and be disabled or disadvantaged in some way. The program is intended to help you obtain training for a good career.
CNA training in South Carolina can sometimes be obtained through medical facilities. These facilities often offer nursing assistant training. They will sometimes provide free CNA training for individuals who will then work for the facility for a certain amount of time (often 6 months to 1 year). You can start on the path of your new career by taking advantage of free training offers in your area.
If you have already paid for nursing assistant training, you might be able to get your money back. Many employers will (some are even required to) pay for your nursing assistant training program. Keep records of the expenses you paid for training.
Direct Training Opportunities
Department Of Mental Health
Richland County, South Carolina at the C. M. Tucker Campus, 2200 Harden Street. They have an open trainee position where you have the chance of receiving training and then appearing for the certification exam for SC. There are no mimimum requirements or qualifications for the position. Find more details at: http://goo.gl/Wdoay
Remember that since this is state employment, the benefits will be excellent!
Project Hope
As part of the drive to get more people employed in heatlhcare, Project Hope was formed to provide training in those in demand careers that have reasonable salaries. You can receive free training as part of this initiative if you’re receiving benefits from TANF or SNAP or are part of the foster youth system. You might also be eligible for this if you’re in a low income household.
A range of healthcare career training is provided including, free phlebotomy and dental assisting training.
The Boot camps are located in Florence, Greenwood, Beaufort and Columbia. For more information and to get the application checklist, please visit: https://dss.sc.gov/projecthope/
(Thank you Susan for letting us know about this opportunity!)
Nursing Related Scholarships in South Carolina
First United Methodist Church (FUMC), Cheraw South Carolina – FUMC Scholarships
First United Methodist Church offers eight scholarships in the amount of $200 to $1500. The scholarships are awarded to local high school seniors or students enrolled in an accredited two or four year college or technical school. In order to qualify, the applicant must submit:
- An official copy of their high school transcript
- A copy of their acceptance letter to college
- Two letters of recommendation
The completed application and requested documents must be submitted by April 15th each year in order to be considered for the eight scholarships.
Aiken Technical College Foundation – Hospital Auxiliary of Aiken County
The Hospital Auxiliary of Aiken County offers four scholarships in the amount of $1000 to students enrolled full-time in a nursing, radiologic technology, surgical technology, or expanded dental assisting program. A scholarship will be given to one recipient from each of the listed programs. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Be enrolled in Aiken Technical College
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
York Technical College Foundation – Alfred and Myrtle Huddleston Memorial Scholarship
The Alfred and Myrtle Huddleston Memorial Scholarship is offered to students at York Technical College who are pursuing a career in the Allied Health field. The awarded amount is a minimum of $500 per year and must be used for tuition, books and other program related costs. In order to qualify for the scholarship, the applicant must:
- Demonstrate financial need
- Have a GPA of at least 2.0 or higher
- Demonstrate leadership qualities
- Maintain full-time enrollment
Places That May Be Able To Help
SC Works Veterans Come First Program-Columbia Office
700 Taylor St / 701 Hampton St, Columbia, SC 29201
With this program, Veterans will be the first to be served by a workforce employee when they are at a SC Works office. If an individual is a veteran, he or she will also be the first to receive current WIA services.
Vocational Rehabiliation-Charleston
4360 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29405
Individuals with disabilities can apply for vocational rehabilitation services throughout their local work training center. Men and women can qualify for a range of services with the end goal of the individual achieving their maximum level of independence and self sufficiency. Job counseling and career matching is possible.
Jobs for America’s Graduates-Allendale Center
398 Barnwell Hwy, Allendale, SC 29810
Jobs for America’s Graduates is intended to help keep student’s from dropping out of school. The organization works to help those facing low income circumstances and other challenges. The program provides academic support as well as counseling. SC Works centers can aid individuals in applying for benefits.
Nursing homes in South Carolina 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. Those with current vacancies are more likely to hire trainees.
Agape Nsg & Rehab Ctr – 300 Agape Drive West Columbia, South Carolina 29169
Allen Bennett Mem Hosp Snf – 313 Memorial Drive Greer, South Carolina 29651
Anne Maria Rehab & Nursing Ctr – 1200 Talisman Drive North Augusta, South Carolina 29841
Carolina Village Hlth Care Ctr – 2993 Van Valin Drive Rock Hill, South Carolina 29732
Carriage Hill Plantation – 550 East Gate Dr Aiken, South Carolina 29804
Central Carolina Hlth & Rehab – 2451 Forest Dr Columbia, South Carolina 29204
Charleston Nursing Center – 921 Bowman Rd Mt Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
Cherokee Co Ltc Facility – 1434 N Limestone St Gaffney, South Carolina 29340
Chester County Nursing Center – 1 Medical Park Drive Chester, South Carolina 29706
Edgefield Health Care Center – 1 Wa Reel Dr Edgefield, South Carolina 29824
Ellen Sagar Nursing Home – 1817 Jonesville Highway Union, South Carolina 29379
Fountain Inn Nursing Home – “P.O. Box 67, 501 Gulliver St” Fountain Inn, South Carolina 29644
Medford Place – 105 Medford Drive Darlington, South Carolina 29532
Methodist Manor – 2100 Twin Church Road Florence, South Carolina 29505
Morrell Memorial Conv Ctr – 900 North Marquis Hwy Hartsville, South Carolina 29551
Mountainview Nursing Home – 340 Cedar Springs Rd Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302
Mullins Nursing Center – 518 S Main Street Mullins, South Carolina 29574
Myrtle Beach Manor – 9547 Highway 17 North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29572
N Greenville Hosp Sac – 807 N Main Travelers Rest, South Carolina 29690
Newberry Co. Mem. Hosp. Tcu – 2669 Kinard Street Newberry, South Carolina 29108
To inform you: I called Edisto Convalescent Center, located in Orangeburg,SC they do not offer free CNA training or of any kind. Thanks to your website I wasted an hour of time.
Hi Romairo, Thank you for letting us know about Edisto. We’re very sorry our list wasn’t helpful. We’ve tried our best to find opportunities in every state. The list above is meant to help people get started by providing them a list of the highest rated nursing homes. Sometimes nursing homes change their rules or do not offer training. We will keep trying to make sure our lists are updated and helpful to our readers. Have you tried other ways to find free training? Perhaps our article at http://cnatraininghelp.com/free-cna-training/ might be helpful in some way. Again, our sincere apologies and thank you for the update.
Hello. There is an opportunity in Florence,Columbia,Greenwood,and Beaufort for those who are low income,on SNAP,or on TANF to receive free CNA or other healthcare training. Here is the website link so that those interested can receive more information: https://dss.sc.gov/projecthope/
As far as I know,this opportunity is only offered certain times a year,and within South Carolina.
Thank you so much Susan! We really appreciate this!
Does anybody know how I can get a SC CNA reciprocal/ renewal without having to go through an eighty hour CNA course again. I am from NC and I have been a CNA since 1977, I have both a CNA -i and CNA -II from NC and PearsonVue will not except it without proof. i have taken a 80 hour courses three times back in 1984,1990, and 2000. In the year 2000,when I took the CNA course again, this time a refresher course. I got my NC CNA and a SC CNA.
Unfortunately in 2010, I let my SC CNA expired. When I tried to get proof that I took the course, I found out that the schools I took the CNA courses from, no longer keep records of it after about 10 years. If I had known I was going to have this much trouble renewing my SC CNA and trying to get a reciprocal, I would never have let it expired I also have a Florida and Virginia CNA and I did not have this much trouble getting it. I want to move and live and work in SC, but not if can’t get a SC CNA. Any suggestions. Thank you. Trudi.
Hello i have been trying my hardest to take another cna course but i cant afford the class. Is there anyone out there that can guide me in the right direction. Thank u in advance
Hello, i am intrested in trying to find a free CNA training program in aiken. i am a high school drop out and am currently getting my GED and i have a friend who work for a nursing home(Pruitt Health) . I asked her how was she able to work there and she told me something about aiken tech offering 6 week courses but i still dont know if they still do this or if me not having a diploma/equivalence will stop me for getting my CNA im just lost and need help. if you have any information that will help me i would really appreciate it please and thank you.