To learn which locations offer free CNA training in Arkansas, students should first check with ADH In-Home Health & Hospice and nursing homes and other long-term residential care facilities, especially those in the rural communities where training programs in college, universities and technical schools are not as readily available. Arkansas Dept of Health usually provide free classes for candidates who want to become certified nurse aides. These classes run for 5 days and have a total of 40 training hours which would help you learn everything you need. Often, nursing homes and other long-term residential health centers also offer certified nursing assistant training programs at little or no cost with the possibility of employment upon successful completion and following state certification.
CNA TRAINING FAQ:
Where is the best place to work as a CNA in Arkansas?
- Home Health Aide Agency requires a CNA to travel to the patient’s home and assist them with daily basic activities such as feeding, bathing, transferring or moving, and personal care tasks that they are unable to perform themselves.
- Nursing Home – where CNAs are mostly employed.
- Hospitals and clinics.
What is the next level of nursing after CNA?
As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you can advance your career and become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). These careers are estimated to grow up to 15% over the next seven years.
Is it hard to get hired as a CNA?
Certified Nursing Assistants are in high demand across the United States so it isn’t hard to get hired as a CNA. Many CNAs also continue their education and advance into becoming RNs or LPNs so there are vacancies for new CNAs.
How long is the exam?
The written exam is 90 minutes while the clinical exam is around 40 minutes depending on the skills assigned.
How long does it take to get my CNA certificate?
It will be sent to you through mail 2-3 weeks from the test date.
How many times can I retake the CNA exam?
You will be permitted to take the test three times within two years of completing your CNA training. You only need to retake the section that you didn’t pass.
WIA Approved Training centers to get Free CNA Training in Arkansas
Community College of Rhode Island – 400 East Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886-1807 | 401.333.7336 | cnaprogram@ccri.edu
Northwestern Connecticut Community College – Park Place East, Winsted, CT 06098 | Phone: 860-738-6300
Choose a state from the below list or continue reading:
CNA Certification Information
To gain your certification in Arkansas, you will be required to complete the classroom and skills portion of the studies, in total this comes to about 90 hours of training which is compulsory before you can attempt the exam. Once you have completed your required hours of classroom based training you can then move on to apply for the certification exam within 2 years of completion, failure to do so in this time will result in you being forced to take the classes again.
During the 12 weeks of classroom studies you will go through the following things:
● nursing skills
● safety
● hygiene
● life support
● nutrition
● infection control
● clinical anatomy
● physiology
While working as a CNA, your tasks will be as follows:
● Learn the patient help signals
● re-positioning patients to help them avoid bedsores
● feed patients by mouth or gastric tube
● monitor alarms, vital signs, and fluid charts
These skills will be taught to you in the classroom to better prepare you for the work environment, so don’t panic.
Once you finish all your education bits, you will then be eligible to take on the competency test which is in both written and manual skills test. After successful completion of both exams, candidates will have to go through a thorough background check to see if they have any history with violence or any such actions which would be deemed as unacceptable to become a nurse.
CNA Certification through Reciprocity:
It is possible to transfer an existing CNA certificate from another state to Arkansas. What you have to do is to verify with the nursing board in AR that you have attended a proper cna course and have completed the required hours of skills training, also you have to have your current certification from another state which should not be expired or revoked.
This is what you do: Attach your state issued identity card together with a copy of your existing certificate from your former state, also include your social security number and send all this info to the following address:
Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services – Division of Medical Services
Office of Long Term Care – Little Rock, AR 72203-8059
LICENSE TRANSFER FROM ARKANSAS TO ANOTHER STATE.
- Complete an application for a new CNA license for the state you are moving to.
- Submit a current and active official copy of your CNA license from your current state.
- Provide proof of continuous employment as a CNA from your employer in your current state.
- Submit a form for criminal background check.
CNA Training in Arkansas
Individuals can become a certified nursing assistant in the state of Arkansas according to the standards of the Department of Health upon successful completion of state approved course work and certification exam at an approved testing site. Training programs will adequately prepare students to sit for this exam. All programs are at least 90 hours and range from 1 week to a full semester in length. The cost of these programs is between $0 and $1200, though some long-term care facilities offer free training programs. Payment plans are available colleges and technical schools. In some locations that offer free training, students may be eligible to receive payment during the clinical portion of the program with an established commitment to that facility. Below is a list of approved CNA programs in the state of Arkansas:
South Arkansas Community College – 300 South West Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730
The South Arkansas Community College CNA program requires students to complete 15 credit hours. Courses for the CNA program meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. First Aid CPR class is held online during the semester. Other requirements include computer and reading competency. Tuition is $1065 plus additional fees for books and other program related supplies. For more details on the program, contact the Skills Instructor at 870-875-7281.
University of Arkansas Community College – 2500 South Main, Hope, AR 71801
The University of Arkansas Community College CNA Program provides courses of instruction and experience that will prepare individuals to be a qualified member of a health care team. This is a 7 credit program in which students will be prepared as a nursing assistant in the clinical setting. Tuition for program is $413 plus additional fees for health profession courses including books, supplies and certification. For more information on this program, call 870-777-5722.
University of Arkansas Community College – Batesville | (870) 612-2139 or toll free (800) 508-7878.
The Certified Nursing Assistant program is a 7 credit hour program combining classroom instruction with clinical training, preparing students to be a qualified member of a health care team. Cost of this program is $420 plus additional fees for health profession courses including books, supplies and certification.
Phillips Community College 1210 Ricebelt Ave. Hwy 165, DeWitt, Arkansas 72042
The Phillips Community College CNA program requires the successful completion of 10 credit hours of study from enrolled students. Coursework is divided between classroom instruction and clinical experience. The cost of the CNA program is $900 plus additional fees for books, supplies and certification. For more information on this program at the DeWitt, Stuttgart, or Helena campus, call the Program Coordinator at 870-946-3506.
Northwest Arkansas Community College One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712
The Certified Nursing Assistant program at Northwest Arkansas Community College is a one-semester course offered in Bentonville. The cost of this program is offered at no charge to high school students and meets from 7:30 – 9:00 am in Burns Hall. Students are required to pay the $105 fee for drug tests and background check. For more information on this program, call 479-936-5130.
Arkansas Northeastern College 2501 S. Division Blytheville, AR 72315
The Arkansas Northeastern College Nursing Assistant Course is an eight week certificate program that provides the required 90 hours of training by the Arkansas Department of Health. The Nursing Assistant Course provides instruction on the fundamentals of nursing by means of lectures, discussions, and videos in the classroom along with skill demonstration and validation in the clinical laboratory. The estimated total cost of the program is $876 and includes tuition, immunizations, text books, and other fees. For more information on this program, call 870-780-1228
CNA School of North East Arkansas – 108 Nathan Street | Marked Tree, AR 72365 | 870-588-5544
Compassion Certified Nursing Assistant School – 600 Lelia Street | Magnolia, AR 71753 | 870-235-1415
Perry County CNA Training Center – 1115 Aplin Avenue | Perryville, AR 72126 | 501-889-2422
Texarkana Nursing Academy – 718 East 5th Street | Texarkana, AR 71854 | 870-772-6860
Arkansas Academy for Nursing Assistants – 1501 Lincoln Street | Lonoke, AR 72086 | 501-940-1914
Clark County Community Education – 3021 Twin Rivers Drive | Arkadelphia, AR 71923 | 870-246-6337
COLLEGE REVIEWS:
South Arkansas Community College:
This college is the perfect place, very affordable and personalized education. It is a great place to start working toward your future. All the staff and professors are so helpful and willing to assist students.
Phillips Community College:
The staff are helpful, knowledgeable and take the time to get to know you which I truly appreciate.
CNA SALARY INFORMATION – ARKANSAS.
The average nursing salary for CNAs in Arkansas typically ranges from $23,000 to $26,000.
The job location and work area are important pay scale criteria. Locals with a high cost of living pay higher than locals with a low cost of living.