Choosing a career path is a big decision. You want to make sure you are choosing the best one for you and your interests. If you are interested in becoming a CNA, then this blog post will help you navigate the process of finding classes in Washington state that meet all of your requirements such as cost, length, and more.
CNA Training Classes in Washington
Depending on the schedule, there are a few types of CNA classes in Washington- from online to on campus. For those looking for something during the weekday evenings, or even weekends, flexible class times have been made available.
Here is a list of Approved CNA Programs in Washington.
| Name Of School | Address | Phone No |
| Life Care Center Of Ritzville | 506 South Jackson Street, Ritzville, WA 99169 | (509) 659-1600 |
| Wenatchee Valley College | 1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801 | (509) 682-6800 |
| Chelan High School | 215 West Webster Avenue PO Box 369, Chelan, WA 98816 | (509)-682-4061 |
| Peninsula College | 1502 East Lauridsen Boulevard, Port Angeles, WA 98362 | (360) 452-9277, (877) 452-9277 |
| Avamere Olympic Rehabilitation of Sequim | 1000 South 5th Avenue, Sequim, WA 98382 | (360)-582-3900 |
| Clark College | 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663 | (360)-699-NEXT (6398) |
| Lower Columbia College | 1600 Maple Street, Longview WA 98632 | (360)-442-2311, (360) 442-2344 |
| Kelso School District | 601 Crawford Street, Kelso, WA 98626 | (360) 501-1900 |
| Frontier Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center | 1500 3rd Avenue, Longview, WA 98632 | (360) 423-8800 |
| Ferry County Memorial Hospital | 36 Klondike Road, Republic, WA 99166 | (509) 775-3333 |
Where can you Find Free CNA Training in Washington?
There are many pathways that you could take in order to pursue a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant. For example, the hospital you apply for will provide some training for its employees and then they found have an agreement with online certification programs. You could also find private programs available either through employers or your local community college. In addition, reimbursement is available in Washington State if you are receiving Medicaid benefits or through Medicaid waivers like nursing home care.
Lastly the armed forces provides access to free CNA training because of active service requirements and those who already have skills may be able to work as unpaid trainees. Finally the Nursing Board certifies CNAs so we can look into this organization for guidance on how we might get certified ourselves too.
How to Become a CNA in Washington?
In order to become a CNA in Washington, one must first choose the type of training they would like to complete. These include on-site training programs, online training programs, or apprenticeship. Once these decisions have been made there needs to be a clear path of meeting any prerequisites that apply for these choices. You will also need to attend an accredited CNA training program before you are able to take the exam and pass it with certification.
Prerequisites for CNA Courses in Washington
- To be 18 years or older
- Have a high school diploma or GED (Recommended)
- Good communication skills (Both reading and writing)
- Passing a physical exam
- Physically capable to lift up minimum 40 pounds and stand for long time periods
- Passing a criminal background check
- Having a current immunization and negative TB test
- Having a valid state issued ID card
How Long Does It Take To Become a CNA in Washington?
Certified training programs in Washington are designed to last for about 85 hours. Some facilities restrict the time length of these courses, while some extend it up to 100 hours.
| Classroom Session | 35 hours |
| Clinical Session | 50 hours |
| Total | 85 hours |
What You Will Learn During The Training?
The course work is divided into two sections: classroom and clinical session. The first section comprises the in-class learning sessions, which take relatively more time than the next one. These lectures cover a wide range of topics from theory to hands on training for practical techniques that nurses use when performing their duties during patient care visits or at hospitals/clinics.
The second session of clinical skills practice is the hands-on experience for all essential tasks to be performed by CNAs. Students are guided and supervised by their instructors who work at a health care setting where they are practicing, as well as nursing staff in charge of supervision. The students get used to real patients, emergency services, etc., only through this practical course that will teach them how it feels like when doing such tasks.
| Classroom Session |
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| Clinical Session |
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Procedure for The Washington CNA Certification Exam
After completing a CNA course in Washington, you can apply for the state certification exam 3 times within 24 months from your completion date. This test includes 2 sections: a written and clinical skills evaluation section. The written portion has 70 multiple choice questions that must be completed within two hours of taking the exam. Though this test can be taken orally, it must be mentioned in the examination application form. Cassette (including questions), cassette player and earphones are provided for this test.
In contrast to a typical written exam which requires you to answer multiple-choice or true/false problems as fast as possible while maintaining high accuracy rates, an oral exam may not have time limits at all! The first part of your oral English proficiency test will require that you solve 60 multiple choice questions on listening comprehension skills – but don’t worry if these seem easy because they aren’t too hard either! In comparison with the former part of the testing procedure which focuses on word recognition skills
The Skills Test is meant to evaluate a candidate’s clinical hands-on skills, by having them perform any 5 of the following 25 minutes. One skill that will be included in this test for sure is hand washing; it can’t miss!
| Exam Type | Question Type | Given Time |
| Written Test | 70 Multiple Choice | 120 Minutes |
| Practical Test | 5 Randomly Selected Skills | 25 Minutes |
Ensure you perform well in each CNA skill task, as a failure in even one will lead to complete failure. Failure on the written test or skills exam can be retested with only that part of the examination necessary if failed twice. If three attempts at any portion are not successful, then retake the entire course and take state certification exams for both portions again.
How Much Does Washington CNA Program Cost?
The CNA program in Washington can range from $500 to $1500 depending on the institute or college you choose, and how much study material is provided.
Is Financial Aid Available for CNA Program in Washington?
Yes, financial aid may be available. The state offers the WA KidSave Grant Program for Washington State CNA program students attending select community colleges and certain hospitals offering a nursing care education program. Grants are also available from your county’s district health department to assist with furthering your education. Finally, there is an annual Wall of Fame Scholarship offered by the Community Hospital Association of King County – this scholarship provides $500-$1,000 towards current or potential nurses in Washington State wards who will need financial assistance and study within one year after a grant has been received.
How Much Does a CNA Make in Washington?
The average income of nurse aides in this state is $33,800 annually. The entry-level candidates earn an annual salary of $20,000 while the experienced ones can make up to two times that much at around USD 40K a year on average.
Thank you for reading our blog post. We hope we have helped guide you through the process of finding a program that will suit all of your requirements and budget. If you would like more information, please visit our FAQ page or contact us directly with any questions on becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant.
