Do 4-Week Online CNA Programs Exist?
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) play an important role in patients’ lives, and becoming a CNA is an affordable entry point into healthcare. Yet many CNA programs take months to complete, which can be a barrier to completion for some students. Fortunately four-week online CNA programs are available, putting you on the fast track to earning a certificate or diploma. Continue reading to learn what to expect from these accelerated online programs and to find the one that’s right for you.
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Exploring 4-Week Online CNA Programs
An online CNA program is one of the fastest ways to enter the healthcare field. The online flexibility makes it easier to attend classes, and the clinical requirements occur either at a nearby campus or a pre-approved healthcare facility. But how fast can it be done? While most CNA programs take 4 to 6 months, accelerated online programs can help you finish in as few as four weeks.
Getting a CNA education in four weeks typically requires either taking 15 to 18 credits, having previously completed prerequisites, or getting credit for past work experience. Keep reading to learn more about some of today’s best fast-track CNA programs with online components, including costs, completion times, and admissions requirements.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Aspiring CNAs near Las Vegas area can quickly gain the necessary nursing knowledge and skills to take the Nevada State Board of Nursing exam. Offered through the University of Nevada— Las Vegas (UNLV), the Certified Nursing Assistant program allows students to obtain their state CNA certification in just over four weeks. The program consists of nursing theory classes, lab work, and clinical practice hours. Students receive instruction in a broad range of topics, including basic nursing skills, personal care skills, basic restorative services, infection control, emergency and safety procedures, and more.
Duration: Four weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $2,575
Admissions Requirements:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- High school diploma or equivalent or satisfactory completion of preadmission assessment
- Criminal background check
- Proof of immunizations
- CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) training
Curriculum:
- Infection control
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Safety and emergency procedures
- Personal care skills
- Psychosocial needs
- Restorative services and skills
- Basic nursing
- Online classes
- In-person labs
- In-person clinical hours
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Kansas offers a Certified Nurse Aide program in a four-week hybrid format. The 96-contact hour CNA program combines online lectures and other curriculum with in-person labs and clinical rotations. In-person classes are held at the Olathe Health Education Center in Olathe, Kansas, and at the state-of-the-art Healthcare Simulation Center located on JCCC’s main campus. Class times include mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Clinical rotation days, times, and locations also vary and are assigned by the course instructor. Following successful completion of this four-week hybrid CNA program, students are prepared for the Kansas State CNA examination.
Duration: Four weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $101/credit in-county, $121/credit in-state, $237/credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccines
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Negative TB screening
- Current Basic Life Support (CPR) for Health Care Providers card
- Background check
- Drug screen
- Two forms of ID
Curriculum:
- Bedside care
- Vital signs
- Positioning and transfers
- Hygiene
- Communication
- Infection prevention and control
- Online classes
- In-person labs
- In-person clinical hours
Northern Essex Community College
Students in the Merrimack Valley region, which covers parts of Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire, can prepare for CNA testing quickly and conveniently through the hybrid-format Certified Nurse Assistant/Certified Nurse Aide program at Northern Essex Community College (NECC). The program includes nursing theory coursework, hands-on labs in which students learn basic nursing aide skills in a simulated practice environment, and clinical experiences. Nursing theory content is delivered online and includes several synchronous virtual meetings using Zoom. Mandatory skills labs take place in person over one weekend in the Nursing Assistant Lab located on NECC’s Lawrence campus. Clinical rotations (25 total clock hours) are held off-campus at a program-affiliated long-term care facility.
Duration: 4 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $346/credit or free for eligible Massachusetts residents
Admissions Requirements:
- CNA program coordinator interview
- Photo ID
- Physical exam
- Immunization records, flu and COVID-19 vaccines
- Negative TB test
- Intermediate English reading and writing skills
- Criminal Offender Record Information background check
Curriculum:
- Communication
- Safety and infection control procedures
- Basic personal care skills
- Dementia care
- Vital signs
- Regulatory healthcare practices
- Online classes
- In-person labs
- In-person clinical hours
Grand Rapids Community College
The Certified Nurse Aide Training Program at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) provides students with the learning opportunities and hands-on skills training required for Michigan CNA licensure and practice as a nurse aid. The accelerated program option is full-time and lasts four or five weeks (depending on the specific section you enroll in). Students attend classes in person Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holland Home Raybrook Campus in southeast Grand Rapids. Students who successfully complete the entire four- to five-week CNA course of study are eligible to take the Michigan CNA exam leading to placement on the state’s Nurse Aide Registry.
Duration: 4 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $204/credit in-county, $433/credit out-of-county, $648/credit hour out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- COVID-19 vaccination
- WorkKeys Assessment Scores
- Submit records for required immunizations
- Computer Competency Badges
- Orientation meeting
Curriculum:
- Basic care
- Health monitoring
- Feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting
- Patient ambulation
- Online classes
- In-person labs
- In-person clinical hours
Houston Community College District
Houston Community College (HCC) is a system of 20 campuses in the Houston, TX, area. The fast-track Certified Nurse Aide course offered by HCC prepares individuals for entry-level employment as CNAs primarily in long-term patient care facilities, as well as hospitals, doctor’s offices, hospices, home health care, and other settings. The program consists of 108 contact hours of nursing theory coursework, simulation skills labs, and clinical rotations. Course sections are available at different dates and times throughout the year at several HCC campuses. Students complete the required 44 hours of clinical rotations off site at program-approved nursing facilities throughout the Houston area. Graduating students are eligible to take the Texas Nurse Aide Competency Exam and qualify for placement on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.
Duration: 4 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $895
Admissions Requirements:
- Required immunizations
- Background check and drug screening
- CPR Certification for Healthcare Provider or Professional Rescuer course
- Social Security card and valid photo ID
- Ability to read, write, understand, and speak English
- Suitable physical and emotional health
Curriculum:
- Patient rights
- Communication
- Safety
- Observation
- Reporting
- Assisting in basic comfort and safety
- Online classes
- In-person labs
- In-person clinical hours
FAQs About 4-Week Online CNA Classes
While the spotlights above provide a comprehensive picture of what individual programs look like, they don’t address all the nitty gritty details, like how to become a CNA or what’s the shortest possible program length. Ahead, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these programs.
What is the shortest duration CNA program?
Some CNA programs can be completed in as little as two weeks. That said, two week programs may not be offered in your area and are quite time intensive, meaning you likely need to devote two weeks of uninterrupted time to the program. A less intense but still quick alternative is four week CNA programs. When deciding between programs make sure you find one that meets your state’s CNA requirements and that you can satisfy all course prerequisites.
How long do most CNA programs take to complete?
A CNA license can take anywhere from two weeks to six months to complete. The exact timing depends on course prerequisites (no-GED programs tend to be longer) and the intensity of the coursework. Accelerated programs are great because they can be more affordable than slower programs and let you become a licensed CNA faster. However, given their intensity, accelerated programs are difficult to balance with work and life obligations. Plus, they require you to learn the skills and knowledge much faster.
Do 4-week CNA classes really exist?
Yes, many high-quality four week CNA programs are available. When looking for a four-week program, make sure it’s accredited and aligns with your state’s CNA licensure requirements. In most states, CNAs also have to take an exam, so finding a program that prepares you for the CNA exam is critical. You may also want to check out a program’s financial aid options, since scholarships and flexible payment options are important financial considerations.
