Top Online CNA Classes in Kansas
Discover some of the best online CNA classes Kansas students can choose from, learn about the certification process, explore your earnings potential and career outlook, and much more.
Are you eager to begin a career in healthcare that will allow you to personally care for people who truly need you? If so, becoming a CNA is a great way to start. Besides the satisfaction you’ll gain from your work, you’ll also learn a tremendous amount about professional nursing. In fact, many CNAs are inspired — and well-prepared — to take their careers to a higher level by pursuing more advanced nursing education down the road.
So, if becoming a CNA is what you have your heart set on, the online CNA classes Kansas students can choose from offer a top-tier education to help you get trained and into the workforce in a surprisingly short amount of time. In general, CNA training programs with virtual components are much easier to fit into your busy lifestyle. And in this guide, we’ll spotlight a few standout programs to show you exactly how it works. After that, we’ll chart your road to certification, explain what the data says about your earning potential and employment prospects, and answer lingering questions. Don’t wait to start your journey; your quest for knowledge begins right here.
Inside Kansas’s Standout Online CNA Classes
There are plenty of online CNA classes Kansas students can consider, but you’ll have to do a bit of research to find the right fit. What should be at the top of your list? Look for flexibility, affordability, and a high-quality educational experience. Furthermore, the very best online CNA classes often feature other benefits, such as financial aid or scholarships. To get started, keep reading for spotlights of a few excellent online CNA classes Kansas students may want to move to the top of their list.
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) gives students an impressive variety of scheduling options in its CNA program. Learners have a choice of four-week, eight-week, or 16-week completion timeframes and can attend class in the daytime, afternoon, evening, or on certain Saturdays. In addition to all of this, the hybrid option allows students to complete curriculum components online and labs and clinicals in person. Graduates are prepared to take the Kansas CNA test.
The cost of the program at JCCC depends on where you live. The program costs $485 for residents of Johnson County, $580 for residents of other Kansas counties, or $1,140 for out-of-state residents. Furthermore, the program is eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship, which covers tuition, books, and other approved expenses. Students who graduated from a public or private high school in Kansas in the last 12 months or who have been Kansas residents for the preceding three consecutive years qualify for the scholarship. In exchange, they commit to living and working in Kansas for two years.
NCK Tech
Students who enroll in NCK Tech’s CNA program learn basic nursing skills that they can apply in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates are fully prepared to take the Kansas CNA test; the CNA program curriculum was developed using a curriculum by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). The CNA program is available in both on-campus and hybrid formats during the fall, spring, and summer semesters; prospective students can view current course schedules online. To be eligible for admission, applicants must be 16 years old before the end of the course.
The price of the program is $70 for high school students and $789 for post-secondary students; costs include a PDF of the required book. Furthermore, NCK Tech offers a number of institutional scholarship and sponsorship opportunities. The program is also eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship.
Mid-America College of Health Sciences
The nurse aide program at Mid-America College of Health Sciences offers students a comprehensive education and maximum flexibility. Classes are available on the following schedules: accelerated, hybrid, weekday evening, and weekend. Depending upon the specific option selected, the program can be completed in 12 days to six weeks. Furthermore, the training provides the 90 clock hours required by the state of Kansas. These are broken down into 45 didactic hours (completed online in the hybrid option), 20 hours of on-campus labs, and 25 hours of clinicals at KDADS-approved facilities.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old. In addition, prospective students must earn their CPR and basic life support certification from the American Heart Association prior to applying. Tuition for the program is $885, and there’s a $25 nonrefundable registration fee. However, many financial aid opportunities are available through programs including Great Jobs KC, Kansas Workforce Partnership, and more.
How to Become a CNA in Kansas Online
Researching online CNA classes Kansas students can consider is an important first step in your journey toward becoming a CNA. However, it’s also crucial to understand the other steps to certification. Keep reading to learn what else you’ll need to do to get started in the field.
Step 1: Meet Basic Background Requirements
Most online CNA classes Kansas students can choose from require you to be at least 15 years old and reach your 16th birthday by the end of the program. In addition, you’ll need a clean background check and drug screen, proof of TB testing and immunizations, and a reasonable level of physical fitness that will enable you to perform the regular CNA duties — this usually entails being able to push/support and lift at least 50 pounds.
Step 2: Graduate from an Approved CNA Program
In Kansas, approved CNA training programs use the curriculum guidelines developed by KDADS. These guidelines ensure that the program delivers instruction in line with the standards set forth by KDADS and prepares graduates to pass the state certification test. To verify that a program is approved by the state of Kansas, refer to the list of approved programs provided by the Health Occupations Credentialing office.
Step 3: Take the Kansas State Exam
To become certified in Kansas, you’ll need to score at least 75% on the state exam written by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The exam is timed and contains two sections — a written portion with 100 questions and a skills demonstration. You’ll have two hours to complete the written portion, which contains questions on topics such as basic nursing skills, infection control, cognitive impairment, and residents’ rights. The skills assessment requires you to demonstrate competency in five basic nursing skills over a span of 30 minutes.
Step 4: Start Working as a CNA
Most commonly, CNAs in Kansas work in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. However, CNAs are qualified for work in almost any healthcare setting, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, home health organizations, and more. On a day-to-day basis, your main duties will involve assisting patients with activities of daily living — this means tasks such as dressing, bathing, walking, and eating. CNAs also take vital signs, communicate with the healthcare team and family members, and more.
Step 5: Renew Your CNA License Periodically
Your certification will automatically renew every two years as long as you keep it active. To do so, you must be able to prove that you have worked as a CNA for at least eight consecutive hours at a qualifying facility in the preceding two-year period (work performed in a doctor’s office or clinic does not qualify). If your certification becomes inactive, you’ll have to take an approved refresher course or get an RN at a long-term care facility or hospital to administer a skills checklist.
Salary and Career Prospects for CNAs in Kansas
An important part of your research into online CNA classes Kansas students may want to enroll in is to investigate your earning potential and employment prospects. After all, your credentials won’t be worth much if you can’t find decent-paying employment. Let’s examine the earnings and employment outlook for CNAs in Kansas.
As far as earnings potential, CNAs statewide bring in a median income of $31,880. And when looking at specific metropolitan areas, you’ll see that median wages don’t vary significantly from this. Overall, though, CNAs are poised to earn a bit more in Topeka, where the median salary is $33,690. The lowest median figure is in Wichita, where the average salary for CNAs is $31,100. Interestingly, though, Wichita is also the region with some of the highest earners in the state—CNAs in the 90th percentile earn $38,770.
Employment prospects for CNAs in Kansas are fair. Compared to the 8.3% national projected growth rate for the profession over the next ten years, demand for CNAs in Kansas is a bit slower at 4.4%. Despite this, a positive growth rate means that demand is expected to steadily increase at an even pace, so new CNAs should be able to find employment.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $27,980 | $31,880 | $40,530 |
| Lawrence, KS | $28,450 | $31,360 | $36,630 |
| Manhattan, KS | $27,600 | $30,510 | $37,260 |
| Topeka, KS | $28,570 | $33,690 | $38,580 |
| Wichita, KS | $27,890 | $31,100 | $38,770 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 115,300 | 8.3% | 187,000 |
| Kansas | 970 | 4.4% | 2,830 |
Source: Projections Central
Answering Your Questions About Online CNA Classes in Kansas
By now, you’re well informed on most of what it takes to earn your credentials through online CNA classes Kansas students may want to enroll in. But you might still have a few questions, and that’s completely normal. Keep reading to discover answers to some of the most common questions asked by prospective online CNA students in Kansas.
At what age can you get your CNA in Kansas?
To earn your CNA in Kansas, you’ll need to be at least 16 years old. However, many programs allow you to enroll at 15 provided that your 16th birthday will occur by the end of the program. In fact, quite a few courses offer reduced tuition for high school students.
Can I get my CNA online in Kansas?
Although there are plenty of CNA classes in Kansas that offer hybrid learning, none of them are offered 100% virtually. This is because learning any type of nursing skill requires hands-on experiences that can only be provided through in-person clinicals and labs.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Kansas?
KDADS requires approved courses to consist of 90 clock hours—45 hours of didactic learning and 45 hours of labs and clinicals. These hours can be completed on many different timelines, but the average is four weeks to 12 weeks. Accelerated courses, however, condense this into an even shorter duration — the program at Mid-America College of Health Sciences, for example, takes only 12 days.
How long is the Kansas CNA test?
The test has two parts, the written portion and the skills assessment. The written portion contains 100 questions, and test takers must complete it in two hours. Test takers also get 30 minutes to demonstrate competency in five areas during the skills assessment.
How much do CNA classes cost in Kansas?
Obviously, tuition totals vary from program to program. CNA classes in Kansas generally cost between $700 and $900, with most falling around the $800 mark. Many programs offer financial assistance and scholarships to offset this cost, and some, such as Highland Community College, offer tuition waivers for high school students.
What can a CNA do in Kansas?
According to the Kansas Department of Administration, certified nurse aides are qualified to render basic nursing-related services to residents in adult care homes, hospitals, and other healthcare settings and assist with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, oral care, and toileting.
