Best Online CNA Classes in Oregon
Online CNA classes in Oregon open the door to a healthcare career with minimal time and money spent. This guide looks at top courses and what it takes to become a CNA.
If you want to make a difference in people’s lives in a tangible way, becoming a nurse can be a pathway to that goal. You can also gain experience in the nursing profession without spending the time and money on a nursing degree.
Online CNA classes in Oregon offer a quick, less stressful way to take your first steps into the medical field, whether you’re a new high school graduate or an experienced professional wanting to transition into healthcare.
To meet the demand for certified nursing assistants, online CNA classes in Oregon quickly train students to provide safe care to people in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health.
You may have already begun your search for the best online CNA classes in Oregon. Community colleges often offer affordable courses, but the choices and options may be confusing. That’s why we created this comprehensive guide to help you find a program that’s right for your needs. We explain how to become a CNA and discuss the earning potential for CNAs in Oregon. Finally, we answer important questions many prospective students have asked. Read on to discover how you can begin your new career in just a matter of weeks.
Inside Oregon’s Standout Online CNA Classes
To help you know what to look for in online CNA classes in Oregon, we put together a list of three top programs, in no particular order, as examples. We explore important features such as program length, format, tuition, and financial aid, so you can determine what class is right for you.
Linn-Benton Community College
Students looking for affordable online CNA classes in Oregon will appreciate the tuition-free, 113-hour hybrid Nursing Assistant Level 1 program at Linn-Benton Community College. It combines 73 hours of online learning and live skills labs with 40 hours of on-site clinical work at a long-term-care facility. Students gain interpersonal and communication skills while learning about general patient care, infection control, cultural aspects, and legal and ethical issues.
The college doesn’t charge tuition or application fees for this program. However, additional related fees cost around $600, including the required background check, drug test, labs, uniforms, vitals equipment, CPR certification and tuberculosis test cost. As a non-credit, special admission course, this class doesn’t qualify for financial aid, and students must apply to be accepted. Classes are limited to 10 students.
Applicants must submit a high school diploma or GED, proof of vaccinations, and an American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider CPR card. Students who are accepted must undergo a background check and drug screen, and must attend a mandatory orientation.
Rogue Community College
At Rogue Community College, students can complete the state-approved hybrid Nursing Assistant 1 program in four to five weeks, making them eligible to take the state certification exam. This course consists of 105 hours that include online and onsite training. During this time, students study nutrition, safety, physical and mental disease processes, infection control, and patient care. Clinical sites allow students to practice their skills under registered nurse supervision.
The first three weeks consist of 37 hours of online coursework and 28 hours of in-person labs that take place twice a week. The last part of the program is made up of clinicals at a local healthcare facility.
Tuition for this course costs $1,700. The class is eligible for VA tuition assistance, and students may also receive assistance through WorkSource Rogue Valley. Additional costs include a background check with fingerprinting, uniforms, laptop with internet access, AHA BLS Provider course, vaccinations, and TB test.
Treasure Valley Community College
The hybrid Nursing Assistant Course at Treasure Valley Community College is a 10-week, 110-hour program that includes required clinical hours and a CPR class. It’s divided into 40 hours of classroom instruction, 28 hours of labs, 40 hours of clinicals, and a two-hour final exam. Clinicals take place in 12-hour shifts at local healthcare agencies. Upon graduation, students receive a Certificate of Completion that allows them to take the OSBN state exam.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old, vaccinated, and in good health. They must have a high school diploma/GED or a college transcript with qualifying scores in writing and English. They must also pass a background check and drug screen and be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
In-state tuition is $725, and out-of-state tuition costs $800. Students must pay additional fees for their background check, drug screen, uniforms, licensing, and other supplies.
How to Become a CNA in Oregon Online
To become a certified nursing assistant in Oregon, there are specific steps you must take and requirements you must meet. These ensure that you are competent to practice as a CNA and provide safe care to the elderly population. We look at these steps and requirements in more detail below to give you an overview of what to expect.
Step 1: Meet Basic Background Requirements
The state of Oregon has no minimum age or educational requirements to become a CNA, but individual nursing assistant classes often require applicants to be at least 16 years old and to have a high school diploma or GED. To apply for a license, you must complete a state-approved CNA class, take the state board exam, and pass a background check. Other requirements, such as a drug screen and proof of vaccinations, are usually determined by the program.
Step 2: Graduate from an Approved CNA Program
The first major step toward becoming a certified nursing assistant in Oregon is completing an approved CNA program. According to the Board of Nursing, these must be at least 105 hours long and include 37 hours of classroom instruction (live or online), 28 hours of labs, and 40 hours of clinicals in a healthcare facility with an RN on duty. After successfully completing an approved CNA class, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion and be eligible to take the state board exam.
Step 3: Take the NNAAP Examination
Once you complete an approved CNA class, you are eligible to take the NNAAP exam, a tool the state uses to assess your competency to provide safe care. The exam costs $106 and consists of two sections: a written part that tests your knowledge of infection control, residents’ rights, and patient care; and a hands-on skills test where you demonstrate your ability to perform a nurse aide’s tasks. After passing the exam, you may apply to the State Board of Nursing for your CNA license.
Step 4: Start Working as a CNA
After becoming a licensed CNA, you’ll be eligible to work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health, and assisted living facilities. Your primary duties include assisting residents with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, walking, and going to the bathroom. You’ll also make beds, clean rooms, answer calls for help, pass on messages, and share important observations with the supervising nurse. As a CNA, you’ll need to notice details about residents’ condition that impact their care plan and well-being.
Step 5: Renew Your CNA License Periodically
You must renew your CNA license every two years and pay a $60 fee to keep it active. According to the Oregon State Board of Nursing, you must work a minimum of 400 hours under nurse supervision and complete two hours of cultural competency education to be eligible for renewal. You are not allowed to work with an expired license, but you can renew it up to 30 days after it expires by paying an additional fee.
Salary and Career Prospects for CNAs in Oregon
Two important factors to consider when deciding to become a CNA are possible salaries in healthcare and job opportunity. Oregon has a high demand for nursing assistants, and subsequently more generous salaries than other states. The projected growth rate for CNA jobs is 13%, which is significantly higher than the country’s average of 8.3%. This indicates that finding work will not be difficult, even for CNAs without experience. That said, location greatly affects both pay and job opportunity, with larger cities and more densely populated areas being far more profitable than rural areas.
Annual salaries range from $31,740 in Corvallis to $56,770 in Salem, the highest-paying city for the most experienced nursing assistants. Newly licensed CNAs should expect to earn closer to the 10th percentile range until they have more work experience. The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area is the best location in that regard, with an annual salary of $36,420. Grants Pass and Salem follow close behind as the next best prospects.
Median salaries for CNAs average around $40,000 per year, with the Portland area again coming out on top. In the 90th percentile, Salem tops the list with almost $5,000 more per year than Portland.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $34,840 | $41,360 | $51,190 |
| Albany, OR | $31,950 | $39,090 | $48,660 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | $34,740 | $39,690 | $48,700 |
| Corvallis, OR | $31,740 | $38,590 | $46,390 |
| Eugene, OR | $32,060 | $38,580 | $48,330 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $35,560 | $40,160 | $51,160 |
| Medford, OR | $32,590 | $38,470 | $48,150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $36,420 | $42,710 | $52,080 |
| Salem, OR | $35,190 | $41,360 | $56,770 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 115,300 | 8.3% | 187,000 |
| Oregon | 1,760 | 13% | 1,650 |
Source: Projections Central
Answering Your Questions About Online CNA Classes in Oregon
If you still have questions about taking online CNA classes in Oregon, you may find the answers below. We’ve collected and answered the top questions from prospective students as they prepare to become certified nursing assistants. Keep reading to find out the must-know information about program cost, length, and how clinical training works in an online setting.
Are there free CNA training programs in Oregon?
There are a few free CNA programs available in Oregon, including a paid training program at the Oregon Veterans Home at the Dalles that includes a substantial sign-on bonus after graduation. Marquis Companies offers a free four-week CNA class with job opportunities and a generous starting wage at one of their facilities upon completion.
Can you become a CNA online in Oregon?
You can complete the classroom instruction online and some of the skills labs, depending on the program. However, the clinicals must be completed on-site. Some CNA classes also require the labs to be done in person. Because you can’t complete all of the training online, most of the online CNA courses are considered hybrid ones.
How do online CNA classes incorporate clinical training?
Because clinicals must be done in person, many schools have established relationships with local healthcare facilities that can accommodate the students. These may be hospitals, long-term care centers, or assisted living facilities. In some cases, you may be able to choose a location near you and get it approved by the school.
How long is a CNA program in Oregon?
In Oregon, CNA courses range from 4 to 10 weeks in length and consist of at least 105 hours. Online programs allow you to complete the classroom coursework at your convenience. On-campus courses will involve a regular class schedule. Clinicals usually take place in the latter portion of the program.
How much do CNA classes cost in Oregon?
Depending on the class, you could get paid to take it or pay $1,500 or more. Programs like the one at the Oregon Veterans Home not only pay for all expenses, they also pay the students to take the class. Other free options simply pay the tuition from the college. Most class tuition costs $600 and up, with some charging up to $1,700.
What’s the fastest you can become an Oregon CNA?
Many classes exceed the state minimum of 105 hours to allow students extra time to master the necessary skills, so the shortest programs are four weeks long. Upon completion of an approved nursing assistant class, you can work up to 120 days as a CNA while taking the exam and applying for your license.
