Online CNA Classes in Virginia: Compare Top Schools and More
Do you want to dip your toes into the healthcare profession, but are not sure where to start? Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be a good introduction to the field. It also can be a solid stepping stone for future opportunities when you’re ready to advance. To find out how to become a CNA, continue reading this page to learn all you need about the nuts and bolts of CNA classes, how to earn a license, and more.
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Online CNA Programs in Virginia: A Comparison
Becoming a certified nursing assistant has fewer barriers to completion thanks to online CNA classes in Virginia, which are flexible and allow you to study from home. However, although some coursework can be completed online, keep in mind that you will also be required to travel to campus for hands-on learning.
These hybrid courses allow you to deepen your online learning and develop the skills that you’ll need to get a CNA license in Virginia. To help you choose the best online CNA classes in Virginia, here are some affordable, accredited, and comprehensive program options. Review these schools to get a glimpse of what you can expect during CNA education.
Nurse Aide/Medication Aide Career Studies Certificate — Brightpoint Community College
At Brightpoint Community College, you can major in the Nurse Aide/Medication Aide Career Studies Certificate (CSC) program. This course is designed to prepare new students to earn their nurse aide certification or for current CNAs to become medication aides.
In this 16-credit course, you’ll learn how to handle various patient needs, work with a healthcare team, and administer care including medications. You’ll become a well-trained aide ready to dive into the healthcare field.
Additionally, you’ll also have a chance for a coordination internship that includes hands-on training and laboratory hours. When you’re finished with your studies, you can take the CNA and medication aide exams.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $164.40 per credit in-state; $379 per credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Current CPR certification through the American Heart Association
- Submit to a criminal background check and drug screening
Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to familiarize students with the healthcare technician duties, as well as medical terminology and medication administration. Patient safety, including first aid best practices, is also emphasized.
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Nursing Assistant I Training Program — Richmond Community College
Not far from the state of Virginia, you can choose to attend Richmond Community College’s Nursing Assistant I course. This college in North Carolina offers in-person and hybrid classes that are suitable for people living on the southern border of Virginia or who wish to be dually certified in NC and VA.
The course includes 166-172 contact hours and involves traditional classroom teaching, lectures, videos, and hands-on learning. Day and evening classes are available, or you can go with the hybrid option that mixes online learning with classroom lectures and hands-on study.
Once you’ve finished the course, you may wish to take the Nursing Assistant II advanced course or the Medication Aide course for licensed CNAs to further develop your knowledge and skills. These are available solely on campus.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $76 per credit in-state; $268 per credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- A score of 250 or higher on the Accuplacer Next Generation Reading test
- Proof of current immunization record, physical examination, and TB skin result
Curriculum: The coursework gives students the knowledge and skills they need to handle the responsibilities of a nursing assistant. Specifically, you will learn about infection control procedures, taking vital signs, and how to respond to basic emergencies.
Nurse Aide Education Workforce Credential — Virginia Peninsula Community College
If you’re searching for online CNA classes in Virginia, the Nurse Aide Education Workforce Credential at Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) will give you the training you need. At VPCC, you’ll learn how to provide long-term care for clients while being supervised by a licensed nurse.
The program entails 148 hours of study over the course of eight weeks. It features a 40-hour clinical internship so you can get hands-on experience. A hybrid program is available. Lab and clinical practice hours are included, but you’ll need to complete them on campus.
Upon completion, you’ll be prepared to take the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam and earn CNA certification.
Duration: 2 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $160.61 per credit in-state; $337.21 per credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Passing grade on literacy test
- Pass background check and drug test
Curriculum: The curriculum prepares you to meet the physical, psychological, and social needs of patients. You’ll learn how to care for patients, communicate effectively, prevent infections, and provide proper nutrition, among other topics.
CNA Student FAQs: Your Questions, Answered
Embarking on a new career, especially one as involved as a certified nursing assistant, can leave you with plenty of questions. We’ve gone over how CNA classes work and what will be expected of you when you enroll in a program, but there may be some details that still need some answers. Let’s address some common questions from CNA students like you.
Are there 4-week online CNA programs in Virginia?
If you choose to study nursing, many of these programs will last an entire semester, but there are four-week CNA programs available in Virginia. Virginia requires 140 hours of instruction at minimum, which could be completed in three-and-a-half weeks. Career training schools like Fast Track Healthcare Education can help you complete your course on time.
This may or may not be a good idea, depending on your circumstances. If you work full time, the rigorous time commitment of an intensive program may not work for you. However, if your professional and personal responsibilities allow you to dedicate a lot of time to your studies, finishing a CNA program within a month can help you quickly move into the field and get your career started.
Are there free CNA training programs in VA?
Although you may be able to find affordable options or receive financial aid for your CNA program, finding a free class is a best-case scenario. The good news is, there are some free programs available that you can take advantage of.
For example, the Virginian hospital chain Ballad Health offers free CNA classes that meet the state’s registration requirements. This course entails 100 hours of classroom learning and focuses on how to deliver safe and competent care to patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. After completing this portion of the program, you will be required to complete 40 hours of hands-on training under the supervision of licensed medical professionals.
Do I have to take an examination to become a CNA?
Once you’ve completed your nursing aide program, you’re ready to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam. Note that in Virginia, you will be required to take the exam within 24 months of completing your training program. If you pass, you’ll be added to the state nurse aide registry.
The exam consists of two parts: a written (or oral) section testing your understanding of nursing concepts, and a practical skills test where you demonstrate competency in direct patient care. The first portion of the exam is made up of 70 multiple choice questions, so be sure that you employ your best test-taking and study strategies. During the skills evaluation, you will be required to demonstrate your skills in a simulated work setting.
How can I renew a CNA license in Virginia?
In Virginia, a CNA license must be renewed every two years. Licensed holders must have performed paid nursing or nursing-related services during the two-year renewal period, or you’ll need to repeat the nurse aide competency evaluation again.
Additionally, to keep your CNA license current, you must have worked at a nursing job for pay during the two-year period after receiving your credential. If not, you’ll be required to repeat the nurse aide competency evaluation. Continuing education is not required in this role; you’ll just keep working at your job to be recertified. When it’s time, you can renew your license online.
Furthermore, it may be useful to remember that CNA renewal requirements will vary by state in case you’d like to relocate in the future.
Where can I work after becoming a licensed CNA?
Once certified, CNAs in Virginia are qualified to start working in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and home health agencies. Your primary responsibilities are assisting patients with daily activities like bathing and dressing. You’ll also document information, and, if certified, administer medication.
For example, some of the hospitals around Virginia have positions open for certified nursing assistants, including Riverside Rehabilitation Hospital, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, and Bath Community Hospital. Other employers include LifePoint Health and Riverside Health System. Also, you may be able to find opportunities working for state agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
CNA Salaries in Virginia
By this point, you have a solid foundation for building your CNA career in Virginia. You've explored some of the state’s best classes, and you know what it will take to get certified. Now it’s time to take a look at your employment and salary outlook.
Nationally, demand for CNAs is anticipated to grow at a rate of 4.2% over the next ten years. However, it is expected to grow more than twice as fast in Virginia, where the projected rate is 10.9%. Therefore, CNAs in the state can expect to have access to an above-average number of job opportunities. On the earnings front statewide, the job pays an annual salary ranging from $28,500 (10th percentile) to $46,200 (90th percentile). Job seekers should pay attention to differences by city, though. Charlottesville, for instance, offers the highest wage in both the 10th percentile ($30,150) and the 90th ($47,470). Compare other figures in the tables below.
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $28,500 | $36,820 | $46,200 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $29,310 | $35,200 | $42,080 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $30,150 | $37,400 | $47,470 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $27,720 | $36,110 | $42,930 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $28,740 | $35,780 | $44,880 |
| Richmond, VA | $29,150 | $36,630 | $46,260 |
| Roanoke, VA | $28,930 | $35,320 | $44,820 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | $28,080 | $38,980 | $45,300 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | $26,540 | $35,760 | $44,930 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $29,220 | $37,150 | $43,620 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,361,300 | 1,417,800 | 56,500 | 4.20% | 202,400 |
| Virginia | 37,640 | 41,750 | 4,110 | 10.90% | 6,030 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
