Top 3 CNA Programs in New Orleans

If you live in or near New Orleans, LA, and would like to get your foot in the door of the world of nursing, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, is a great way to go. Luckily for you, New Orleans is home to a decent selection of CNA programs. The first step in becoming a CNA is to complete such a program because it prepares you and makes you eligible for taking the certification exam. Most programs are affordable, and many offer flexible options including evening and weekend classes and online education. By learning about popular CNA programs in New Orleans, you'll have an easier time identifying one that's right for you.

Becoming a CNA in New Orleans doesn't have to be difficult. By taking your time and selecting the right program, you'll be off to a great start. You can't go wrong by considering one of the following three programs, which are among the popular ones in the New Orleans area:

Delgado Community College

Located right in New Orleans, Delgado Community College, or DCC, is a convenient option for those who live in the city. The school offers a Certified Nursing Assistant program that arms you with the skills and knowledge that you need to not only take and pass the certification exam, but also to be the best CNA that you can be. The program is 80 hours in length, so it's a fairly quick one to complete. It is made up of classroom lectures, labs, and clinical practice at approved local nursing facilities, including nursing homes and extended care facilities. Clinical experience activities are supervised, so you always have someone nearby to answer questions that you may have. Clinical practice accounts for more than half of the schooling, which is good because the certification exam includes a practical skills assessment portion. You will have performed all of the necessary skills many times during your program, so performing them again during the test should be a breeze.

Nunez Community College

Located in Chalmette, LA, which is about six miles from downtown New Orleans, Nunez Community College is a popular and convenient option for aspiring CNAs in the area. The school's CNA program includes schooling that adheres to OBRA national skills standards. Unlike many such programs, CPR education and certification are included in the cost of tuition. Much of the course consists of classroom lectures and lab work, where you put what you've learned to practical use. Students are also required to complete 40 hours of clinical practice at nursing homes in the area. To enroll in this program, you must allow the school to have a background check performed on you. You must also have a high school diploma or GED. The school also offers a CNA-to-PN option, so if you decide to move forward in your career later, you can return to Nunez to do so.

Compass Career College

If you live close to Hammond, LA, which is about 45 miles from New Orleans, Compass Career College is a worthwhile option to consider for your CNA education. The school's Nurse Aide Program meets the requirements and standards of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, or DHH, and it is one of the popular programs of its kind in the area. The program runs 150 hours in length, with 69 of those hours consisting of lectures, around 35 hours consisting of labs and around 46 hours consisting of clinical practice at local hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities. To enroll in this program, you must have a high school diploma or GED, and you must submit to a background check. Upon the successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the certification exam that will ultimately allow you to earn your CNA license.

Right now, becoming a CNA may seem like a far-off dream. However, once you've completed your program, you will be able to take your certification exam and apply for your license. Upon receiving your license, you will be eligible to apply for jobs as a CNA. There are plenty of CNA jobs in New Orleans and the surrounding area, and pay and benefits tend be very competitive.