Top 4 CNA Programs in Detroit

If you live in Metro Detroit and want to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, the first step is finding an approved CNA program in the area. Very few community colleges or technical schools that offer such education are located in the city itself. As anyone from Metro Detroit can attest, most schools are located out in the suburbs. Luckily, some of the top CNA programs in the area are just a short drive from Detroit, so if you are in the city itself, you won't have to go far to get the education you need.

In the state of Michigan, you must take and pass the Competency Evaluation Nursing Assistant, or CENA, examination to qualify to apply for jobs as a Certified Nursing Assistant. CNA programs in Detroit are typically offered by the Red Cross and other organizations. Several local for-profit schools offer medical assistant programs, which can be a great first step on the road to becoming a CNA.

To kick-start your search for a CNA program in Detroit, take a closer look at the following four options. Keep in mind too that a few of them have multiple locations in the area, so it should be easy to find one that's in your neck of the woods.

Schoolcraft College

One of the largest community colleges in Metro Detroit, Schoolcraft College's main campus is in Livonia, which is about 20 minutes away from downtown Detroit. Conveniently located just off the freeway, the campus is easy to get around. Schoolcraft offers a Nursing Assistant Program that prepares students to take and pass the CENA examination, so this is a great program to enroll in if you are eager to work your way toward becoming a CNA. Because the competency exam consists of both a written portion and a practical skills portion, this program - and many others like it - consists of classroom lectures, hands-on lab work at the school and clinical practice at nearby nursing homes and other facilities. To enroll in this program, you must submit to a drug screen and a background check. Tuition is affordable, and financial aid is available in some cases.

Everest Institute

This for-profit school has several locations throughout Metro Detroit. Its Detroit location is right downtown, so it's convenient if you need a program that's within the city limits. Everest offers a Medical Assistant Program that opens up an array of career opportunities. Many CNAs start out as medical assistants, and this type of education is a great way to determine whether this line of work is right for you. In addition to receiving instruction in the classroom and in the lab, you will complete an externship before completing the program. Once you've passed the course, you can receive the CNA education that you need and go on to take and pass the state competency exam.

Dorsey Schools

Although Dorsey, which is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, or ABHES, doesn't have a campus right in Detroit, its campus in Dearborn is only 10 minutes away from downtown. Dorsey offers a medical assistant program that is quite similar to Everest's. It provides a great background for students who are interested in pursuing careers as CNAs.

Washtenaw Community College

Located about 25 miles from Detroit in Ann Arbor, MI, Washtenaw Community College, or WCC, offers a great CNA program. Its Nursing Assistant Skills Training program is a four-to-five-week certificate program that prepares you to take the competency exam. You must be at least 17 to enroll in the program, which consists of class, lab, and clinical practice.

Kick-starting a career as a CNA in Detroit is easier than you probably think. Get started by more closely researching the options above, and enroll in the program that suits your needs the best. You will be eligible to apply for CNA jobs before you know it.