Top 6 CNA Programs in Seattle

If you live in the Seattle area and are interested in pursuing a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, you are in luck. The first step to becoming a CNA is completing an approved program, and there are plenty of CNA programs in Seattle and surrounding areas. Therefore, finding one that meets your financial needs as well as your scheduling requirements shouldn't be too difficult. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer variety of options, take a closer look at popular programs in the area. It's sure to make the process much easier.

Get a great start on the path toward becoming a CNA by taking a closer look at these popular learning programs:

South Seattle College

As the name implies, this school is located in south Seattle. Its Nursing Assistant-Certified, or NA-C, program is one of the popular ones in the region. Tuition for the program costs around $1,175 at the time of this writing. With the additional books and other supplies that you'll need, you can expect to pay around $1,350 total at the time of this writing. The program is one quarter long, and you must submit to a criminal background check to enroll.

North Seattle Community College

North Seattle Community College, or NSCC, is located in the north end of the city. Its Nursing Assistant-Certified program is approved by the Washington State Department of Health and prepares you to take and pass the Washington State Nursing Assistant Certification Exam. According to the school, more than 90 percent of students pass the exam after completing the program. The program runs one quarter of the year, consists of 14 credit hours of instruction, and includes clinical practice at local nursing homes.

Bellevue College

Located eight miles from downtown Seattle in Bellevue, WA, Bellevue College's Nursing Assistant-Certified program consists of seven credit hours of learning, which equals about 130 hours. Those 130 hours include classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical practice at local nursing facilities. Tuition for the program, which is approved by the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, runs about $1,300 at the time of this writing. Upon completion, you'll be eligible to sit for the NNAAP exam.

Shoreline Community College

Located in Seattle, this school offers an affordable and convenient Nursing Assistant-Certified program that runs just 11 weeks in length. During those 11 weeks, you will receive classroom instruction, perform lab work, and tests and participate in clinical practice at local extended care facilities. After graduating from the program, you'll be able to take the Washington State Exam for Nursing Assistants and be well on your way to a rewarding nursing career.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

If you live in or near Kirkland, which is about 10 miles from downtown Seattle, take a look at this school. Lake Washington Institute of Technology's Nursing Assistant Certificate of Completion program consists of 11 credit hours of instruction and learning. Like most CNA programs, it includes hands-on clinical practice at local nursing homes, hospitals, and other facilities. You must pass a drug test and criminal background check to enroll.

Renton Technical College

The Nursing Assistant program at this school, which is located about 10 miles from Seattle in Renton, WA, makes a great option in the area. You must be at least 16 years old to enroll, and a high school diploma or GED is required. The program is 10 credit hours total, and that includes instruction in the classroom, lab work that helps you put skills to work in a practical way, and clinical practice at local healthcare facilities, including nursing homes and hospitals. By the time you graduate, you will know what to expect while working as a CNA. More importantly, you will be ready to take and pass the certification exam, which is the next step in the process of becoming a licensed CNA.

At first glance, becoming a CNA can seem like a lot of work. Once you've enrolled in a CNA program, though, you will be there before you know it. Investigate the Seattle CNA programs highlighted above to get a feel for the options in your neck of the woods.