Free CNA Training Classes

In Oklahoma, nursing abuse fines are funding free CNAfunding. Early application is encouraged, as funding and
training classes, expected to begin in 2010. The freespace is limited. In order to be eligible for funding
program was organized when the Oklahoma Stateconsideration, all applicants must take and pass the
Department of Health (OSDH), in cooperation withCollege Placement Test (Reading and Sentence Skills
Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma Departmentonly). The minimum score that an applicant must
of Career and Technology Education established aachieve is 80. Additionally, all applicants are expected
fund of $371,000 that will cover the cost of trainingto have completed a minimum of 12 college credit
approximately 900-1,000 CNA students in 2010.hours, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, all
The money to provide free training classes comesapplicants must have worked in a health care facility
from penalties collected from nursing homes that werefor a minimum of six months. All applications must
fined by OSDH for delivering substandard care, i.e.include a letter of recommendation from their
nursing abuse. It is possible that Certified Nursingadministrator.
Assistants from these very same nursing homes willThe free CNA training classes consist of 30 hours,
be turn out to be beneficiaries of the scholarship, whichcomprising of 11 modules, each three hours long. The
has aims of improving overall patient care in long-termfive full days of training will focus on safety, teamwork,
care facilities. The core of the free CNA program is toaging and illness, communication, nutrition, quality of life,
upgrade the skills and knowledge of nursing assistantsdementia care, the importance of family, culture
to a level CNA 2. Tulsa Community College also offerschange and restorative care, spirituality, and dying.
more advanced training for those nursing assistantsStudents will then need to take and pass the state
who wish to advance to the CNA 3 level, but this levelexam to receive their CNA certification.
is not currently funded.Within the state of Oklahoma, there are approximately
To fund the program, the OSDH is using civil monetary66,000 individuals on the CNA Registry certified or
penalties collected by the agency from nursing homesentitled to renew their licenses as long-term care aides.
that were fined for delivering substandard care. CNAsMost of the 66,000 are considered potentially eligible to
who work with long-term care patients in nursingapply to this free CNA program. Therefore, the
homes and skilled nursing facilities are eligible to applycompetition is potentially very high, since only 900-1,000
for the OSDH-funded training. The aim of the programstudents will be funded in 2010. If accepted, students
is to serve as a career ladder for working CNAs -will be notified by mail, which will also include information
appropriately named the Certified Nursing Assistantand instructions about immunization requirements, a
(CNA) Career Ladder Program. The new coursecriminal background check, and a drug screening test.
blends online learning with traditional classroom and labTo be sure, applicants will be scrutinized for prior
work geared towards passing a CNA skills test. Allcitations or suspicion of nursing abuse.
students must have already completed onlineIn addition to Oklahoma's program, there are other free
coursework and have reliable computer access inCNA training classes, some of which are available
order to participate in this program.online -- also funded by the nursing abuse settlements.
All applicants to the program must be alreadyBe certain to check whether the training programs are
accepted to Tulsa Community College. However,specifically designed as preparation to take the CNA
admission to the college does not guarantee admissionexam, or for general informational purposes.
into the free CNA training program, nor a guarantee of