3 Free CNA Classes in South Carolina

Learn about 3 different free CNA training opportunities for South Carolina students

Written by Nurses Link on August 21st, 2012

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is an assistant to a nurse and helps with the day to day and routine care of patients. The CNA checks vital signs and assists patients with comfort care. They help patients bathe or wash up and dress, visit the bathroom, escort patients to tests in other areas of the hospital or visit a patient when their call light comes on. CNA’s will help a patient with meals and get a patient ready for discharge. When not working with patients, CNA’s can often be found stocking inventory at the nurse’s station or the rounds carts. CNA’s often work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living homes and other health related care facilities.

CNA training is offered through vocational and career training facilities, community college or some universities. A good many CNA programs are fee based, but there are programs offered for no fee and there are state agencies that will reimburse the student the cost of the program if hired by the agency.

1. In the State of Carolina, CNA’s who accept a job offer from Medicaid or Medicare of South Carolina within one year of receiving their CNA certification can be reimbursed by the State for the cost of the CNA program. It requires an out of pocket expense at first, but is fully reimbursable, provided the student has the records of expenses. The student must be offered employment prior to taking the program in order to be eligible for reimbursement. If the cost of the program can be covered by even a partial scholarship, that is a help.

It is important to have an efficient filing system in place to keep receipts. A binder with clear plastic pockets will work, if each receipt is kept in a separate pocket with a note detailing exactly what the receipt covers. Copies of checks or money orders are also receipts and should be identified as school expenses. If cash is paid for an expense, it is essential a receipt is received.

2. Many nursing homes in South Carolina offer no cost CNA candidates. The State Department of Health can direct the interested party to nursing homes in their area that offer such programs. Some nursing homes require the CNA work for them for a minimum amount of time after the completion of the program, but that is a job guarantee. Other nursing homes offer the training as a service to the health care industry and their commitment to providing quality health care at the CNA level for patients and staff members alike.

3. Goodwill has partnered with the Advance Nursing Education Center to offer CNA training programs for candidates that qualify. The candidates must be considered low income and have a disability. Students must also have a criminal free background, lift 70 pounds and be able to stand for long periods of time, have minimal hearing and visual limitations, have negative drug and TB results, have appropriate math and reading skills, submit an essay of intent and be a high school graduate or have an equivalency certificate.

Students who are accepted into this program are required to pay a $25 registration fee. Goodwill will provide all textbooks, workbooks, one set of scrubs for each student, CPR class, background check, drug and TB screening, exam booklet and the state board exam.

All students accepted to the program will be required to attend an orientation and complete readiness curriculum before beginning the training program. Goodwill will choose 8 participants per training session and the choice made by Goodwill is final.
The training program will prepare each participant to take the state CNA exam, and upon passing the exam will receive help with job placement. For more information about the program and to apply to participate, contact Goodwill Industries, Greenville, South Carolina.

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