Best Online CNA Classes in Georgia (GA)

Whether dressing, bathing, or helping patients with their mobility, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) care for patients’ basic needs and fill a critical role in the healthcare landscape. CNAs are in high demand, as they work in nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities — places affected by the national nursing shortage.

Southern states in particular are among the hardest hit areas dealing with a lack of qualified nurses, so if you’re looking for online CNA classes in Georgia, you’ll be filling a critical need upon licensure.

The path to a rewarding CNA roleoften involves classroom instruction, clinical work, and passing a state test. Many programs can be completed quickly, and specific to online CNA classes in Georgia, you’ll find accelerated options allowing you to fulfill your classroom requirements in as little as two to four weeks.

This guide to online CNA classes in Georgia will help you discover top schools, key program features, and answers to common questions you may have. Keep reading to learn more about this meaningful healthcare role.

How to Become a CNA in Georgia Online

If you’re sure becoming a CNA is right for you, but you aren’t sure what to expect from online CNA classes in Georgia, read the following section. We detail the five steps required to become a licensed practitioner in Georgia. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what to expect from coursework and what you’ll need to do afterward to earn and maintain your CNA license.

Step 1: Meet Basic Background Requirements

Before applying to online CNA classes in Georgia, you’ll benefit from checking each program’s admission requirements. Admission requirements may vary slightly between schools, but most programs tend to require a criminal background check and drug test, a high school diploma or GED, and a physical examination. Some programs may require you to be at least 16 years old, while most want candidates who are at least 18 years of age. You may also need a CPR certification, and you’ll benefit from soft skills such as empathy, patience, and excellent communication skills to thrive in this role.

Step 2: Graduate from an Approved CNA Program

In your state-approved classes, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to support nurses and patients in healthcare facilities. You’ll learn vital signs monitoring, patient hygiene, and patient communication. Once you graduate, you’ll be eligible for certification as a CNA. But before get to work, you’ll need to pass your exam.

Step 3: Take the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program Competency Examination (NNAP)

After you graduate from an approved Georgia CNA class, you’ll need to sit for the NNAAP exam. This exam, which consists of an oral portion and a skills demonstration, evaluates your knowledge in key areas of healthcare such as patient care, hygiene, safety, and communication. Passing this exam proves your mastery in providing care to patients in healthcare settings. Once you pass this exam, you’re ready to begin your CNA career.

Step 4: Start Working as a CNA

As a CNA, you’re eligible to work in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, assisted living facilities, and other healthcare sites. CNA responsibilities revolve around providing basic care to patients under the supervision of other healthcare practitioners. In addition to the basics — taking vital signs, helping patients with mobility, turning and repositioning patients, and bathing, dressing, and feeding them — CNAs spend a lot of time with patients and caretakers. Therefore, one of your key tasks is to provide emotional support to patients and their families.

Step 5: Renew Your CNA License Periodically

In Georgia, if you want to remain on the registry so you can work in a licensed facility, you must have worked as a CNA for pay for a minimum of eight hours within the last 24 consecutive months under the supervision of a registered nurse. You will renew your CNA license using the State of Georgia’s renewal application every 24 months.

Salary and Career Prospects for CNAs in Georgia

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Georgia are in high demand. The job growth rate in the state is 14.4%, more than triple the national growth rate of 4.2%. This means CNAs in Georgia will experience excellent job security and may have more opportunities for professional development, such as employer-reimbursed continuing education or the ability to apply for leadership roles. While the job growth rate is promising, the salaries for CNAs in Georgia vary significantly. On average, CNAs earn between $26,480 and $44,800, but that statewide average doesn’t tell the full story. In certain parts of the state, CNAs can earn upwards of $45,000. The highest-earning cities and areas include the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area, Gainesville, and Hinesville. In addition to location, education and experience also impact salaries. If CNAs want to earn in the top 90th percentile, they may consider taking continuing education courses or applying for leadership roles.

Answering Your Questions About Online CNA Classes in Georgia

As you learn more about Georgia’s online CNA classes, questions and concerns may arise. This should be expected. You might wonder about costs as well as testing and admission requirements, which can send you searching the internet for answers. To make this process easier, we’ve compiled and answered prospective CNA student concerns below.

Are there 2-week CNA classes online in Georgia?

You can find CNA classes in Georgia that can be completed in two weeks of online work, followed by a few weeks of on-campus and clinical learning. This is typical of accelerated programs, but the course is not completely online. For example, the Healthcare Academy of Excellence CNA Blended Online & In-Person Course consists of online coursework within a 2-3 week timeframe followed by laboratory training at their training facility. This course also consists of two days of clinicals in a healthcare setting.

Can you take CNA classes online in Georgia?

You can take online CNA classes in Georgia that are offered in hybrid or blended formats. For example, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers a four-week fast-track CNA program that meets two days a week face to face and two days a week online. Georgia Training Center’s Nurse Aide Training Program offers a blended program that meets online and in person.

Do free online CNA courses offer certificates of completion?

Yes. Some online CNA courses in Georgia offer certificates of completion, though not all of them provide formal certificates. The Goodwill Training Academy offers certificates for CNAs, as does Southeast Georgia Health System. You’ll want to research course details and requirements provided by the school or organization offering the course. Some schools also offer financial aid and scholarships specially for CNA students.

How long does it take to be a CNA in Georgia?

According to the Georgia Department of Community Health, Georgia requires at least 85 hours of training, including 24 hours of clinical rotation in a facility supervised by an RN or LPN. However, the length of your program depends on whether you enroll in a traditional or accelerated program. Some accelerated programs take only four weeks to complete, while a traditional program can take longer.

How much do CNA classes cost in Georgia?

CNA training programs vary in costs. Students typically spend between $400 and $1,500 for a CNA training program, plus fees for classroom materials and uniforms. Some programs are free. For example, the University of West Georgia’s CNA program costs $1,075, while Southeast Georgia Health Systemoffers free certified nursing assistant training.

What’s the fastest you can become a Georgia CNA?

The fastest way to become a CNA in Georgia is to take accelerated courses. Many of these programs can be completed within four weeks. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great example of an accelerated program — at only $850 per participant, this program only requires four weeks to complete and is delivered in a hybrid format.