Online CNA Classes in Michigan: Everything You Need to Know
If you want to become a CNA in Michigan, these three schools offer classes you can complete quickly, making it easy for you to start your new career.
Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant gives you an entrance into the medical industry but doesn’t come at the cost of many years in school.
As a CNA, you help nurses and physicians provide invaluable care to patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Michigan is like many states that are constantly expanding their healthcare systems, and with that expansion comes the need for more CNAs.
To be eligible for these job openings, potential applicants must take online CNA classes in Michigan or in-person courses that qualify graduates to take the CNA exam.
Becoming a CNA is a strong option if you want to switch to a more rewarding career or you’re a recent graduate looking for a fast-paced degree path. We’ve highlighted three schools in Michigan that offer CNA classes. Each university is distinctive in its approach, but all of them will teach you the necessary skills to quickly become a practicing CNA.
Inside Michigan’s Standout Online CNA Classes
Finding the right online CNA classes in Michigan involves careful research of each university that offers courses. We’ve done some of the research for you and rounded up three options that offer fast tracks toward getting your CNA license. Each program below is reputable and allows you to easily fit classwork into your busy schedule.
Bay College
Bay College offers a nurse aide training program that consists of a three-week, 96-hour course. Students are ready for immediate CNA employment in both Michigan and Wisconsin once the training is completed.
The program is designed for students who want to make a quick career change into the medical field. Students must take intensive lecture and lab courses, complete a clinical component, and have access to state exam preparation.
After completing the program, students can apply for official certification by taking the standardized nurse aide competency exam. If they pass, graduates will be listed on the state’s Certified Nurse Aide Registry.
The CNA training program through Bay College is affordable as far as online CNA classes in Michigan go. The training is $905 and must be paid in full at the time of registration.
Grand Rapids Community College
As part of the CNA program offered by Grand Rapids Community College, the school works with local employers to ensure graduates can dive right into the job market after graduation.
To apply for the program, you must be at least 18 and have the right to work in the U.S. Getting accepted beyond those parameters is relatively simple. Students must submit an ACT WorkKeys assessment and score a level 3 or higher on each component. Plus, students must be willing to receive the immunizations necessary to work in a medical setting.
Students are assigned clinical sites and must complete work at those sites in person to get the hands-on training necessary to graduate. These clinical sites are within a 200-mile radius of GRCC’s main campus.
Southwestern Michigan College
Southwestern Michigan College’s CNA program consists of a single, 84-hour course. It’s designed to help you gain immediate employment as a CNA upon graduation. SMC’s CNA program teaches students the basics for caring for a variety of patients.
Popular settings for CNAs in Michigan include hospitals, long-term care facilities, and even patients’ homes. Before they can work in these environments, students need to complete the nurses’ aide certification exam, which they’ll be eligible to take after completing the 84-hour course.
While there are no course prerequisites required to apply for the CNA program at Southwestern Michigan College, students do need to complete the Accuplacer exam before registering. Students must also maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to be eligible for graduation.
How to Become a CNA in Michigan Online
While it does take consistent planning and studying, becoming a CNA in Michigan isn’t particularly difficult. Online CNA classes in Michigan are easy to complete and many universities provide clinical opportunities where you live, making it easy to meet program requirements. You’ll also need to earn your official license, which involves taking a CNA exam after graduation.
Step 1: Meet Basic Background Requirements
To begin working as a CNA in Michigan, you’ll first need to make sure you meet the minimum criteria set by the state.
Michigan doesn’t require you to be 18 to work as a CNA as long as your employer conforms to the Youth Compliant Standards Act of 1978. However, there are limitations for people under age 16.
Step 2: Graduate from an Approved CNA Program
Before you can count on a career as a CNA you’ll need to pass online classes in Michigan that are certified by the state. These courses are a few weeks long and will teach you everything you need to know to begin working as a CNA. You’ll also be provided some hands-on experience at area medical facilities.
After completing online CNA classes in Michigan, you can work as a CNA for as long as four months while you wait on your exams. However, you’ll need to pass your exams within these first four months to continue working as a CNA.
Step 3: Take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Competency Examination (NNAP)
The Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation is Michigan’s exam for prospective CNAs and costs $175 to take. This exam measures your competency as a CNA and puts the skills you learned in your certified course to the test. The written or oral test requires you to demonstrate your clinical skills. The state uses an outside service called Headmaster to issue the test.
The NNAP is a national exam that some states and employers require CNAs to pass. Michigan doesn’t require it, but always check with your potential employer before ruling out the exam altogether.
Step 4: Start Working as a CNA
As a CNA, you can work at any facility that offers nursing services, including hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and even in-home healthcare. You’ll work as part of a patient or resident care team to help with daily healthcare and general living tasks, such as taking vitals, caring for their hygiene, and aiding in their mobility.
Step 5: Renew Your CNA License Periodically
Michigan requires CNAs to renew their license every two years, which can be done online. To renew, you’ll not only have to pay a $40 fee, but also:
- Submit a renewal application through MI-NATES, or the Michigan Nurse Aide, Training, and Enforcement System, available online
- Show proof of employment from a business that provides nursing or nursing-related services and charges money for the service
- Be working at your above employer for at least 40 hours in the last 24 months
- Prove you have completed at least 12 hours of continuing education during the renewal period
Salary and Career Prospects for CNAs in Michigan
Since we've covered your path to becoming a CNA in Michigan, it’s now time to take a look at the state’s job market. While Michigan's CNA job market may not be experiencing explosive growth, it still offers stable employment opportunities. Although Michigan’s CNA job growth rate is significantly lower than the national average, it still indicates a steady demand for skilled nursing professionals. A lower job growth rate can be due to many factors, such as a slower-growing population and a more mature healthcare industry, which may contribute to a slower pace of job growth compared to other states.
When examining CNA salary data for Michigan, the Ann Arbor area offers the highest median salary for CNAs, while the Niles-Benton Harbor area has a lower median salary. Interestingly, Battle Creek boasts the highest-earning CNAs in the state. Salaries across Michigan may fluctuate for several reasons, including the concentration of healthcare facilities and the cost of living. Take a look at the tables below to gain better insight into the Michigan CNA market.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $33,960 | $37,940 | $44,630 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $37,340 | $39,610 | $43,960 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $31,870 | $36,390 | $49,650 |
| Bay City, MI | $29,920 | $35,310 | $40,360 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $35,060 | $38,290 | $44,750 |
| Flint, MI | $31,000 | $37,760 | $43,670 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $34,580 | $38,000 | $47,340 |
| Jackson, MI | $35,430 | $39,040 | $42,760 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $34,010 | $38,010 | $48,760 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $32,050 | $37,590 | $45,070 |
| Midland, MI | $32,200 | $36,590 | $38,750 |
| Monroe, MI | $31,380 | $34,960 | $42,630 |
| Muskegon, MI | $33,660 | $38,070 | $42,510 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | $35,100 | $37,470 | $42,610 |
| Saginaw, MI | $31,760 | $36,650 | $41,850 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,361,300 | 1,417,800 | 56,500 | 4.20% | 202,400 |
| Michigan | 42,680 | 43,170 | 490 | 1.10% | 6,130 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Answering Your Questions About Online CNA Classes in Michigan
Although becoming a CNA is a fast, straightforward process, you may still have lingering questions. Thankfully, many universities do their best to answer all your questions on their program pages.
We’ve rounded up questions that prospective students frequently ask so you can know as much information as possible to make informed decisions on your path to becoming a CNA.
Are there two-week CNA classes online in Michigan?
There are two-week-long CNA classes available in Michigan, such as the Heart to Heart class. While online classes are out of the norm in Michigan, you can find hybrid programs like the one at Advanced Care Training that offers lectures entirely online, with some in-person clinical requirements.
Can you take a CNA test without taking the class in Michigan?
No. You’ll need to complete a CNA training course that is approved by the state before you are eligible to take the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation.
How do I get a CNA license in Michigan?
To be licensed as a CNA, you’ll need to complete a state-certified training course, pass a CNA competency test, and correctly demonstrate your clinical skills. From there, you can apply for CNA jobs in a variety of medical settings.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Michigan?
Becoming a CNA in Michigan takes as long as the length of the training course in which you’ve enrolled. Since you can begin work as a CNA before taking or passing your exams, this process can happen rather quickly. It’s important to note that you’ll need to pass your CNA competency exam within the first four months of your employment as a CNA or you’ll be required to leave your position.
How much do CNA classes cost in Michigan?
The cost of CNA classes in Michigan varies widely depending on who is offering the course. For instance, Bay College charges $905 to trainees, making it one of the more affordable options.
Is free CNA training available in Michigan?
It is possible to get free CNA training in Michigan, but you’ll need to qualify for scholarships or assistance programs. These opportunities are not the norm, and most prospective CNAs should count on spending some money to cover the cost of a training course. Luckily, CNA courses are largely affordable for most students.
