CNA Classes in Houston: Online & On-Campus Training
Choose a hybrid or on-campus CNA program in Houston and move into your new nurse aide career within a matter of weeks. This guide tells you what you need to know from cost to certification info and more.
Certified nursing assistants or aides (CNAs) work under the supervision of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. CNAs provide basic nursing care to patients in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, mental health institutions, and home healthcare settings. The need for CNAs is expected to rise, given the growing aging population.
To meet this increased demand, there are plenty of CNA classes available in the Houston area. The short program duration means you graduate and are ready for the workforce in a matter of months.
Traditionally, CNA coursework in Houston and elsewhere has been fully hands-on. However, many schools have begun shifting some of the classroom requirements to virtual instruction. It’s now possible to find hybrid CNA classes in Houston that provide knowledge through online means yet still require hands-on clinical hours. This guide helps you understand what it takes to become a CNA in Houston and the surrounding area, including what to expect from courses, the salary and job outlooks, how to pay for classes, and more.
Best CNA Classes and Training Programs in Houston
There are many CNA classes in Houston, so it can sometimes be a challenge to figure out which one you should enroll in. To help you choose the one that’s right for you, we highlight three that are top-notch in terms of state approval and accreditation, affordability, students support services, and learning flexibility. These classes give you a good idea of what to look for in a CNA program in Houston.
FAQs About CNA Classes in Houston
What skills do you learn in CNA classes in Houston?
Students learn about basic nursing and healthcare in their CNA program. This includes how to record vital signs, care for wounds, help individuals dress, bathe, and feed themselves, nutrition and bodily functions, the basics of motion, the aging process, some pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and an understanding of death and dying. Good communication is stressed in all programs, including appropriate communication between different people. For instance, you’ll learn how teaching a family to care for a patient takes different communication skills than talking with colleagues about that patient’s care.
Hands-on skills are also a strong component of CNA programs in Houston. Required clinical hours are spent working with simulations in a controlled setting or working with real patients in a healthcare facility while under the watchful eye of an instructor. Some skills go further than the basics, like learning how to sterilize instruments or insert catheters.
How much do CNA classes cost in Houston?
It depends on the school and program selected. Because CNA classes are often short, tuition and fees are relatively inexpensive. In some cases, tuition is free with the only costs being some fees and the expense of required items like uniforms and proper shoes. In most cases, a one-time payment is required at the start of a program, but some offer installment plans. The following are examples of what CNA classes in Houston typically cost.
Where can I get help paying for my CNA classes in Houston?
CNA classes in Houston cost less than many other healthcare programs. Despite this, many students can still struggle to pay for their nurse aide training. Aspiring certified nursing assistants can look to scholarships, grants, and loans to help them pay for the cost of schooling. Keep in mind that in most cases, these forms of financial aid only apply to those who are attending a program approved by the state of Texas. To learn more, visit our CNA scholarships guide and financial aid guide.
How long do CNA classes in Houston take to finish?
Most CNA programs take only a few months to complete. Each program provides 100 hours of training spread out over a short period. Some programs that allow full-time learning can be completed in as little as one month. Those allowing for evening or weekend study might take two to three months to complete, however.
Inside Look at Online CNA Classes in Houston
In most cases, CNA classes in Houston are delivered in person over a matter of weeks. However, in recognition of the shift to virtual learning that’s taking place across the nation, many schools now have online components to their CNA programs, one example being the Southern Careers Institute. This format means some parts of the course, such as lectures and discussion boards, are online while other parts must be completed hands-on under the supervision of instructors.
To learn more about what an online CNA curriculum looks like, check out our guide to online CNA classes.
Common Questions About Online CNA Classes in Houston
Will taking CNA classes online in Houston impact my ability to get certified or licensed?
No. As long as a CNA program is approved by the state of Texas, you can sit for the examination and become a certified nursing assistant or certified nurse aide. If the approved program provides some elements online, you can rest assured you’re still getting the knowledge and skills necessary to do the job of a CNA.
Do employers care if I take some of my CNA classes online?
Probably not. Employers want to know you can do the job, and certification as a nursing assistant tells them you can. Given the ubiquity of online learning, many employers might expect that you took courses online and should have no problem with that. As long as the state approves your program and you completed it and passed the competency examination, you’re ready for employment.
Are online CNA classes more affordable than campus programs in Houston?
They can be, but in an indirect way. Many CNA programs in Houston have recently moved some components to online learning, and the pricing seems to be the same. Given that programs include clinical hours that must be completed as usual, it’s safe to say the prices might not drop for online portions. However, there are other savings to be had with online learning, like lack of a commute to campus and parking fees. There’s also the fact that online courses make it easier to work while in school.
Can I complete my Houston CNA training faster by taking classwork online?
Though some online learning might allow for more flexibility in when you finish the classwork, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s faster to finish the entire program. Most CNA training programs move in a cohort model, which means you’ll still have to complete the on-hands training with the rest of the class.
How to Become a CNA in Houston
To become a nurse aide, nursing assistant, or certified nursing assistant (the exact title depends on the employer), applicants must graduate from an approved Nurse Aid Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). These programs provide at least 100 hours of training, including 60 hours of classroom time and 40 hours of hands-on resident care.
After graduation, your school arranges for a test through Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Services. You should receive your certificate within six weeks of passing your test. While you wait for your certificate, you can work at a nursing home or other facility for up to four months. You must then have passed the test and been added to the Nurse Aide Registry to continue working as a nursing assistant.
To learn more about these requirements, please see the NAR Credentialing Page.
Renewing certification requires 24 hours of in-service education every two years. This education can be completed through online or in-person means at any NATCEP.
Further information on becoming a CNA in Houston can be found on our Texas CNA page.
Earnings Outlook: How much does a CNA Make in Houston?
Now that you have explored some CNA classes in Houston and learned what to expect in terms of your education and certification journey, let’s find out what you can reasonably expect to earn once you enter the field.
Across the state, CNAs earn an annual wage ranging from $28,500 to $44,320, with a median of $35,110. However, pay for CNAs in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area is slightly higher. Here, CNAs in the 10th percentile earn $30,010 per year (about $1,500 more than the statewide figure), and the highest-paid CNAs (90th percentile) earn $44,960 annually. This indicates that entry-level CNAs in Houston are compensated fairly for their work, and they may be able to earn more over time by gaining experience and additional certifications. To take a closer look at this data and determine what it might mean for your future career, continue to the table below.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $28,500 | $35,110 | $44,320 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $30,010 | $35,760 | $44,960 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
