Online CNA Classes in Utah: View Top Schools & Compare Programs
Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Utah is a great opportunity to enter the healthcare field and contribute a vital service to your community. Let EduMed show you what you can expect from an online CNA program in Utah, how school admission works, and quick answers to common questions from prospective students.
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Inside Utah’s Online CNA Schools
CNA classes can be offered on campus, but if you’re interested in online learning, there are programs delivered in a hybrid format. These types of courses will give you the opportunity to learn healthcare concepts in the online portion of the class and reinforce your understanding of what you’ve learned in hands-on laboratory experiences provided on campus.
Additionally, you can take advantage of experiential learning in healthcare facilities, allowing you to see the realities of the work you will be doing. This helps you meet the program requirements and prepares you to obtain your license. Here, three reputable schools are spotlighted so you can get an idea of crucial program features to look for.
CNA Certificate Program — Salt Lake Technical College
The CNA Certificate Program at Salt Lake Technical College gives students a look at the work that professionals do. You will also be able to meet the State of Utah Nursing Assistant certification requirements and be prepared to pass the CNA licensing examination.
By the end of your studies, you will have the skills that employers expect, which will help you compete in the marketplace. Thanks to this training, you will know how to help patients with the physical, psychological, and physiological needs they have while in your care. As a result, you’ll be able to work in several settings, such as hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $418 tuition and fees
Admissions Requirements:
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Participate in a drug screen and criminal background check
- Ability to lift and move people
Curriculum: The curriculum provides an understanding of how the human body works from head to toe, so they become familiar with the body’s systems, disease process, and different ways illnesses are treated. Also, they gain skills, such as monitoring vital signs and helping patients with basic needs like feeding and bathing.
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Nursing Assistant Program — Snow College
The Nursing Assistant Program at Snow College is designed to help you understand the daily duties of CNA work so you can prepare to take the Utah Nursing Assistant State Exams and earn your certification.
The semester-long program is offered on campus and in a hybrid format that incorporates online learning into the curriculum. Once you complete the program and pass the state exam, you’ll be able to apply for entry-level positions in nursing care facilities, general medical and surgical hospitals, private clinics, and assisted living facilities, among others.
You have your choice of start dates, so you can begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer.
Duration: 4 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $555 for tuition, fees, and course materials
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma
- At least a 3.0 grade point average
- Proof of a negative TB test and COVID-19 vaccination
- Undergoing a background check
Curriculum: The curriculum will teach you how to monitor vitals, including blood pressure, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood glucose. You’ll also learn CPR and how to care for patients, including feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, and helping them use the bathroom.
Nursing Assistant Program — Southwest Technical College
The Nursing Assistant Program at Southwest Technical College (STC) introduces students to patient care. You’ll need to complete multiple hours of hands-on clinical experience, as well as assist patients and residents with meals, hygiene, and mobility needs. You’ll also need to take vital signs, all under the supervision of a nurse.
Upon completion, you’ll earn the Southwest Technical College Certificate of Program Proficiency. The program prepares you for both written and skills evaluations, so you can sit for the state certification exam through the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR). STC offers on-campus job placement services and local employment opportunities.
Southwest Technical College CNA program has a 94% graduation rate, a 76% graduate placement rate, and a 100% licensure rate.
Duration: 2 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $559.50 for tuition, fees, and supplies
Admissions Requirements:
- Must be at least 16 years old
- TB and drug screenings
- Proof of up-to-date immunizations
Curriculum: The curriculum teaches how CNAs monitor patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiration and pulse rate. Also, you will learn how to assist patients with mobility, toileting, dressing, and bathing.
Your Questions, Answered: Common Queries from CNA Students in Utah
You have learned about the schools that offer CNA courses in Utah, but you still may be on the fence about pursuing one. You probably have a lot of unanswered questions, too. We provide some of the answers to the most common questions from prospective students to help you make an informed decision, so read on below to find out more.
Are there designated CNA training centers in Utah?
Yes. For example, Utah CNA Centers offers fast-paced in-person and online classes at affordable prices. Additionally, the center boasts flexible schedules and high certification exam pass rates. You can attend classes at five different locations with daytime, evening, or weekend schedules.
The program also offers a 24-hour externship with long-term care facilities, many of which depend on students to fill open positions.
Another training center is the Ridgeview CNA program in St. George. This program can prepare you with the skills, knowledge, and required hours you need to take the state certification test. It encompasses ten weeks of training, including clinical instruction. You can choose class meetings that take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturdays.
Can I get financial aid for my CNA program?
Yes, you may qualify for financial aid, including scholarships, loans, and grants, to help defray the cost of your CNA education. There are a variety of sources for funding, including the schools offering CNA programs. For example, Snow College has resources for a number of CNA scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students, first-year students, and honor students.
Also, Southwest Technical College offers funding in the form of several scholarships, including:
- Southwest Tech Scholarship
- Technical Education Scholarship
- June Thorley PITU Scholarship, for students who are members of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah
- Southwest Tech Needs-Based Funding
Do I need to take an examination to become a CNA?
Yes. You will need to take the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program Competency Examination (NNAAP), a key skills assessment test for all CNAs. The CNA exam consists of written and oral tests to measure your knowledge and skills and includes a clinical test with a trained evaluator to demonstrate your mastery of specific duties and tasks.
Completing this exam allows a state to add your name to the state nurse aide registry. This assures employers that you’ve met federal and state requirements to work as a CNA.
However, some states may mandate additional assessments. Utah, for instance, requires you to take the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry State Certification Exam.
Do I need to renew a CNA license?
Yes, most states (including Utah) require CNAs to periodically renew their licenses, though the requirements for CNA renewal vary by state. This ensures that CNAs are up to date with the latest training and that they maintain their qualifications.
In Utah, you’re required to renew your license every two years. During the renewal period, you’ll need to complete 200 paid, professional work hours under the supervision of a licensed nurse. You will also be required to undergo another background check.
To apply for renewal, you’ll need to visit the Utah Department of Health and Human Services website. Be sure that your paperwork is submitted on time. If you’re late, you will be working on an expired certificate, and your employer may be disciplined by the state.
Where do CNAs work in Utah?
As a CNA, you can work in various settings, including hospices, hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics. A CNA program can help you become a highly skilled professional to impress employers and land a job, and you will have a wide variety of choices of where to work.
Some organizations that employ CNAs include Copper Ridge Health Care, Orem Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing, MedicalMatch Corporation, and Sandy Health and Rehab. If you are specifically interested in providing hospice care, employers like Ovation Primary Care & Hospice, Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, and Suncrest Hospice hire CNAs.
Utah’s CNA Job and Pay Outlook
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $31,390 | $39,530 | $50,140 |
| Utah | $32,910 | $38,500 | $45,980 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $30,270 | $35,110 | $41,510 |
| Ogden, UT | $32,770 | $37,490 | $44,720 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $31,390 | $37,320 | $44,190 |
| St. George, UT | $33,860 | $39,370 | $46,570 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $35,930 | $39,360 | $47,930 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, 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 |
| Utah | 13,120 | 16,700 | 3,580 | 27.30% | 2,470 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
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