What is the fastest way to become a CNA?

At a consolidated nurse aid school, training to become a CNA can take as little as three weeks, with other slightly longer course options available for those who can only attend evening or weekend classes.

CNA training programs are usually split into two parts, with the first taking place primarily in the classroom introducing CNA students to the basics of patient care through presentations, lectures, and other audio-visual tools.

Having learned the basics of patient care in a classroom setting, CNA students will then progress to an externship to practice and improve on their skills in a real-life setting. During their phase 2 clinical externship, CNA students are supervised by a nurse who is licensed as a Primary Nurse Assistant Instructor.

Having undergone both classroom and clinical training, the final step to becoming a certified CNA is to take a certifying exam, sometimes referred to as a state test. The training program provided by your consolidated nurse aid school will have provided you with all of the information and skills needed to pass this exam.

The test is split into two parts, a multiple-choice question paper and a practical skills examination, both of which must be passed to become accredited.