
How it Works: Getting a Nursing Assistant Certificate or Degree Online
More Answers From Certified Nursing Assistants
Video Transcript
Host Question: Can you do the certified nursing assistant program online? And if so, would there be any advantages or advantage specific to the work you’re going to be doing to learning these types of things online?
Guest Answer: We actually can do a bit portion of it online. They do partner with local facilities because you still have to go do your clinical. It’s kind of new. You have to really do your due diligence and make sure that you are finding an accredited program.
There is a wide range of quality of programs. Some are are totally outright scams, but even the ones that aren’t, you definitely have to deal with some drawbacks. You know, obviously, the advantages are a more flexible schedule. There’s also they’re typically more flexible in kind of their payment programs. Because it’s nice to be able to get that classroom stuff out of the way after work or, you know, whatever the case is. I would suggest checking what your state board of nursing to make sure that whatever program you’re looking at is accredited and recognized by the state before you pay them any money. Typically, people who do the online programs have a harder time on the exams as well.
But I think as the online programming matures, they’re going to work out some of these issues.
Guest Answer: I know online is more appealing because you can do it on your own time and be like, hey, I’ve got kids during the day, let me do it at night.
They also do some night classes, but I’ve noticed that people that do go to a physical school typically have better skills because they do hands on practice instead of just looking at a computer.
So it’s definitely something to consider is you actually get more training with a doctor to make sure you are doing it right, so then you have no hesitations when graduate and go out into the field.
Guest Answer: You should probably maybe do online and then some like practical lab type was what they call it, because what the online can’t teach you is that hands on care the things that you’re gonna learn just by doing it, even if you make mistakes, how to empty out the Foley, or if it overflows, or a bed pain, somebody misses that type of stuff that most of the time you don’t know until you’ve been put in that position, unfortunately, you know, the experience.

Laura Herman
CNA, Elder & Dementia Care
15 Years Experience

Courtney Fout
CNA, Home Health Care
9 Years Experience

Erika Smith
Certified Nurse Assistant
7 Years Experience