Olivia Chen, NP
June 24, 2025
The Certified Nursing Assistant programs teach students how to give bedside care assistance while following licensed nurse instructions. Nurse aides in Virginia act as a vital connection because they provide essential hands-on care to patients whose needs require continuous support. CNAs provide resident care that includes bathing, dressing, eating assistance and safe movements along with vital sign measurement while monitoring health changes.
Glenns, VA - Public 2-Year - rappahannock.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Rappahannock Community College's Nurse Aide Certification Training is a campus-based program that provides essential skills for nursing care in hospitals, nursing homes, and residential facilities. This short-term training includes hands-on learning to develop patient care techniques and prepares students for the Virginia State Board of Nursing licensure exam, leading to entry-level healthcare careers.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rappahannock Community College offers a 10-week hybrid Patient Care Technician Certification program, combining online lectures with in-person labs and clinicals. It covers phlebotomy, EKGs, and patient care, resulting in Certified Nurse Aide and Certified Medical Assistant certifications. With tuition covered by a grant, this affordable program starts in February, April, and September, preparing graduates for high-demand healthcare roles.
CHESTER, VA - Private 2-year - chestercareercollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Chester Career College's Nurse Aide Diploma Program delivers intensive, hands-on training for aspiring CNAs, emphasizing patient care across physical, emotional, and social dimensions. With 140 total clock hours, the campus-based curriculum integrates classroom learning and clinical experiences, preparing students for the NNAAP® Certification Exam. Graduates are well-equipped for roles in long-term care, home health, and hospitals, benefiting from a projected 17% job growth in healthcare. This military-friendly program offers a direct path to a stable and rewarding career without requiring entrance exams.
Danville, VA - Public 2-Year - danville.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Danville Community College offers a 5-week Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program that delivers intensive training through classroom instruction, skill labs, and clinical experiences, equipping students for roles in long-term care, assisted living, home health, and hospitals. The program includes certifications in CPR and First Aid, with a total cost of $3,495, and financial aid options like FastForward and G3 enhance accessibility. No entrance exams are required for this certificate-level program.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Danville Community College's Nurse Aide Extended Care Certificate is a 16-credit program focused on preparing students for CNA certification with additional training in first aid, CPR, and medication support. It covers medical terminology, healthcare principles, and nutrition, providing practical skills for extended care settings. As a certificate program, it does not require entrance exams, offering a quick entry into nursing assistance roles.
Lynchburg, VA - Public 2-Year - centralvirginia.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Central Virginia Community College's Certified Nurse Aid program offers a fast-track route into healthcare, training students for roles in hospitals, long-term care, and home settings. It provides comprehensive preparation for the NNAAP exam, ensuring licensure and practical skills in patient assessment and care communication. Approved by the state of Virginia, this program emphasizes hands-on experience and certification in a high-demand field without requiring entrance exams.
Hampton, VA - Public 2-Year - vpcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Virginia Peninsula Community College's Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program equips students for direct patient care in long-term settings through hands-on clinical training. The curriculum includes a 40-hour internship, essential certifications, and preparation for the Virginia Nursing Assistant Examination. With a low instructor-student ratio, it offers Fast Forward scholarship eligibility but requires a high school diploma, background check, and the ability to lift 50 lbs. This non-credit workforce program provides all necessary clinical equipment and examination vouchers, ensuring comprehensive readiness for entry-level roles.
The state of Virginia requires hands-on clinical experience for CNA candidates while schools now offer hybrid learning programs that blend online study with hands-on skills practice. Students use learning platforms to study anatomy, infection control principles, communication strategies, and legal responsibilities independently before moving to campus labs for vital sign recording practice and patient ambulation training before starting their supervised clinical placements in long-term care facilities. Traditional in-person classes operate throughout the state through community colleges as well as private academies and healthcare employer institutions.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel Ridge Community College |
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| Virginia Peninsula Community College |
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| Columbia College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 18, high school diploma or GED, valid photo ID & SSN, cleared fingerprint‐based criminal background check, and required immunizations/health screenings |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Virginia Board of Nursing – Certified Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | Complete a state‐approved training program of at least 120 hours, combining classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice |
| Exam and Application Fees | $45 for the written/oral test and $95 for the skills evaluation (total $140), paid to the testing vendor |
| Certification Exam | Pass both the written/oral competency test and a timed five‐skill practical evaluation |
| Registry Activation Time | Registry updated within two business days of passing both exam components |
| Renewal Requirements | Renew every two years by completing at least eight hours of paid nurse‐aide work in the prior 24 months and paying a $60 fee |
| License by Endorsement | Out‐of‐state CNAs with active, unencumbered certification apply online via reciprocity, submit proof of certification and avoid retesting |
The job market for Certified nurse aides in Virginia shows stable income levels along with consistent employment opportunities in multiple healthcare settings. Certified nurse aides in Virginia receive average hourly payments of nineteen dollars which translates to annual salaries of around thirty-nine thousand dollars while compensation varies based on location, employer, and shift-specific pay. Facilities located in Northern Virginia pay the most while rural long-term care centers offer less but may provide sign-on bonuses or tuition help. The Commonwealth’s aging population together with its expanding home-based services will maintain steady job prospects for the upcoming years.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Virginia | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $35,500 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $17.06 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$44,900 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $35,500 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$30,300 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~10,900 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Rappahannock Community College |
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| Danville Community College |
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| Brightpoint Community College |
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The nursing profession offers an entry-level position as CNA which provides essential clinical experience for future career development. The experience gained as a nurse aide in Virginia enables many employees to pursue practical nursing certification or registered nursing associate degrees which lead to career advancement. Several community colleges operate bridge programs which award credit for prior coursework as well as hands-on hours to shorten the path to Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse status. Most employers pay for employee education expenses and establish flexible scheduling policies to enable staff members to attend classes without losing their wages. Additional certifications including medication aide and phlebotomy technician roles allow nurses to take on new responsibilities while earning more money without needing to complete extensive additional education.
Additional Nursing Programs in Virginia
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