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 offers a comprehensive Nurse Aide Certification Training program designed to equip students with essential skills for nursing care across various healthcare settings. This short-term training prepares participants to assist with patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and residential facilities. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the Virginia State Board of Nursing licensure exam, opening doors to entry-level healthcare careers. The program provides practical, hands-on learning that enables students to develop critical patient care techniques and professional competencies.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rappahannock Community College's Patient Care Technician Certification program, offered in a hybrid format, prepares students for a rewarding career in healthcare. This 10-week program combines online lectures with in-person labs and clinicals, covering essential skills like phlebotomy, EKGs, and patient care. Graduates earn two certifications: Certified Nurse Aide and Certified Medical Assistant, opening doors to various healthcare settings. Tuition, books, and fees are covered by a grant, making this an affordable pathway to a high-demand career. Sessions start in February, April, and September.
CHESTER, VA - Private 2-year - chestercareercollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Chester Career College's Nurse Aide Diploma Program provides comprehensive training for aspiring Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs), preparing students for a rewarding healthcare career. The program covers critical skills in patient care, focusing on physical, emotional, and social patient needs through hands-on learning and NCLEX-style critical thinking approaches. Graduates become eligible to take the NNAAP® Certification Exam, opening doors to employment in various healthcare settings like long-term care facilities, home health services, and hospitals. With a projected 17% job growth and increasing demand for healthcare professionals, this program offers an excellent pathway into a stable and meaningful profession.
Danville, VA - Public 2-Year - danville.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Danville Community College's Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program provides a fast-track pathway into healthcare, spanning just 5 weeks of comprehensive training. Students gain practical skills through classroom learning, skill labs, and clinical experiences, preparing them for diverse healthcare settings. The program includes certification in CPR and First Aid, with financial aid options like FastForward and G3 making it accessible. Graduates can pursue roles in long-term care, assisted living, home health, and hospitals.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Nurse Aide Extended Care Certificate provides a fast-track pathway into healthcare, equipping students with essential skills for supporting patient care in extended care settings. Designed for those seeking a quick entry into nursing assistance, this 16-credit program prepares students to become certified nurse aides with additional training in first aid, CPR, and medication support. Graduates gain practical knowledge in medical terminology, healthcare principles, and nutrition, making them valuable team members in healthcare environments.
Lynchburg, VA - Public 2-Year - centralvirginia.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Certified Nurse Aid program at Central Virginia Community College prepares students for a critical healthcare role, equipping them with essential skills to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home settings. Participants will gain comprehensive training to obtain licensure through the NNAAP exam, learning to accurately assess patient conditions and effectively communicate care plan responses. This program offers a fast-track pathway into the healthcare industry, providing students with practical skills and professional certification in a high-demand field.
Hampton, VA - Public 2-Year - vpcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program at Virginia Peninsula Community College prepares students for direct patient care roles in long-term care settings. Students gain hands-on clinical experience through a 40-hour internship, developing skills to support patients' physical and psychological needs. The comprehensive program includes essential certifications, clinical equipment, and preparation for Virginia's Nursing Assistant Examination.
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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