Points of interest…
- In 2027, Virginia CNA training requires in-person skills labs and clinicals.
- Riverside's $700 CNA program requires a Hospitality Assistant work commitment.
- Long-term care is where most new Peninsula CNAs start their careers.
A certified nursing assistant in Virginia must complete a state-approved training program, then pass the nurse aide competency exam; some later advance to LPN programs in Virginia. On the Peninsula, that training usually runs weeks, not semesters. Cost is the real spread: some employers cover tuition in full if you commit to work for them, while other programs charge a few thousand dollars.
For someone in Newport News comparing nursing career paths, the choice runs through Riverside, Virginia Peninsula Community College, private schools, and employer-sponsored options. Each trades cost against schedule and obligation, and the employer you want to work for often matters more than the school's name.
Where Newport News CNAs Work: Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Home Health
Hospital jobs are the better-known goal, but long-term care is where most new CNAs actually start. The Peninsula offers both, and the employer you aim for should shape which CNA programs in Virginia you pick.
Main Employers on the Peninsula
Riverside Health and Sentara anchor hospital hiring, with Bon Secours adding options elsewhere in Hampton Roads. Skilled nursing and rehab facilities, assisted living communities, and home health agencies round out the market. Long-term care facilities hire the largest share of new CNAs, while hospitals often prefer candidates with some experience.
That is why CNA training programs matter. Hospital-run programs can feed directly into jobs at the sponsoring system. Programs tied to nursing homes often lead to a position at that facility.
Realistic Commuting Range
Most Newport News CNAs look within Hampton, Yorktown, Poquoson, and Williamsburg. Many also cross the water to Norfolk and Virginia Beach, though tunnel traffic can make that a long daily trip.
What a Virginia CNA Does
The scope is hands-on and consistent across settings:
- Daily care: bathing, dressing, and feeding residents or patients.
- Mobility: turning, transferring, and walking patients safely.
- Monitoring: taking vital signs and reporting changes to nurses.
CNAs do not administer medication unless they complete separate training for it.
Can You Take CNA Classes Online in Virginia? How Hybrid Programs Work
Virginia CNA training cannot be completed entirely online. Some programs may move classroom theory online, but the skills lab and supervised clinical hours must happen in person.
What VPCC's 2026 Schedule Looks Like
Virginia Peninsula Community College lists its fall 2026 Nurse Aide Education sections as in-person, running September 24 to November 19. Day students meet Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., in Hampton. An evening section, which suits working adults, meets Monday through Thursday, 4 to 8:15 p.m., at both Hampton and Williamsburg. The 2026 schedule has no weekend section. VPCC's official materials also do not describe an online theory option, although some third-party listings call the program hybrid. Every student completes a 40-hour off-campus clinical internship.
How FastForward Cuts the Price
Full tuition is $3,495. The standard FastForward rate is $1,165, and eligible students who receive full funding may pay nothing. To qualify, you generally need:
- Virginia in-state tuition eligibility
- Household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level
- Acceptance into the program
- Selective Service compliance, where it applies
Funding is limited, first-come, first-served, and not guaranteed, so apply early. Tuition already covers your background check, drug screen, BLS certification, clinical supplies, and a $120 exam voucher.
Beware "Online CNA" Search Results
Searches for the best CNA programs in Newport News VA online often turn up fully online courses. Those courses lack in-person skills and clinical training through a Virginia-approved program, so they won't qualify you for the state certification exam.
How Newport News CNA Programs Compare on Cost, Hours, and Format
Riverside College of Health Sciences carries the lowest published full tuition on this list at $700 and completes in six weeks, but its Earn-and-Learn pathway requires employment as a Hospitality Assistant. Virginia Peninsula Community College is more expensive on the published full-tuition figure, yet income-eligible Virginia residents may pay $0, making it a stronger value for qualifying students. Health Education Inc. lists only per-credit rates, so the total cost depends on credits and residency.
| Program | Tuition | Total Hours (Classroom / Lab / Clinical) | Length | Format | Schedule Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside College of Health Sciences Nurse Aide | $700 | 174 total (80 classroom / 44 lab / 50 clinical) | 6 weeks | Full-time day; classroom, lab, and clinical instruction; Newport News campus | Full-time day |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College Certified Nurse Aide | $3,495 full tuition; $1,165 Virginia residents; $0 income-eligible | 148 total; includes a 40-hour clinical internship | September 24, 2026 through November 19, 2026 | Classroom instruction, skills training, and off-campus clinical internship | Monday through Thursday; 10:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.; Hampton and Williamsburg |
| Health Education Inc. (Newport News) CNA | $174.50 per credit in-state; $391.60 per credit out-of-state | 148 total; breakdown not published | 8 weeks | Hybrid: online and in-person class time | Contact school |
Free CNA training in Virginia usually comes with a condition: the employer covers your tuition, and in exchange you commit to working for them once you're certified.
What a Newport News CNA Really Pays Beyond Tuition
Tuition is only part of the bill. The Virginia nurse aide competency exam, a criminal background check, scrubs and shoes, and textbooks add up for most Newport News students. Amounts shown are the low end of typical ranges; TB tests, immunizations, and CPR may also be required but prices vary, and some programs include them. Ask each school which fees are already covered in tuition.
CNA Pay in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metro
Base pay for nursing assistants in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metro is often highest for hospital shifts and skilled nursing roles, but the official metro estimate below blends all settings. Peninsula employers also commonly add evening, night, and weekend shift differentials, and overtime can raise actual take-home pay beyond these base figures. The table reflects nursing assistant pay only, not broader institutional graduate earnings.
| Metric | Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metro | Reference period |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistant employment | 8,110 | May 2025 BLS reference period |
| Mean annual wage | $40,420 | May 2025 BLS reference period |
| 25th percentile annual wage | $36,820 | May 2025 BLS reference period |
| Median annual wage | $38,990 | May 2025 BLS reference period |
| 75th percentile annual wage | $45,560 | May 2025 BLS reference period |
| Mean hourly wage | $17.19 | May 2023 published figure |
| Jobs per 1,000 workers | 3.4% | May 2023 published figure |
Related Articles
Top-Ranked CNA Programs for Newport News Students
Below are the top CNA programs for Newport News students, ranked by cost, clinical quality, and fit for working adults. The options include a local hospital-based choice and additional Virginia programs that accept Newport News area learners. Compare program lengths, clinical hours, and total cost before enrolling.
Factors considered
- First-year retention rates
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Clinical training access
- Program cost and aid
- Graduate employment outcomes
Data sources
- BEA state price parities, used to adjust tuition — bea.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Original research on individual programs
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Riverside College of Health Careers | Newport News, VA | $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) | Newport News earn and learn hospital pathway | |
Riverside College of Health Careers in Newport News runs a six-week nurse aide certificate with 72 academic hours, 42 lab hours, and 50 clinical hours. The Earn-and-Learn option lets eligible students work as Hospitality Assistants and complete training tuition-free. Because the program is based in Newport News, city residents avoid a long commute and can stay within the Riverside health system for employment.
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| #2 | Centra College | Lynchburg, VA | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | Hybrid learners needing hospital clinicals | |
This eight-week hybrid program combines classroom learning with clinical placements at Centra facilities and qualifies graduates for the NNAAP exam. The college is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and offers financial aid and application support. Newport News students who can travel to Lynchburg for clinical blocks may find the hybrid schedule easier than a daily commute.
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| #3 | New River Community College | Dublin, VA | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | Workforce certificate seekers needing flexible sessions | |
New River Community College provides both a Career Studies Certificate and non-credit workforce training for nurse aides, with approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing. Sessions are offered in spring and summer, and workforce coaches help with enrollment. Newport News students weighing a temporary move or extended drive may benefit from the multiple session options.
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| #4 | Laurel Ridge Community College | Middletown, VA | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Laurel Ridge Community College offers a one-year Nurse Aide Program and a Patient Care Technician path across multiple campuses. Both prepare students for the Virginia CNA exam and can stack into nursing prerequisites. Newport News students willing to commute or use temporary housing may find the G3 Scholarship and payment plans helpful.
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| #5 | Brightpoint Community College | Chester, VA | $5,000 – $12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Brightpoint Community College offers a Career Studies Certificate for nurse aide and medication aide roles, with anatomy, physiology, disease prevention, and a supervised internship. G3 tuition assistance can lower the cost for eligible Virginia residents. The Chester campus is within a manageable drive for many Newport News students.
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| #6 | Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA | $5,000 – $12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Germanna Community College delivers a seven-week Certified Nurse Aide program with clinical experience at local facilities. Students learn patient care, medication administration, and health monitoring, and must clear background and health requirements. Newport News students willing to travel to the Fredericksburg area may find the short format efficient.
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| #7 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond, VA | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | ||
This program focuses on long-term care quality of life and covers vital signs, personal care, and patient safety. Virginia residents may qualify for tuition assistance that makes the program low-cost or free. The Richmond-area campus is within commuting range for some Newport News students.
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| #8 | Paul D Camp Community College | Franklin, VA | $5,000 – $11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Paul D Camp Community College offers a Career Studies Certificate in Nurse Aide that can be completed in one academic year for full-time students. The program includes NNAAP eligibility, therapeutic communication, HIPAA, and culturally sensitive care. Franklin is a practical drive for Newport News students seeking a lower-cost community college option.
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| #9 | Danville Community College | Danville, VA | $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Danville Community College offers a five-week Certified Nurse Aide program with classroom, hands-on labs, and clinicals, plus CPR and First Aid certification. Total program cost is $3,495 and many students pay nothing with financial aid. Newport News students willing to travel or use temporary housing can finish quickly.
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| #10 | Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | $5,000 – $12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Virginia Western Community College runs a 28-day Certified Nurse Aide program with a 40-hour clinical externship. It includes the textbook, workbook, and exam voucher, and FastForward or G3 assistance can reduce the cost to as little as zero. Newport News students comparing short-term programs may find the included materials valuable.
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Questions to Ask Yourself
Would you rather pay tuition upfront or accept a 6 to 12 month work commitment with Riverside or Sentara in exchange for free training?
This decision shapes both your budget and your schedule. A work commitment removes upfront costs but ties you to an employer's shifts and facility for the service period.
Do you need evening or weekend classes around a current job, or can you complete a full-time weekday program in a few weeks?
Part-time and hybrid formats cost more in time and sometimes in tuition. If you can pause work, a short full-time program often gets you earning faster.
Is CNA your end goal, or a stepping stone to an LPN or RN program?
If nursing school is likely, a college-based program such as VPCC's may offer clearer credit transfer or prerequisite alignment than a standalone training center.
What clinical site placements does the program arrange, and where are they located?
Ask whether rotations include hospitals, nursing homes, or home health settings. Where you train often shapes your first job preferences and employer connections.
Newport News CNA Program FAQs
Costs vary by provider, so check the comparison table above for current tuition. Some Newport News-area pathways are low-cost through workforce training, and free or employer-sponsored CNA training is available, often with a work commitment. Because prices change and some costs are waived, treat listed tuition as a starting point, not a final total.
After finishing an approved CNA program, candidates take Virginia's nurse aide competency evaluation. It includes a written or oral knowledge test and a skills portion, where you demonstrate selected tasks in front of an evaluator. Passing both parts is required to be placed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.1
In most cases, yes. You can apply for Virginia certification by endorsement if you completed a state-approved program and competency evaluation, are currently registered and in good standing, and have no abuse findings.1 Submit an online application and verifications from every state where you hold certification. Pre-1992 certifications do not qualify.1
Yes, LPN programs in Newport News VA are available on the Peninsula. Riverside College of Health Careers offers a Practical Nursing program2, and Virginia Peninsula Community College has an LPN-to-RN transition option. CNA certification is not listed as an admission requirement, but nursing assistant experience can strengthen your application. Compare admission requirements for nursing programs in Newport News with each school before applying.
