Top CNA Programs in Delaware
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play an all-important role in today's healthcare field. They provide crucial hands-on care to patients in a wide variety of healthcare settings. Without CNAs, practical nurses, registered nurses, and physicians would all have a much more difficult time doing their jobs. Demand for highly qualified Certified Nursing Assistants only continues to grow, and remains one of the most essential careers in healthcare today. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that demand for the profession will continue to rise at a rate of 11% through the year 2026-a rate much faster than typical job growth.
Individuals in Delaware who wish to play an integral role in healthcare should seek out the very best CNA programs in their respective areas.
How to Choose a Top CNA Program in Delaware
Students who are pursuing careers as CNAs should do their best to find the top programs available to them. When looking for top programs to attend, future CNA students should consider the following:
- How many campuses is the program offered at? How many CNA students attend?
- How long has the program been operating?
- What scholarships/financial aid/grants are available to students? How much grant/scholarship money is given out to students each year?
- Does the program offer any employment services upon graduation?
- Does the program maintain local healthcare facility partnerships?
- What is the program's CNA certification exam pass rate?
- What kind of credentials do program administrators and instructors have?
- What is the total cost of attendance?
- How many students enroll versus how many actually graduate?
- Program/institutional accolades
Testing and Certification
The most direct path prospective CNAs can take toward state certification is to first complete a Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection-approved program. In order to be approved, programs are required to meet a minimum of 150 contact hours-75 hours of didactic instruction and 75 hours of clinical training. Once this has been completed, Delaware students can sit for the Delaware Certified Nursing Assistant Competency Exam.
The state competency exam is made up of two sections: a knowledge test (written or oral) and a clinical skills test which involves assisting mock patients while being evaluated by a test proctor. The knowledge portion is composed of 60 multiple choice questions in total to be completed in a 90-minute timespan.
Students who fail one component of the exam are allowed to retest as many as three times. After failing three times, individuals will be required to complete another 150 hours of training prior to being eligible to take the exam again.
List of CNA Classes and Programs in Delaware
Though small, Delaware is home to several highly respected CNA programs. The following is a list of the top CNA programs in the state to help students narrow down their choices. Take a careful look at the following schools and programs, and take the first step toward a rewarding career as a CNA.
Delaware Technical Community College
Originally founded in 1966, Delaware Technical Community College is a publicly funded, 2-year college with four campuses located in Georgetown, Stanton, Dover and Wilmington. The college offers its students over 100 associate degrees and certificate programs.
DTCC operates an eight-week Certified Nursing Assistant program that meets 4 days a week. Attached to the CNA program is a workforce development initiative named ‘Generation’ which attempts to help young workers from disadvantaged backgrounds immediately find work after successfully completing the program. Because of ‘Generation’, the vast majority of CNA students that attend DTCC’s CNA program are gainfully employed when they finish.
Healthcare facilities near Georgetown, Stanton, Dover and Wilmington currently hiring CNAs
- Aveanna Healthcare
- HCR ManorCare
- Cadia Rehabilitation
Tuition
Students who wish to attend Delaware Technical Community College’s CNA program can expect to pay an approximate cost of $2,395.
Lee Training Institute
Located in the city of Wilmington, Lee Training Institute offers students a 9-week, 180-hour CNA program composed of 90 hours in-class training and 90 hours of clinical skills training in a long-term care facility in the area. Students can choose to complete the program during its daytime schedule which meets Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 2:30pm, or during its evening class schedule which meets Monday through Thursday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Free uniforms, textbooks, and CPR training are included in the program.
Healthcare facilities near Wilmington currently hiring CNAs
- Maxim Healthcare Services
- Select Medical
Tuition
To attend Lee Training Institute’s CNA program, students must pay the approximate cost of $2,975.
Dawn Career Institute
Established in 1976, Dawn Career Institute is a private higher education institution which serves the citizens of Delaware, south-eastern and south-central Pennsylvania, and northern Maryland.
DCI offers students a 184-contact hour program over the course of 6 weeks. The program is offered during daytime work hours. DCI boasts that its CNA students have employment opportunities with some of the most highly sought-after healthcare employers in the state upon graduating.
Healthcare facilities connected to DCI include the following
- Homewatch Healthcare Givers
- Manor Care
- Bayada
- Churchman’s Village
- Kentmere Rehab and Healthcare Center
Tuition
Students interested in Dawn Career Institute’s CNA program can expect to pay an approximate cost of $3,238.
Polytech Adult Education
Polytech Adult Education is a private post-secondary educational institution located in the town of Woodside in Kent County. PAE was founded in 1964, and in the last 50 years has built up a reputation as an experienced provider of career and apprenticeship training programs.
PAE offers students a 184-hour accredited CNA certification training program. The institution boasts that graduates of the program consistently achieve high pass rates on the state certification exam.
Healthcare facilities in the area hiring CNAs
- Enlivant
- Delaware Hospice Inc.
- Presbyterian Senior Living
Tuition
Polytech Adult Education’s CNA program has a total cost of $2,009.
Bear Professional Institute
Bear Professional Institute, located in New Castle County, was founded in 2010 and aims to provide quality career training programs for students in the Tri-State area.
BPI’s six-week nursing assistant program is designed to adequately prepare students to perform the fundamental nursing skills required to work effectively as CNAs in various healthcare settings. The curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of nursing, infection control, and psychosocial needs. BPI offers students a day program that meets Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 2:00pm, and an evening program that meets Monday through Friday from 4:00pm to 9:30pm.
Healthcare facilities near New Castle County currently hiring CNAs
- Delaware Hospice Inc.
- Interim Healthcare of Delaware
- Trinity Home Health Care
Tuition
Tuition for Bear Professional Institute’s CNA program runs an approximate cost of $2,800.
