Beginning Oct. 4, Tarrant County College Trinity River will start offering classes that prepare students to become Certified Nurse Aides, or CNAs, a position that is in high demand throughout the Metroplex. All classes will be held at the state-of-the-art Trinity River Campus East Center for Health Care Professions, 245 East Belknap.
Approved by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, this non-credit, fast track program is designed to prepare students to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) certification exam.
“This 100-hour program is perfect for those students that have children in school and want something to occupy their time during the day,” said Varnessa Dorsey, nursing instructor. “The program will offer two separate blocks of time to allow a variety of people to be able to be trained. The first session will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for eight consecutive weeks. The second session is slated for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the same eight-week period. After the in-class portion of the training, each student will spend two weeks participating in a community-based internship.
This CNA program is an affordable way for people to transition into a high demand field. Tuition for the classroom portion, Nurse Aide (NURA 1001), is $339. The second course, Clinical-Nursing Aide (NURA 1060), is $226. NURA 1001 must be completed before enrolling in NURA 1060. If cost is an issue, interested individuals can inquire with the Financial Aid office at any TCC campus to confirm eligibility for the CE TPEG Grant, which can be used to pay for adult education classes. In addition, there may be outside agencies willing to pay for this training at TCC. For students who do not qualify for this grant, community agencies such as Texas Workforce Commission can provide support.
As for job opportunities, local employers are knocking on TCC’s doors seeking qualified, competent workers for an industry that is expected to grow by eight percent by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median income for a certified nurse aide is approximately $30,850.
CNAs perform more of the hands-on care for someone who is elderly or disabled. Duties may include bathing, dressing, feeding and recording vital signs.
For more information about this growing field, visit https://www.tccd.edu/admission/how-to-apply/ce-non-credit/