With rapidly aging populations and growing demand for care services, New York is expected to need 30,000 additional certified nursing assistants (CNAs) over the next decade. CNAs form the backbone of daily hands-on care provided to patients and residents in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Brooklyn offers some excellent accredited programs to start your career as a CNA. But with many options to consider, it can get overwhelming finding the best fit.
This comprehensive guide provides tips and profiles of leading training providers in Brooklyn. It clarifies what to expect from reputable accredited programs. You’ll also learn about financing aid, career outlooks for CNAs and steps to enroll in a program matching your schedule and needs.
Overview of CNA Roles and Training Requirements
Before choosing a training program, it is important to understand CNA job roles and skill requirements:
CNA Duties
CNAs provide hands-on care and emotional support to patients based on care plans developed by RNs and medical teams. Key duties include:
- Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, toileting and eating
- Tracking patient vital signs and reporting updates
- Documenting provided care services in medical charts
- Helping transport patients
- Changing bed linens, cleaning rooms
- Assisting nurses with medical equipment
Essential Skills
CNAs need certain soft skills and physical abilities to excel in their jobs:
- Communication skills to collaborate with healthcare teams
- Listening skills to understand patient needs
- Problem-solving skills to address needs
- Physical strength and stamina for assisting patient mobility
- Attention to detail for medical documentation
- Compassion for caring for patients
Mandatory Training and Certification
To work as a CNA in New York, candidates must complete a state-approved training program and pass a competency exam. Programs blending theory and practical experience equip trainees with essential caregiving knowledge and skills.
Key Benefits of Choosing an Accredited Program
With many providers offering CNA classes in Brooklyn, it can get confusing evaluating your options. Focus your search on accredited programs approved by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
Benefits of choosing an accredited program include:
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Comprehensive Curriculum: Accredited programs must cover all aspects of CNA competencies like roles, safety, ethics, care skills and legal procedures. You‘ll get complete training as per strict NYSDOH benchmarks.
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Qualified Instructors: Programs must have licensed nurses and experienced CNAs as instructors to get approved. Learn from seasoned professionals currently active in healthcare facilities.
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Hands-On Practice: Expect at least 40-60 hours spent in labs practicing vital skills like checking vitals, proper mobility techniques and use of common equipment.
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Clinical Rotations: Receive supervised experience in actual care facilities through min 40-hour clinical rotations in approved programs. This invaluable exposure preps you for the realities of a fast-paced hospital floor or elderly home.
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State Exam Eligibility: Only graduates of NYSDOH-approved programs can register for the state licensing exam to get certified.
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Employer Preference: Major healthcare providers strongly prefer candidates with accredited CNA program credentials. This gives you a competitive hiring edge.
So while non-accredited programs may have lower costs or duration, the tradeoff is compromised training quality lacking state oversight.
Table 1 showcases key training differences to consider:
| Training Aspect | Accredited Program | Non-Accredited Program |
|---|---|---|
| Course Content | Comprehensive role-based curriculum meetingstrict NYSDOH guidelines | Varies widely by provider. May lack key aspects per state guidelines |
| Instructors | Licensed nurses and experienced CNAs | Qualifications may vary greatly |
| Hands-on Practice | 40-60 hours of supervised lab-based skills practice | Minimal skills practice |
| Clinical Rotations | Mandatory 40 hour minimum supervised clinicals | Typically lacks clinical experience |
| State Exam & Certification | Graduates eligible to take state exam to get CNA license recoginized by employers | No pathway to state certification |
| Employer Preference | Often preferred or required by healthcare employers | Not recognized by many providers |
Key Takeaway: Investing in an accredited program ensures you get comprehensive CNA training meeting industry benchmarks – greatly boosting your career prospects.
Factors To Compare Brooklyn CNA Programs
Once you narrow your search to accredited providers, here are key aspects to compare programs on:
Duration and Schedule
If you are currently working, look for part-time programs offering evening or weekend schedules. Many providers have flexible multi-month programs allowing you to continue your current job while training.
And if you can do full-time enrollment, condensed 4-8 week intensive programs minimize the time investment. Evaluate schedules to balance training and income considerations.
Program Costs
CNA programs represent an extremely affordable and short pathway into healthcare. But costs can still vary significantly by provider.
Tuition for full multi-week accredited programs generally averages around $1,000-$1,500 statewide. Evaluate all aspects of costs – tuition, registration and exam fees, textbook expenses, medical checkup charges, uniforms, equipment etc. Some providers bundle the main fees into one charge.
Be sure to also ask each program about available financial assistance. Take advantage of any internal scholarships, stipends or payment plans to ease the burden.
Skills Training and Clinicals
With CNA roles being extremely hands-on, specialized skills labs and clinical rotations are key program aspects. These allow you to put classroom theory into practical use in a controlled, supervised manner.
Look for programs providing 60+ hours of hands-on practice of core skills like monitoring vitals, safe mobility techniques and use of common equipment like oxygen, feeds etc.
Clinical hours also give invaluable real world experience under staff guidance. Programs offering rotations across both care home and hospital settings expose you to the diversity of work environments.
Career Support
A benefit of completing an accredited program is that many providers offer graduate career support and connections. This can prove invaluable when trying to secure that crucial first healthcare job with no prior experience.
Some partner with local healthcare networks that frequently hire program graduates. Staff can advocate for you and help match your strengths to providers with open roles.
Others provide recruitment events where partner care homes and medical offices come to directly interview graduates. Look for this level of dedicated job search support.
Evaluating these key areas will help find the option best fitting your schedule, learning needs and professional aspirations.
Profiles and Comparison of Top Brooklyn CNA Programs
To simplify your research process, here is an overview of 5 acclaimed CNA programs across Brooklyn along with key details on their offerings:
1. Shield Healthcare Academy
Highlights:
- 180 hour accredited program blending classroom and clinicals
- Choice of full-time 6 week or part-time 3 month schedule
- Provides clinical experience at a highly-rated care home facility
- Very high NY state exam pass rate over past 5 years
- Total cost approx. $1,350 covers everything including textbooks, supplies, uniforms & state exam registration fee
Key Details:
- Course approved by NYSDOH meeting all training standards
- Classes held at a dedicated academy training center
- Instructors are Licensed Practical Nurses and experienced CNAs
- Hands-on skills training through 60-hour labs
- 45 hours of clinical rotations offered at an orthopedic nursing facility
2. Life Care Institute
Highlights
- Offers 125 hour CNA program approved by NYSDOH
- Flexible part-time evening or weekend schedule
- Small class sizes of 10-15 students
- Skills labs and clinical rotation at a skilled nursing facility
- Total cost just $799 covers tuition, textbooks, materials and registration fees
Key Details:
- Programs offered year-round for part-time students
- Split between classroom sessions and practical labs
- Instructors have 10+ years experience as nursing aids or LPNs
- Partners with highly-rated nursing home for 50 hour clinical program element
3. Roosevelt Community Education Center
Highlights:
- Choice of 100 hour or 200 hour accredited program
- 100 hour option allows state exam eligibility
- Complete in as little as 3-4 weeks of full-time study
- Total fees of $799 for 100 hour and $999 for 200 hour program
- Small 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio
Key Details:
- 100 hour track recommended for experienced healthcare professionals
- 200 hour track for general new CNA trainees
- Programs offered on an open-enrollment ongoing basis
- Experienced RN instructors leading small group training
- Includes 40 hours clinical experience in a hospital setting as part of 200 hour program
4. Luna Community College
Highlights:
- 216 hour accredited program offered over 12 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time
- Prepared over 500 CNA graduates now employed across New York healthcare settings
- 3 different hospital/nursing home sites used for clinical rotations
- Total cost $1500 covers textbooks, supplies, uniforms and NY state exam registration fees
Key Details:
- Completed in just 12 weeks on an intensive full-time schedule
- Small classes of just 12-15 students
- Instructors have 10+ years of experience in aged care or medicine
- 60 hours spent in skills simulation labs practicing core CNA competencies
- 80 hours of supervised clinical experience across 3 diverse partner care facilities
5. Shield Home Health Services
Highlights:
- Offers accredited accelerated 4 week full-time 100 hour CNA program
- Condensed schedule allows completing training quickly
- Partners with associated Shield Healthcare nursing agency for graduate job placement
- Cost of $799 covers everything – tuition, laboratory fees, textbooks & materials
Key Details:
- 100 hours includes 60 hours classroom and 40 hours nursing home clinical rotation
- Open enrollment with start dates every month
- Instructors are registered nurses with aged care backgrounds
- Skills lab provides vital hands-on practice before clinical element
- Job search assistance and referrals to Shield Healthcare Services placements
Table 2 showcases a high-level overview of key training aspects across the profiled providers:
| Training Aspect | Shield Academy | Life Care Institute | Roosevelt Center | Luna College | Shield Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Program Duration | 180 hours | 125 hours | 100 or 200 hours | 216 hours | 100 hours |
| Format | 6 weeks F/T 3 months P/T |
P/T only evenings / weekends |
F/T or P/T | 12 weeks F/T or 24 weeks P/T |
4 weeks accelerated |
| Cost | $1,350 | $799 | $799 or $999 | $1500 | $799 |
| Skills Lab Hours | 60 hours | 35 hours | 60 hours | 60 hours | 60 hours |
| Clinical Hours | 45 hours | 50 hours | 40 hours | 80 hours spread across 3 sites |
40 hours |
Evaluate program formats and costs against your availability, work commitments and budget to decide the best option matching your situation. All highlighted providers deliver accredited training benchmarked to NYSDOH standards.
Their hands-on practical opportunities also adequately prepare graduates for the realities and daily stresses of the job in high-intensity healthcare settings.
Financing Your CNA Education
Investing in an accredited program is extremely affordable compared to traditional college degrees – with costs averaging $800-$1,500.
Still, covering bills while training demands financial planning. Below are tips to fund your program:
School Payment Plans
- Many providers offer interest-free installments allowing affordable monthly payments. This avoids large singular tuition fees.
Employer or Alumni Discounts
- Some providers offer discounted rates if you work for certain healthcare companies or are related to program graduates.
Scholarships
- High-performing students or applicants facing financial hardships may gain partial or full scholarships towards fees. Enquire directly regarding any bursaries available.
Government Financial Aid
- Certain accredited programs qualify for FAFSA grants or subsidized federal loans if they meet credit hour requirements. Check if your program allows accessing this aid.
CNA Loans
- Private lenders like Sallie Mae offer dedicated loans to cover CNA program costs and help fund living expenses during shorter-term programs. Loans disburse directly to schools.
Work Reimbursement
- Some healthcare providers may reimburse your tuition costs after 1 year+ working for them. But terms vary greatly – carefully review policies before counting on this.
With the above options, investing in advancing your skills is very feasible. The rewards over a 30+ year career trajectory far outweigh program costs.
Exciting Career Opportunities on Course Completion
With demand for professional carers rapidly rising, completing an accredited CNA program promises bright career prospects and rewards.
CNA job growth is tracking significantly higher than national averages as highlighted in Table 3:
| Occupation | 10 Year Job Growth Rate Nationally |
|---|---|
| Overall job market | 7.7% projected growth |
| Healthcare occupation average | 15% projected growth |
| Nursing assistants and orderlies | 16% projected growth |
| Home health and personal care aides | 36% projected growth |
Statistics Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook
Specifically within New York State, demand for nursing assistants is expected to rise nearly 17% over 6 years as per state labor projections. With over 160,000 current CNAs statewide, meeting growth demands presents major job opportunities for newly certified graduates.
Beyond strong hiring demand, CNA compensation also continues rising with current median pay nearly $33,000 yearly as per May 2021 statistics from the New York State Department of Labor. With overtime, salaries can readily exceed $40,000+ representing over $20 hourly.
Higher paying settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers and ambulatory services surpass this median salary range. And CNA job satisfaction also comes from directly making a difference in the lives of the elderly, injured or disabled through compassionate evidenced-based care.
Take the Next Step Towards an Essential & Rewarding Career
With their critical bedside role on care teams, certified nursing assistants provide a valued service in community medical ecosystems. They fulfil both physical and emotional support needs allowing patients to preserve dignity and best quality of life amid disease or mobility challenges.
This guide has aimed to clarify considerations around accredited CNA program options in Brooklyn. The highlighted providers offer dedicated courses blending theoretical grounding and extensive practical exposure under the guidance of seasoned healthcare professionals.
Choosing such a state-approved program is the crucial first step to accessing this essential and meaningful career pathway. One that promises strong current and future demand for your skills.
Visit the profiled colleges and academies to learn more about enrollment requirements, pricing details and upcoming start dates that fit your schedule. Embark on comprehensive training that holistically develops all core caregiving competencies vital for CNA practice.
Then with an accredited certificate finally in hand – paired with compassion and commitment to the highest standards of care – enter an expanding field eager for dedicated professionals like yourself.
The patients of New York need you – are you ready to answer the call?