Certified Nurse Aide

Begin your journey toward a new medical career with the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program offered by Virginia Western and Total Action for Progress (TAP). Held at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the CNA program combines traditional classroom learning with hands-on clinical training to prepare you for the workforce in just six weeks with no prior medical experience required. To begin working as a CNA, you must also pass the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Test (State Board).

What does a Certified Nurse Aide do?

As a Certified Nurse Aide, you will work with a care team to provide consistent and compassionate care to patients, including:

• Collecting, recording and reporting vital signs
• Assisting patients with daily activities
• Answering call lights
• Communicating methods of care to patients
• Meeting the needs of each individual patient
• Ensuring proper communication between patients and their care team

Certification: Students will be prepared to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) certification exam.

Student Responsibilities

• Flu shot

Course Requirements

• Must complete TB screening to participate in the required 40-hour clinical externship.                                                           
• Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical and 100% attendance is mandatory.