CNAs are mainstays in healthcare facilities in Philadelphia and across the country. Often found in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, these healthcare professionals are a critical piece of the healthcare industry. Becoming a CNA in Philadelphia is a great way to break into the healthcare industry and the numbers back it up.
- An average annual salary of over $41,240 in the Philadelphia area (according to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data)
- There are over 32,40 CNA jobs in the Philadelphia metro area (according to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data)
- You can earn certification and begin working as a CNA in as little as a month
As a Certified Nurse Assistant, you will work under the supervision of Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses to assist and support patients in various tasks such as helping with daily activities, taking vital signs, assisting with meals and feeding, and providing mobility and exercise assistance.
CNAs are also responsible for maintaining patient rooms, answering call lights, and communicating with patients and their families. By being closely involved with patients, CNAs can be a valuable source of support and comfort and play an essential role in the healthcare team to ensure that patients receive high-quality care.
This webpage offers various CNA classes in Philadelphia for you to research and find the best program that fits your needs.
CNA Requirements in Philadelphia
CNA hour requirements are a little confusing in Pennsylvania, but the bare minimum requirement to earn your certification in the state is:
- 80 total hours
- 5 classroom hours
- 5 clinical hours
Why is this confusing? Well, because the Pennsylvania Department of Education recommends that CNAs get a minimum combination of 130 hours of classroom and clinical time. So, you will see some disparities in the number of hours different programs offer, and may say are required for your license.
In addition to classroom hours, you’ll also need to meet these minimum requirements.
- Be a minimum of 18 years old
- Have current immunization records
- Pass a physical
- Pass a background check
- Complete a state-certified CNA program
- Receive a passing score on the state CNA exam
- Get listed in the Pennsylvania CNA registry
Find the Best CNA Classes Near Philadelphia
Are you ready to embark on the journey to become a Certified Nurse Assistant in the Philadelphia area? With so many options available, finding the perfect CNA program can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve meticulously curated a list of top-notch CNA classes in Philadelphia, taking into account various criteria such as reputation, flexibility, and student satisfaction, to make your search a breeze. Whether you’re a busy working professional or a recent high school graduate, you’ll find a program that’s tailored to your needs. Here’s a quick list of our top 10 CNA programs, read further to find more detail on each program on the list.
| Rank | School | Phone# |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CareBridge Academy | 267.448.0803 |
| 2 | Prism Health Aide Training | 215.329.1322 |
| 3 | Entry Level Nurse Aide Program | 215.843.4262 |
| 4 | Successful Aging Home Health Care | 484.461.9342 |
| 5 | District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund | 215.568.2220 |
| 6 | Quality Care Nursing | 267.988.7090 |
| 7 | Philadelphia Academy for Nurse Aide Training | 215.495.3473 |
| 8 | PASSi | 215.572.1234 |
| 9 | Community College of Philadelphia | 215.751.8000 |
| 10 | Health & Technology Training Institute | 215.568.2220 |
Best CNA Program in Philadelphia
CareBridge Academy
The CNA program is a 100-hour course that includes classroom, lab, and clinical instruction. CareBridge Academy uses 4 learning styles (visual, auditory, hands-on, and reading/writing) in its curriculum and creates a fun, informative, and educational environment for students to learn in simulated and real-world scenarios.
The full program can be completed in 3.5 weeks.
Price: $1,495 fee includes textbook and learning materials. State testing fee and other costs are the student’s responsibility.
Address: 448 N. 10th St., Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 267.448.0803
URL: https://www.carebridgeacademy.com/certified-nurse-aide-program/
Job Placement: Lifetime job placement assistance
Additional Features: Employer-sponsored programs available and flexible course schedules.
Best 4 Week CNA Classes in Philadelphia
Prism Health Aide Training
Prism’s Health Aide Training program is designed to help people advance their careers quickly and affordably, especially those struggling to make ends meet and single parents. With 3 schedule options (morning, late morning, and evening) and affordable tuition, the program also provides job placement support and prepares you to pass the State Board Exam upon completion.
The program typically consists of 150 total hours of education and can be completed in as little as one month. However, there are a variety of scheduling options including weekend-only courses that can be completed over the course of several months.
Price: $1,500
Address: 8040 Roosevelt Boulevard, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19152
Phone: 215.329.1322
URL: http://cna-education.com/
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Scholarships and grants are available for some students which can substantially reduce costs.
Low-Cost CNA Classes in Philadelphia
Entry Level Nurse Aide Program
This CNA training program was developed to serve the growing baby boomer population. Since its founding, the ELNA Program has trained thousands of CNAs in the Philadelphia area. Classes are taught by licensed nurses with a focus on treating patients with the type of dignity and respect that they would offer to their own families.
Classes equip you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a diverse array of medical environments, from the bustling halls of a hospital to the intimate setting of a client’s personal home and everything in between, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult day care centers.
CNA classroom sessions last four weeks. Once classroom sessions are completed students must complete 120 hours of additional learning before sitting for the Pennsylvania CNA exam.
Price: $1,300 which includes tuition, uniform, and textbook. Additional items students will be expected to have or purchase include a watch and non-skid shoes.
Address: 6761 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Phone: 215.843.4262
URL: https://www.entrylevelcna.com/
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Flexible payment plans are offered.
Successful Aging Home Health Care **Free CNA Classes in Philadelphia
This 5-week CNA program offers the option to work for the organization while you learn. The tuition reimbursement program they provide means you can earn your Pennsylvania CNA certification for no cost. Day, evening, and Saturday classes along with three locations in the greater Philadelphia area make taking courses with Successful Aging extremely convenient for students.
Price: No cost with tuition reimbursement program.
Address: 1335 W. Tabor Road
Philadelphia, PA 19120
Phone: 484.461.9342
URL: https://agingcarenet.com/
Job Placement: Yes
Additional Features: Immediate employment opportunities are available.
District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund
This 16-week program is part-time, but is offered with reduced or even free tuition. The class is designed to prepare students to take and pass the Pennsylvania state certified nursing assistant exam and gain them a place on the Pennsylvania Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry at which point they can be gainfully employed as a CNA.
Price: $0
Address: 100 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19110
Phone: 215.568.2220
URL: https://www.1199ctraining.org/
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Fill out the intake form to see if you qualify for free tuition.
Quality Care Nursing
Quality Care Nursing in Philadelphia offers an in-person, 4-week CNA class in Philadelphia designed to provide students with a comprehensive education and hands-on experience in the field of nursing. Based on Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines, the course covers 120 hours of theory, lab, and skills training, as well as a clinical week for hands-on experience. Upon completion, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the PA state CNA certification exam and enter the workforce as a CNA.
Price: Contact the school for current course fees
Address: 2519 Germantown Ave. Suite 213C
Philadelphia, PA 19133
Phone: 267.988.7090
URL: https://www.qualitycarenursen.com/
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Tutoring and CPR training are also available.
Philadelphia Academy for Nurse Aide Training
Philadelphia Academy for Nurse Aide Training (PANAT) offers a comprehensive program to become a CNA in Philadelphia. Students will receive expert training from experienced faculty in lectures, demonstrations, and real-life healthcare settings.
The program covers vital sign recording, daily patient assistance, health record management, and team collaboration. PANAT provides 69 hours of theory, 26 hours of practical experience in a fully-equipped lab, CPR training, and a 40-hour internship in a nursing home. Get hands-on experience under the guidance of professional nurses and start a rewarding career in the healthcare field by enrolling in the CNA program at PANAT today.
Price: Contact the school for current fees
Address: 5070 Parkside Ave, Suite 1422
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Phone: 215.495.3473
URL: https://www.mypanat.com/
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Online application process.
PASSi
Discover a new career in the healthcare industry with the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program at PASSi. Led by experienced nurses, this seven-week, 120-hour course provides comprehensive training to prepare students for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Examination. Students will receive 43 hours of classroom instruction, 25 hours of laboratory experience, 52 hours of clinical rotation, and CPR certification, all licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Join the growing number of individuals who have chosen PASSi for their healthcare education and start your journey to success today.
Price: $1,600
Address: 6926 Old York Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19126
Phone: 215.572.1234
URL: https://passi.us/
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Train-to-hire option for students.
Community College of Philadelphia
Begin your career in health care by registering for the Nurse Aide Training program. Classroom lecture, lab skills and clinical practicum will prepare you for employment in long-term care facilities, hospices, assisted living facilities, hospitals and nursing homes. Working under nurse supervision, a nurse aide enjoys extensive daily contact with each patient and is instrumental in updating the nurse on vital information about patient conditions.
Training topics include the role and function of a nurse aide, resident rights, nutrition, abuse and neglect prevention, infection control, psychosocial needs, using assistive devices, safety and accident prevention, personal care skills, communication skills, and legal and ethical aspects of long-term care.
Participants will be prepared to sit for the Pennsylvania State Nurse Aide Competency and Training Examination upon completion of the training. Students must register through Credentia for the state competency and skills exam. This noncredit certificate program provides academic credits that can be used towards specific credit-bearing degree program upon completion and enrollment in the credit degree program. Students are eligible for 3 college credits upon completion of this program and passing the corresponding certification exams. F
Price: $1,495
Address: 1700 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215.751.8000
URL: https://www.ccp.edu/academic-offerings/professional-development/non-credit-courses/nurse-aide-training
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Workforce development program scholarships available for qualifying students.
Health & Technology Training Institute
Health & Technology Training Institute in Philadelphia offers a comprehensive Nurse Aide Program to help individuals start their career in the healthcare industry. With 152 hours of hands-on training, participants will gain a wider and more well-rounded skill set. Learn how to provide basic patient care under the direction of nursing staff and take the first step towards a successful career in nursing and direct care.
To be eligible, applicants must attend an information/testing session, pass admissions test, attend all scheduled classes, submit a satisfactory physical and have no felonies or qualifying misdemeanors.
Price: $1,666 – includes tuition, all fees, and required materials except scrubs, watch, and shoes
Address: 100 South Broad St., 9th Floor Suite 900
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215.568.2220
URL: https://www.httiphila.org/
Job Placement: No
Additional Features: Heavy focus on preparing students for real-life work situations.
Additional CNA Classes in Philadelphia
If you’re not sold on the highlighted programs listed above, you can also check out the following CNA classes in Philadelphia.
| Philadelphia CNA Classes | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Job Corps Center | (267) 386-2688 |
| Windy Hill Village | (814) 342-8400 |
| New Courtland | (888) 530-4913 |
| Red Cross of Eastern PA | (215) 299-4000 |
| Succesful Aging Career Institure | (215) 744-4800 |
| The Schuylkill Center | (215) 482-7300 |
| Mercy Vocational High School | (215) 226-1225 |
How Much Do CNAs Get Paid in Philadelphia?
CNAs in Philadelphia get paid 4.3% higher on average than other CNAs in the United States. The average hourly salary for CNAs is $19.83, which comes out to $41,240 annually. On average, CNAs in the state of Pennsylvania earn an average of $39,780 or $19.12 per hour, according to the latest 2023 Burea of Labor and Statistics data.
| CNAs Employed | Avg. Annual Pay | Avg. Hourly Pay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Metro Area | 32,410 | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Pennsylvania | 65,220 | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| United States | 1,351,760 | $39,610 | $19.04 |
How Much Do CNA Courses Cost in Philadelphia?
As noted above, there are some locations around Philadelphia that provide tuition reimbursement programs, which are essentially free CNA classes. Beyond that, you’re looking at an average cost of around $1,500 to $1,700 for most Philadelphia CNA programs once you factor in tuition, materials, books, and fees.
Job Opportunities for CNAs in Philadelphia
68,180 CNAs are employed in the state of Pennsylvania, with 31,280 of those coming in the Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington metro area. The number of CNAs employed in the area is actually quite high compared to other major cities, as CNAs make up 11.78 out of every 1,000 jobs. That said, there’s still a large population and plenty of opportunities for work, with as many as 5,000 new positions available annually.
The most common employers for CNAs in Philadelphia are:
| Industry Type | Total Employment |
|---|---|
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 11,209 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 9,195 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | 3,351 |
| Home Health Care Services | 1,988 |
| Employment Services | 926 |
| Individual and Family Services | 862 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 621 |
| Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 616 |
| Offices of Physicians | 415 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 382 |
Helpful links for Philadelphia CNAs
Finding a local training class in the Philadelphia area is critical to becoming a CNA, but if you are still in the research phase of learning more about the profession or the requirements to gain your certification, we suggest the following links: