How to Become a Nurse Aide: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Arleigh Hatcher, BSN, RN • July 23, 2025
From Training to Certification: Your CNA Roadmap
If you’ve ever considered a career in healthcare and want to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, becoming a nurse aide could be the perfect place to start. Nurse aides—also known as nursing assistants or CNAs—are essential in supporting nurses and caring for patients. Here’s a quick look at how to start your journey.
Step 1️⃣: Enroll in a State-Approved Training Program
The first step is enrolling in a certified Nurse Aide training course. These programs typically include classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. You'll learn vital skills like taking vital signs, assisting with daily activities, and infection control.
💡 Ready to get started?
Click below to sign up or learn more:
Step 2️⃣:
Pass the Certification Exam
After completing your training, you’ll take a state certification exam. Once you pass, you’ll be officially certified and ready to apply for jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.
Step 3️⃣:
Advance Your CNA Skills
Take your career to the next level by enrolling in our Medication Aide
course. This program builds on your CNA foundation and prepares you to safely administer medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
If you’ve ever dreamed of working in healthcare but weren’t sure where to start, a Patient Care Technician (PCT) program might be the perfect path. At Heart to Heart Career Training Center, our 21-week Hybrid PCT Bundle combines flexibility, affordability, and hands-on experience to prepare you for success. What Is a Patient Care Technician? Patient Care Technicians are essential members of the healthcare team. They work alongside nurses and doctors, assisting with vital signs, EKGs, phlebotomy, and patient comfort. About the Program Our PCT Bundle includes three major certifications: Nurse Aide (CNA) Phlebotomy Technician EKG Technician Students begin with the Nurse Aide module and then progress through EKG and Phlebotomy, depending on course schedules. Why Choose the Hybrid Format? You’ll enjoy the best of both worlds — online learning for flexibility and in-person labs for practical training. This format allows students to balance education with work or family life. Certification Opportunities After completing all modules, students are eligible to take the: AMCA Patient Care Technician National Exam (PCTC) AMCA Phlebotomy and EKG Certification Exams Virginia Nurse Aide State Exam (for Nurse Aide graduates) Invest in Your Future Tuition is $6,357, with an $875 deposit (including lab fee). Flexible payment options make it easier to start now and pay over time. 👉 https://hearttoheartctc.myshopify.com/collections/all Enroll Today! The demand for skilled healthcare professionals is growing — don’t wait. 👉 Register now at Heart to Heart Career Training Center
Ready to start your healthcare career? Heart to Heart Career Training Center is excited to offer the Bargain Box Scholarship for most of our classes—including Nurse Aide Day & Evening sessions beginning November 3rd! 💸 This scholarship makes becoming a Certified Nurse Aide easier and more affordable. It’s exclusively for residents of York County and Poquoson. 📞 Ready to get started? Call 757-886-1520 or visit TheBargainBox.org today! Your CNA journey is within reach—let’s make it happen! 💪 If you live outside York or Poquoson, no worries! We have other tuition assistance options available for you.🙌 Need flexible payment plans? Affirm lets you spread out your tuition payments with no impact on your credit score. 🔗 Check it out here: https://hearttoheartctc.myshopify.com/collections/all Start your new career before 2026 and confidently step into your future in healthcare! 👉 Learn more at https://www.hearttoheartctc.com/startdates
At Heart to Heart CTC, we love seeing students walk out of our doors feeling empowered, confident, and ready to respond when it matters most. One recent example? Kristianna, who renewed her Basic Life Support (BLS) certification with us — and left with more than just a card. She walked away with real skills, deeper understanding, and the confidence to take action in any emergency. "I feel confident and well-trained. The instructors were clear, supportive, and made learning CPR techniques easy to remember and apply." – Kristianna, BLS Renewal Student Why BLS Training Matters BLS training goes beyond memorizing steps. It’s about building muscle memory, learning teamwork, and practicing high-quality CPR in real-life scenarios. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, student, or just someone who wants to be ready, BLS training gives you life-saving confidence. What You’ll Learn: ✅ High-quality CPR techniques ✅ Proper use of AEDs ✅ Effective teamwork in emergencies ✅ Skills to handle choking and cardiac arrest situations Ready to Renew or Get Certified? If Kristianna’s story inspired you, now’s the perfect time to take that step. Whether it’s your first time or you're renewing your certification, we’re here to help you succeed — and maybe even feature your story next! 👉 Register today: 🔗 https://hearttoheartctc.enrollware.com/enroll?id=11236893
