16 Best CNA Programs in Philadelphia, PA (2023)
Philadelphia is home to some of the top CNA programs in Pennsylvania. With a growing aging population and demand for healthcare workers, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can lead to a rewarding and meaningful career.
CNAs play a critical role in providing hands-on care and supporting the nursing team. They assist patients with activities of daily living, monitor health status, and ensure comfort and safety. CNA programs provide the training and preparation needed to excel in this vital role.
I have researched and compiled this list of the 16 best CNA programs in Philadelphia based on reputation, course offerings, training facilities, instructor qualifications, and career support services. Whether you’re just starting your healthcare journey or looking to advance your skills, one of these programs can set you on the path to success.
1. Carebridge Academy CNA Training School
Carebridge Academy is the gold standard for CNA training in Philadelphia. Their comprehensive 130-hour program combines classroom learning with extensive clinical experience to thoroughly prepare students for the CNA exam and a career in healthcare.
Experienced nurses and healthcare professionals lead interactive lessons on topics like patient care, communication, safety, and more. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention and support. Modern classrooms feature advanced simulation mannequins that respond realistically to student care.
The clinical rotation is completed at a local nursing home under instructor supervision. Students get hands-on practice providing ADL assistance, reinforcing classroom knowledge and skills.
Carebridge Academy also offers exam preparation, resume writing workshops, interview skills training, and job placement assistance. Their relationships with Philadelphia healthcare providers give graduates an advantage in securing employment.
Highlight: The balance of didactic and clinical experience facilitated by expert instructors thoroughly prepares students for CNA certification and practice.
2. Philadelphia Academy for Nurse Aide Training (PANAT)
PANAT is a respected Philadelphia institution offering CNA programs for over 25 years. Their knowledgeable instructors and variety of schedule options make PANAT an excellent choice for aspiring nursing assistants.
The 120-hour curriculum covers healthcare fundamentals, technical skills, and clinical training needed for the CNA exam. Small classes meet either weekday mornings or evenings to accommodate different schedules.
In addition to classrooms featuring advanced simulation mannequins, students gain experience during a 40-hour clinical rotation at a local nursing home. PANAT also helps graduates with exam registration, resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement.
Highlight: Flexible schedule options and an experienced teaching staff make PANAT ideal for students balancing work or family commitments.
3. Prism Career Institute
Prism Career Institute empowers students with essential skills for Pennsylvania healthcare careers, including CNA training. Their CNA program balances classroom teaching with hands-on lab practice, accelerating preparation for clinical settings.
During the accelerated 4-week, 108-hour course, expert instructors cover healthcare foundations, technical procedures, and communication techniques. Modern simulation labs mirror hospital rooms with advanced “SimMan” high fidelity mannequins capable of vital sign changes.
A minimum 32-hour supervised clinical rotation allows students to practice skills assisting facility patients. Graduates earn a diploma qualifying them to sit for the CNA competency exam. Prism also offers lifetime graduate career support.
Highlight: The accelerated pace condenses key CNA skills, lab practice, and clinical experience into a streamlined 4 weeks.
4. Northwest Phlebotomy School Philadelphia
Though primarily focused on phlebotomy training, Northwest Phlebotomy School Philadelphia also delivers exceptional nurse aide preparation. Experienced instructors equip students with essential healthcare competencies during a 6-week training program.
The 80-hour CNA course emphasizes practical knowledge and hands-on skills. Learners gain proficiency with resident care procedures, body mechanics, infection control, vital signs, and safety protocols through interactive activities. All students participate in a 20-hour clinical externship at a local nursing home, guided by facility staff and the instructor.
Upon CNA course completion and passing the state exam, graduates can begin rewarding careers as nursing assistants. Northwest Phlebotomy’s career services include resume assistance and job search support.
Highlight: Northwest Phlebotomy School couples their renowned phlebotomy education with a complementary 80-hour CNA program.
5. In-Pulse CPR
In addition to gold-standard CPR and first aid training, In-Pulse CPR offers an accelerated 4-week CNA program. Combining concise classroom instruction with hands-on training, their focused curriculum thoroughly prepares students for certification and practice.
Over 100 hours of instruction include seminar-style CNA lessons, skills lab simulation training with highly advanced mannequins, and at least 37.5 hours of supervised clinical experience. A low learner-to-instructor ratio ensures personalized guidance and effective skill building.
The course covers essential topics like resident care, body mechanics, safety, communication, and professionalism. In-Pulse CPR’s experienced teaching team draws from years as healthcare professionals to provide relevant, practical education. They also help graduates with exam registration, test preparation, and job placement.
Highlight: In-Pulse CPR concentrates key CNA competencies into an accelerated 4-week timeline with abundant hands-on practice.
6. Job Corps Philadelphia
For young adults needing career direction, Job Corps provides technical training, academics, and support – including quality CNA preparation. Their hands-on CNA program imparts the skills to pass certification and begin a healthcare occupation.
Through the 147-hour course, students gain well-rounded nursing assistant competencies. The curriculum explores patient care, communication, safety protocols, and healthcare foundations. Practical activities develop vital skills like bathing, ambulating, and feeding patients with compassion and efficiency.
Job Corps’ CNA training culminates with a clinical rotation at a partnering long-term care facility supervised by licensed nurses. Trainees receive feedback and guidance providing personal resident care. Job Corps also offers career counseling, job search help, and graduate support.
Highlight: Job Corps provides comprehensive wraparound services alongside CNA training for unemployed young adults seeking a fresh start.
7. Mercy Career & Technical High School
For Philadelphia high school students interested in healthcare careers, Mercy Career & Technical High School offers exemplary CNA training. Students graduate workforce-ready, prepared to pass their state certification exam.
Mercy’s CNA program provides 140 hours of multi-modal instruction including classroom teaching, skills labs, and clinical rotations. Professional nurses lead interactive lessons reinforced through hands-on mannequin simulation. An externship at a licensed care facility lets students refine abilities assisting real patients.
The curriculum explores caregiving foundations like ethics, procedures, body mechanics, and safety protocols. Upon completion, students understand healthcare team collaboration and processes to secure employment as nurse aides. Many continue their studies in nursing or allied health fields.
Highlight: Mercy Career & Technical HS grants Philadelphia students early preparation for healthcare careers like CNA through technical coursework and work-based learning.
8. Successful Aging Career Institute
The Successful Aging Career Institute helps adult learners of all ages pivot to senior care occupations, including professional CNA credentials. Their respected teaching staff balances engaging lessons with skills training.
Learners are immersed in 140 hours of coursework and practical instruction on geriatric nursing foundations. Educators integrate interactive seminars on care procedures, body mechanics, and communication with hands-on skills labs. Clinical experience occurs at an affiliated care community.
Successful Aging furnishes students with insight into age-related conditions and psychosocial dynamics. Training nurtures professionalism, compassion, and cultural humility. The institute also assists with exam registration, test preparation, and job placement services.
Highlight: Successful Aging Career Institute’s multifaceted CNA instruction concentrates knowledge application within geriatric care contexts.
9. The District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund
Sponsored by the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees, the District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund prepares Philadelphia workers for nursing assistant roles through quality CNA courses. Their respected teaching staff balances engaging lessons with skills training.
The 140-hour curriculum aligned with Pennsylvania CNA training requirements includes classroom instruction, lab practice, and clinical experience. Students gain well-rounded competencies in healthcare procedures, body mechanics, vital signs, communication, safety and infection prevention.
Small classes encourage impactful skill building with customized feedback. Clinical rotations occur at partner Skilled Nursing Facilities where trainees receive supervised experience. District 1199C provides career counseling, test preparation, tuition assistance resources and job placement help.
Highlight: District 1999C cultivates top-tier CNA abilities while empowering Philadelphia’s healthcare labor force with training subsidies and career development.
10. National Personal Training Institute
While best known for certifying elite fitness professionals, National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) also conducts a highly regarded nurse aide program. The concentrated coursework imparts core healthcare abilities on an accelerated timeline.
Over 110 hours of multi-modal CNA instruction transmits essential concepts and hands-on proficiency. Students progress through interactive lessons on caregiving procedures, ethics, body mechanics, and communication. Skills labs feature advanced “SimMan” mannequins with human-like responsiveness.
Supervised clinical experience occurs at a Philadelphia-area skilled nursing facility. Students integrate technical and interpersonal skills assisting resident patients. NPTI’s expert instructors offer consistent feedback and support. Graduates can register for the state CNA certification exam.
Highlight: National Personal Training Institute infuses their lauded fitness education model into the CNA curriculum for concentrated preparation.
11. Delaware County Community College – Upper Darby Center
Delaware County Community College’s CNA program equips students with professional competencies for nursing assistant roles in a variety of healthcare settings. Students take courses at the beautifully renovated Upper Darby Center just west of Philadelphia.
The 140-hour curriculum aligns with Pennsylvania training guidelines. Through classroom lessons, lab simulations and clinical rotations, learners develop skills in resident care, communication, safety, ethics and procedures. Experienced nurses lead small classes using interactive teaching techniques augmented by advanced simulation mannequins.
A supervised clinical externship shift at a licensed Skilled Nursing Facility cements abilities. Delaware County CC assists graduates with certification exam registration and job placement services leveraging their employer relationships.
Highlight: Delaware Community College delivers an adaptable CNA education with certified nursing instructors at their convenient Upper Darby Center location.
12. CNA
Many healthcare organizations and temporary staffing agencies offer reputable CNA training programs. These accelerated courses allow employees or recruits to gain vital skills while promptly beginning patient care roles.
CNA training bridges knowledge with practical abilities to assist nurses efficiently and compassionately. Typical curriculum components include resident care procedures, body mechanics, safety protocols, infection control, communication strategies, ethics, and professionalism.
Hands-on skills labs reinforce proper techniques using anatomical models and simulation mannequins. Clinical rotations emphasize experiential learning under licensed nurse supervision at partner facilities. Programs range from 75 – 150 hours. Some employers offer free training to candidates committed to work agreements.
Highlight: Accelerated CNA training through healthcare system partnerships allow efficient credentialing of employee talent.
13. A1 Allied Health Training Institute
A1 Allied Health Training Institute prepares adult learners across Philadelphia and Camden County for allied health occupations through respected certification programs including Certified Nursing Assistant.
Their CNA program delivers 140 hours of multi-modal instruction led by nurses and experienced health educators. Learners progress through interactive lessons, simulation labs, and a 40-hour clinical externship. Coursework instills core abilities in resident care, safety protocols, body mechanics, and communication.
Small classes encourage impactful skill building with customized feedback. Clinical rotations occur at area skilled nursing facilities where students receive supervised experience. A1 Allied Health assists graduates with exam registration, test preparation, and job placement services.
Highlight: A1 Allied Health Training Institute develops top-tier abilities for nursing assistant roles emphasized through 40 hours of clinical learning.
14. Purple Health and Safety – Philadelphia Airport Area
Purple Health and Safety offers essential healthcare certifications like CNA credentials with a strong patient advocacy focus. Their accelerated 4-week CNA course efficiently prepares graduates for certification and employment.
The 120-hour multi-modal curriculum explores caregiving foundations through classroom teaching, skills labs with advanced simulation mannequins, and a minimum 37.5-hour clinical practicum. Nurses and paramedic instructors lead interactive lessons reinforced by hands-on activities.
Clinical rotations emphasize experiential learning under licensed nurse supervision at a nearby care community. Trainees integrate technical abilities with compassionate communication strategies. Purple Health assists with exam registration and job placement services.
Highlight: Purple Health and Safety couples patient advocacy principles with four weeks of proficiency-based CNA preparation.
15. The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
While not a typical training program, UPenn Nursing’s standardized patient program allows students to gain experience with nurse aide duties. Standardized patients are actors rigorously trained to portray symptoms and respond appropriately to learner caregiving.
Under nurse instructor supervision, students practice skills like bathing, transferring, and ambulating standardized patients within simulation labs. This safe, controlled environment fosters communication, critical thinking, and technical ability development with detailed feedback. Students gain confidence providing personalized, dignified care.
Exposure to nurse aide competencies helps UPenn Nursing students better coordinate later with CNAs during their professional practice. The experience improves understanding of care team collaboration. Some students pursue CNA certification post-graduation.
Highlight: UPenn Nursing employs specialized actors to simulate nurse aide scenarios, strengthening student skills and intra-professional teamwork.
16. Philadelphia Job Corps Center
For underserved youth needing direction, Philadelphia Job Corps furnishes technical training and support services including nurse aide preparation. Students gain well-rounded abilities for passing state certification and securing healthcare employment.
The CNA track delivers 140 hours of classroom and applied learning. The curriculum explores topics like ethics, procedures, patient handling, and care duties reinforced through skills labs with advanced mannequins. Students refine abilities during clinical rotations at Philadelphia nursing homes supervised by licensed nurses.
In addition to technical aptitudes, Job Corps emphasizes professionalism, accountability, communication competence and decision making – vital for quality patient care. Their career readiness resources help with certification exams and job placement.
Highlight: Philadelphia Job Corps sponsors disadvantaged young adults through CNA training and wraparound support services enabling gainful nursing careers.
Key Takeaways: Choosing the Best CNA Program in Philadelphia
When researching CNA programs in Philadelphia, prospective students should consider length, format, instructors’ expertise, location and costs. Hands-on learning and clinical hours are essential for skill proficiency. Established schools with job placement relationships better enable entering the healthcare workforce after completion.
I hope this guide to exceptional Philadelphia CNA training programs provides clarity and direction in selecting the right fit to achieve your essential caregiving career aspirations! Let me know if you have any other questions.
