Choosing a career as Certified Nursing Assistant can be pretty straightforward. The path is completing your CNA training, qualifying for the CNA certification exam, and getting your first CNA job. But owing to the pandemic, the world was forced to shut down, including the medical world. This might lead you to consider whether to opt for online CNA classes or classroom courses.
To provide a clearer picture, it is prudent to state that both the online and offline modes have benefits and drawbacks. Classroom courses give you more exposure to practical and hands-on training, whereas online CNA classes give you more flexibility.
The position of CNA is a rapidly growing field. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the estimated growth rate of CNA jobs is 8% between 2019 and 2029. Due to the rapid growth of CNA job seekers, blended modes of CNA certifications are also available.
To learn further about the pros and cons of both modes, let’s start with the online CNA classes.
Online CNA Classes
Because of the pandemic, online CNA classes have been increasingly popular in the last two years. More educational institutions are conducting online theory and practical classes.
We will briefly discuss both the pros and cons of online CNA classes.
Pros of Online CNA Classes
- More Flexible
One of the evident reasons for such rapid growth of CNAs is the educational requirements. To become a CNA the path is simple. You have to complete the required hours of CNA training and qualify for the certification exam. You can become a CNA even without a college degree.
Online CNA classes will give you the flexibility to schedule your classes according to your calendar. You do not have to miss classes and assignments.
A quick tip, it is more convenient to study at night once your household is asleep or waking up early on weekend.
- Learn at your own pace
Another significant benefit of online classes is the ability to learn at your own pace. Likewise, you have the flexibility to schedule your own classes meaning you can watch video lectures when you’re feeling productive.
You won’t be struggling to match up with others to jot down notes. You can take your own time to take notes. This way you will move to the next chapter fully prepared.
- Choose your own online class
If you have to choose a CNA school offline, chances are high that you will have geographical restrictions. But if you are choosing an online CNA course, you can choose from any institution around the globe.
Some of the online CNA classroom programs are:
- CNA Online Training Program, American Red Cross
- CNA online Program, Century College, Minnesota
- Online Associate in Applied Science for Health Science Technology, Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
- Online Certificate Program Nursing Assistants, Wallace State Community College, Alabama
Some other advantages of online CNA classes are less supervision, more time to spend doing other jobs, and saving some money. But like every coin has two sides, there are some disadvantages of online CNA classes too.
Cons of Online CNA Classes
To start with, if you are not familiar with the digital world, you will find online classes difficult in the beginning. Adding to that is the connectivity issue you might face. Online classes depend largely on the internet. A bad internet connectivity issue can disrupt a whole day’s schedule.
Continuously staying inside your home can also lead to a lack of motivation. This might result in you struggling with assignment completion, and the urge to attend classes.
Another major disadvantage of online CNA classrooms is the lack of social communication. Physical interaction with classmates can lead to sharing of knowledge which might be lagging in online classrooms.
We have now got a brief idea about the positives and negatives of online education. Let’s dive in to see how classroom CNA courses are different.
Pros of Offline CNA Classes
This traditional way of education is more interactive and provides students a vast opportunity for bonding. This bonding leads to knowledge transfer among peers.
In offline classes, you will get an overview of how everyone else is performing. This might keep your motivation high to work towards achieving better results. If you lag at some topics, your classmates will be present to help you which you might lack in an online environment.
The best part of classroom CNA courses is getting better hands-on training. Being a CNA will require you to know clinical practices. Getting the training in a live social setting from real-world instructors will be a crucial part of your CNA certification.
Along with the positive side, classroom courses lack certain points too.
Cons of Offline CNA Classes
The main disadvantage of traditional classroom courses is the lack of flexibility in timetables. You have to attend the classes as per the timetable. This type of program also doesn’t allow people to take the CNA training along with other work.
Along with these, the cost of transportation will add up. If you are living away from your hometown, the hostel expenses will tag along with tuition fees.
Wrapping up
The decision of concluding whether online CNA classes are better than classroom programs remains a matter of personal preference. The best way to decide is to weigh which mode will be beneficial for you.
To start your preparation for the CNA exam, start with our free CNA practice papers. It will level up your preparation for the final exam.
All the best!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get your CNA online?
The cost depends on the institution and type of program, But on average, an online CNA program costs somewhere between $700-$1500.
How long is a CNA course?
The course duration varies with every institution, but the average duration of a typical CNA course is between four and 12 weeks.
What are CNA responsibilities?
The typical CNA responsibilities include:
- Helping patients with their daily activities
- Helping with patients movement
- Cleaning and sanitization
- Checking vitals
- Assisting registered nurses (RN), many more.
To know more about different CNA responsibilities read our blog.
Related Reads:
5 Specialty Certifications for CNAs: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Become a Pediatric CNA: A Comprehensive Guide
