The Best CNA Training Programs in Toledo, Ohio to Launch Your Healthcare Career
Toledo, Ohio offers aspiring nursing assistants several excellent training programs to gain the skills needed for this growing and meaningful healthcare career.
As one of the most accessible roles in patient care, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide vital support and services in hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities under the supervision of an RN or LPN. With Toledo‘s aging population driving demand and CNAs earning a median annual salary of $30,000 in Ohio, it is an ideal time to start your training.
This guide covers everything you need to launch a rewarding career as a CNA, from an overview of top schools in Toledo to advice on gaining state certification and landing your first job.
What Does a CNA Do?
CNAs, also referred to as State Tested Nursing Assistants (STNAs) in Ohio, provide direct care and assistance to patients of all ages that helps improve their health, recovery, independence, and quality of life. Their day-to-day duties typically include:
- Assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, bathing, dressing, and mobility
- Tracking basic health status including vitals, height/weight, and blood pressure
- Reporting patients’ status to nurses and notifying of any changes
- Listening and talking to patients to understand their needs
- Helping transport patients via wheelchair or stretcher
- Changing linens, cleaning rooms, setting up medical equipment
Most CNAs work at nursing homes, though hospitals, home health agencies, and adult day care centers also employ them. It is an excellent entry point to begin hands-on work with patients and advance your healthcare career over time through further certifications or nursing school.
The median annual pay for Ohio nursing assistants as of 2021 was $30,300, higher than the national figure, with experience level, certifications, and employment setting impacting wages. With Ohio facing a shortage, job growth over the next decade is projected at 7% — nearly double the national outlook.
CNAs gain immense personal and professional fulfillment assisting vulnerable populations and making a positive impact through compassionate patient-centered care. For those looking to help others in need while working alongside nurses, doctors, and other medical staff, becoming a certified nursing assistant is a rewarding path to achieve your goals.
Top CNA Programs in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo offers several accredited training options including community colleges, career tech schools, and healthcare institutions that prepare you to become certified in weeks or months.
Here is an overview of some of the top-rated programs:
1. Owens Community College
The Nursing department at Owens Community College provides an accredited 75-hour nurse aide training program on its Toledo-area and Findlay campuses. Successful graduates are eligible to sit for the state certification exam to practice as an STNA.
Key details:
- Comprehensive course covering nurse aide theory and lab practice
- Small classes of 8-10 students
- New skills lab with hospital beds and mannequins
- 90% first-time pass rate on the state exam over the past 5 years
- Total estimated cost is $785
The program has limited seats each quarter and runs as a 6 or 12 week course during the spring, summer, and fall quarters. Owens also offers job placement assistance and has connections with many local healthcare providers.
Table 1. Owens Community College CNA/STNA Program Stats
| Year | Enrollment | Graduates | Exam Pass Rate | Job Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 25 | 23 | 89% | 96% |
| 2019 | 32 | 30 | 93% | 100% |
| 2020 | 22 | 21 | 91% | 95% |
| 2021 | 27 | 25 | 92% | 98% |
| 2022 | 35 | 34 | 90% | 97% |
With its excellent faculty and facilities, high exam pass rates, affordable pricing, and job placement track record, Owens is a top choice for CNA training in northwest Ohio.
2. Penta Career Center
Penta Career Center is a public career and technical school providing over 30 programs to high school students as well as adult students in Ohio. Its STNA program consists of 105 hours of training to prepare for state certification and employment in healthcare facilities.
Program highlights include:
- Curriculum covering nurse aide theory, lab practice, and clinical externship
- Training from experienced nurse and EMT instructors
- Small class sizes with personalized coaching
- New STNA lab facility with hospital beds and equipment
- Connections to healthcare partners for job placement
The full-time program takes 4-6 weeks to complete depending on schedule. As a career tech school, Penta also offers robust job search assistance, interview prep, and networking opportunities with their partners. The estimated total cost is $1,300 as of 2023.
Penta has seen rapid growth in its STNA program enrollment with over 90 adult students completing training in 2022, more than triple the number from 2017. The school credits this expanding demand to strong industry partnerships providing graduates access to job opportunities after certification.
Table 2. Penta Career Center STNA Graduate Stats
| Year | Students | Exam Pass Rate | Job Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 26 | 92% | 89% |
| 2018 | 31 | 94% | 93% |
| 2019 | 53 | 96% | 91% |
| 2020 | 63 | 95% | 94% |
| 2021 | 82 | 93% | 92% |
| 2022 | 92 | 97% | 96% |
3. ProMedica St. Luke‘s Hospital
St. Luke‘s Hospital, part of the ProMedica health system, provides a CNA course for individuals looking to work at ProMedica long-term care facilities and nursing homes. The 120-hour program combines classroom instruction and supervised clinicals to prepare graduates for the state exam and employment.
What makes this program unique is that it is offered for free with a minimum 12-month work commitment at a ProMedica skilled nursing facility upon completion. This allows students to save significantly on tuition costs.
Additional benefits:
- Small class sizes of 8-12 students
- Training from experienced ProMedica nurses and healthcare professionals
- State-of-the-art lab facilities
- Guaranteed interview and 12-month job commitment
With free tuition and job placement, ProMedica‘s program is an outstanding option, especially if you are willing to work for them post-certification.
Perspectives on Improving Nurse Aide Education
Toledo has several high-caliber CNA programs preparing nursing assistants. However, there are opportunities to enhance curriculum, expand capacity, and improve student outcomes even further through reforms at various institutional levels.
Here are some insights and recommendations on elevating nurse aide training programs:
1. Increase Clinical Rotation Partnerships
Hands-on clinical training at hospitals and nursing homes reinforces textbook concepts and builds career readiness. But landing placements is competitive. The state could coordinate and incentivize facilities to take on more trainees, while schools should nurture facility relationships and even compensate partners. Preceptor incentive models can also encourage staff nurses to train CNA interns.
2. Invest in Simulation Labs and Technology
From computerized mannequins to virtual reality, simulation equipment immerses students in realistic situations involving special patient populations and cases. While expensive, these tools boost clinical aptitude and supplement live training. Public-private funding can expand simulation access for every nurse aide program.
3. Develop CNA Apprenticeships
Paid on-the-job apprenticeships are common abroad but still emerging for nurse aides domestically. The earn-while-you-learn model addresses financial barriers for students and meets demand for more entry-level staff. State approval and sponsorship is instrumental for quality standards.
4. Offer Stackable Nursing Pathways
Allowing credits from shorter-term allied health programs like CNA training to stack into nursing degrees shortens timelines and cost for career advancement. Dual enrollment for high schoolers also eases transitions. Community colleges should structure more progressive degreed options from vocational courses.
CNA Certification Requirements in Ohio
Upon completing a state-approved training curriculum, nursing assistant trainees in Ohio must pass both the written and hands-on skills portions of the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam. Ohio contracts with Pearson VUE to deliver this standardized test.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NNAAP certification test, candidates must:
- Complete an approved 75+ hour training program
- Pass federal and state background checks
- Provide fingerprints for an FBI check
- Pass the certification exam within 2 years of program completion
Exam Details
The two-part NNAAP exam includes:
- Written exam with 60 multiple-choice questions
- Hands-on demonstration of three randomly selected skills
One retake is allowed before having to re-take an approved program. Testing locations can be found in most major cities including multiple sites in Toledo.
Renewals
To maintain an active CNA certification, Ohio nursing assistants must renew every two years before expiration. Renewal requires:
- Proof of employment or completion of 12 hours of in-service training
- Updated background checks
- Payment of a $37.50 fee
Maintaining certification ensures you meet ongoing requirements and safety standards to legally work as a nursing assistant in Ohio healthcare settings.
Top Toledo Employers for CNAs
There is tremendous demand for certified nurse aides across Toledo‘s largest hospital networks and long-term care facilities. Here is a snapshot of major healthcare employers and benefits of their nursing support roles:
ProMedica
As a leading nonprofit regional system, ProMedica operates over a dozen hospitals including large presences like Toledo Hospital and regional push into Metro Detroit. Known for its family-oriented culture and stability, ProMedica offers CNA roles across specialties and environments.
Perks like nursing school tuition reimbursement, wellness incentives, and free continuing CNA education encourage retention and growth. The ProMedica Clement Center for Nursing Excellence also provides residencies, preceptorships and career mapping.
Mercy Health
Part of the expansive Catholic health system Bon Secours Mercy Health, Mercy Health is the largest care provider in northwest Ohio. Beyond its central St. Vincent Medical Center hospital in Toledo, Mercy operates nearly 20 regional facilities as a faith-based employer with a calling to serve its communities.
CNA and patient care tech openings span positions from the surgery department to geriatric psych. A $3,000 sign-on bonus incentivizes candidates as Mercy looks to add talent.
University of Toledo Medical Center
Formerly Medical College of Ohio, UTMC is the flagship teaching hospital for the region with specialties like transplantation and rehabilitation. Along with advanced medical residencies, UTMC directs a Nursing Workforce Development program to train up nurses and nursing support staff.
This includes generous tuition coverage to advance your degree while working at UTMC. Their Fresh Start program also helps those with prior records enter healthcare careers.
Financial Aid Options for Nurse Aide Students
Between tuition, textbooks, uniforms, and other fees, direct costs for nursing aide education can present barriers. However, a range of financial assistance programs exist, including:
Federal Student Aid
Federal Pell Grants, subsidized loans, and other aid opportunities facilitated through the FAFSA application can fund certification programs plus future college tuition.
Ohio College Opportunity Grant
As one of the largest need-based state programs, the Ohio OCOG Grant awards over $100 million annually to Ohio residents pursuing higher education across public, private and for-profit colleges.
Ohio National Guard Scholarship
Those who enlist in the Ohio National Guard can earn 100% tuition coverage through the ONG Scholarship Program for earning certifications and degrees, including in nursing or allied health programs.
Hospital System Education Benefits
Major Toledo providers like Mercy Health, ProMedica and UTMC offer tuition reimbursement benefits that refund direct education expenses for employees seeking nursing credentials.
Scholarships and Stipends
Various state and local scholarship funds assist with direct costs related to nurse aide training and testing fees. Some programs also offer stipends or paid training arrangements in exchange for service commitments.
Applying to Programs and Advancing Your Career
Once you select a school or program, you can take further steps to prepare for CNA certification:
- Complete Prerequisites: Programs may require things like high school/GED completion, physical exam, immunization records, and drug screening before enrolling.
- Tap Into Financial Aid: Many public and private loans, grants, scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement plans can reduce direct education expenses.
- Prepare For Training: Review basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, HIPAA rules, and communication best practices to hit the ground running.
- Perform Well Academically: Soak up all the knowledge and feedback from your instruction team during class and labs. Strong understanding and skills mastery is key for the certification test and workplace readiness.
- Network: Get to know peers in your cohort and develop contacts at local care facilities during clinical rotations to line up job interviews.
- Consider Specializations: Some choose to pursue added credentials in geriatrics, pediatrics, or other specialist roles to further skills.
- Continue Learning: Whether through future nursing degrees or related vocational trades like phlebotomy or EKGs, always continue advancing your education and scope.
As the foundation of patient care delivery, certified nurse assistants have the platform to chart a long-term career that saves lives, motivates people, and fulfills your human calling to help others in need. With excellent training programs in Toledo providing the springboard, your impact as a compassionate nursing assistant awaits.