9 Free CNA Training Programs in Massachusetts - Full Tuition Waiver
Broad Reach Healthcare Programs Offered:Certified Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship Program Location:Chatham, MA Rating:
Financial Structure: This is a paid apprenticeship program with zero tuition cost. Apprentices start with a guaranteed rate of $20 per hour, regardless of previous experience. Upon certification, tuition for an LPN program at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School or a Nursing Degree at Cape Cod Community College is fully sponsored by Broad Reach Healthcare.
Program Duration & Format: Not explicitly stated, but structured as an apprenticeship.
Curriculum & Skills: Covers the CNA Certification course and preparation for the State Test.
Clinical Experience: Training and clinical experience are conducted at Broad Reach Healthcare's state-of-the-art facility.
Employment Pathway: Implicitly offers guaranteed employment as it is an apprenticeship with the provider. Provides a seamless transition and sponsored tuition for higher education (LPN or Nursing Degree).
Employee Benefits: Comprehensive benefits include Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401K Plan with matching contributions, attractive Shift and Weekend Pay Differentials, Paid Time Off and Vacation, Voluntary Disability, Home, and Auto Insurance options, and Sick Leave Benefits. Exceptional growth and continuous education opportunities are also provided.
Target Audience/Application: Designed for those aspiring to make a significant impact in the healthcare field. Applicants can apply to reserve a spot.
Partnerships: Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School and Cape Cod Community College for higher education pathways.
Financial Structure: This is a paid training program, offering $15 per hour during the 4-week duration. All educational expenses are covered, including books, CNA training supplies, and the CNA exam fee.
Program Duration & Format: A 4-week program with small class sizes and in-house instructors.
Curriculum & Skills: Not explicitly detailed beyond preparing individuals for a career in healthcare.
Clinical Experience: Not specified.
Employment Pathway: Upon successful completion of the training, full-time and part-time employment opportunities are offered at Stone Rehabilitation & Senior Living.
Employee Benefits: Includes competitive wages, benefits, free meals, free parking, and life insurance.
Target Audience/Application: Applicants must be interviewed and officially hired, and all prerequisite onboarding paperwork must be submitted before the start date.
Partnerships: Not specified.
JVS Boston Programs Offered:Nurse's Aide & CNA Training Program Location:Boston Rating:
Financial Structure: The program is free for selected participants and includes an hourly wage during training, ranging from $18.00 to $22.00 per hour.
Program Duration & Format: Offers two options: a 6-week program for those with proficient English and a 14-week program (Caring for Our Seniors) that includes ESOL classes for individuals with intermediate English levels. Both are full-time programs with a hybrid virtual and in-person learning format.
Curriculum & Skills: Prepares students to pass the Massachusetts State Nursing Assistant Exam. The curriculum covers basic computer skills, medical terminology and anatomy, healthcare customer service, and specialized skills for working with frail elders or hospitalized patients.
Clinical Experience: Includes hands-on clinical experience. Specific facilities for clinicals are not detailed.
Employment Pathway: Provides support with individualized job coaching.
Employee Benefits: Not specified.
Target Audience/Application: Ideal for Massachusetts residents authorized to work in the U.S. The 6-week program requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Non-native English speakers for the 14-week program should have an intermediate English level. There is a competitive application process.
Financial Structure: This 8-week hybrid program is completely free, including all training materials. It also covers the cost of CPR & First Aid, AED certifications, and the Massachusetts Nurse Aide State Exam.
Program Duration & Format: An 8-week hybrid program. Classes are offered during the day or evening for the first 7 weeks, followed by a 30-hour, one-week clinical practicum.
Curriculum & Skills: Trains individuals to become Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) who support nursing staff by providing basic patient care. It prepares students for the Massachusetts Nurse Aide State Exam.
Clinical Experience: Includes a 30-hour, one-week clinical practicum. Specific facilities for clinicals are not detailed.
Employment Pathway: Not specified, but the program is designed for a high-demand healthcare field.
Employee Benefits: Not specified.
Target Audience/Application: Interested individuals can attend an information session by completing an inquiry form.
Partnerships: Not specified.
Southcoast Health Programs Offered:Certified Nursing Assistant Program Location:Training takes place in New Bedford, MA (St. Luke's Hospital). Employment opportunities are available at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Rating:
Financial Structure: Participants receive a pay rate of $16 per hour during training. Costs covered include text and workbook, one scrub set, and the certification exam fee.
Program Duration & Format: A six-week, part-time (32 hours per week) program offered quarterly. It consists of a classroom portion (lectures, skills lab practice) and clinical rotation.
Curriculum & Skills: Focuses on providing the knowledge and competencies required for the Massachusetts Certified Nursing Assistant examination. Covers theoretical concepts, principles, and skills for patient care in acute care and long-term care settings.
Clinical Experience: Includes observational experiences on inpatient care units at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, MA, and clinical rotation at a local rehabilitation facility.
Employment Pathway: Upon completion of the training and certification, participants are expected to work at one of Southcoast Health's three hospitals in a full-time or part-time nursing assistant position for a minimum period of one year.
Employee Benefits: Not specified beyond pay during training.
Target Audience/Application: Open to anyone meeting minimum qualifications. Current Southcoast employees are encouraged to apply but must vacate their current position to participate. Applicants must be available for the entire 6-week training period without time off.
Partnerships: Not specified.
Catholic Charities Boston Programs Offered:Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Training Location:South Boston (Labouré Center) and Brockton, MA Rating:
Financial Structure: Free for participants who meet income eligibility and program requirements, with training stipends available.
Program Duration & Format: 5-week intensive program with regular start dates throughout 2025 (March-December).
Curriculum & Skills: Comprehensive training to become a Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide, focusing on patient care skills.
Clinical Experience: Hands-on clinical training included.
Employment Pathway: Job placement assistance with many openings at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and visiting nurse services.
Employee Benefits: The healthcare sector provides flexible schedules (part-time, days, evenings, nights, or weekends).
Target Audience/Application: First step on a career ladder into higher-paying healthcare jobs, including Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN).
Partnerships: Not specified.
International Institute of New England (IINE) Programs Offered:CNA Program – Lowell ("CNA Success!") Location:Lowell, MA (Classes at Frederick A. Abisi Adult Education Center and D'Youville Life & Wellness Community). Rating:
Financial Structure: The program is free for qualified students and is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. No mention of pay during training.
Program Duration & Format: A 200-hour course, consisting of 100 hours of class (online and on-site) and 100 hours of clinical training. Classes are typically held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Curriculum & Skills: Designed specifically for English language learners. The curriculum includes English for employment in healthcare, skills development, and job readiness preparation. It prepares students for the CNA licensing exam.
Clinical Experience: Features 100 hours of clinical training conducted by instructors from Middlesex Community College, taking place at D'Youville Life & Wellness Community.
Employment Pathway: Successful participants will be offered a position at D'Youville Life & Wellness Community.
Employee Benefits: Not specified.
Target Audience/Application: Tailored for English language learners. Applicants must have U.S. Work Authorization and pass a basic English language screening.
Partnerships: Collaborates with Lowell Public Schools, Middlesex Community College, and D'Youville Life & Wellness Community.
Financial Structure: This is a free 10-week CNA training program. No mention of pay during training or coverage for additional costs like exam fees.
Program Duration & Format: A 10-week program that includes both classroom instruction and clinical hands-on practice.
Curriculum & Skills: Prepares students for state-recognized certification. Successful students earn a Clinical Nursing Assistant Training Certificate, Home Health Care Aide Training Certificate, Dementia Training Certificate, and American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR and AED) Certificate.
Clinical Experience: Includes clinical hands-on practice. Specific details on clinical sites are not provided.
Employment Pathway: Intended as a first step on a career path to economic self-sufficiency. No guaranteed employment.
Employee Benefits: Not specified.
Target Audience/Application: Applicants must be high-level ESOL students (or English is a second language), 18+ years of age, authorized to work in the USA with an SSN, possess a Massachusetts driver's license or ID card, be current on immunizations (COVID, Flu), pass a physical exam and TB test, and be able to pass a CORI background check. There is a competitive application process due to limited spots.
Partnerships: Offered through a collaboration with Worcester Night Life.
City of Cambridge Community Learning Center (CLC) Programs Offered:CNA Training Program for Fluent English Speakers Location:Cambridge, MA (CNA prep classes at Community Learning Center; clinical classes at Labouré College of Healthcare in Milton and top hospitals/health clinics) Rating:
Financial Structure: Includes free registration for the Massachusetts State Nursing Exam. The program is funded through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) MassSTEP.
Program Duration & Format: Runs once a year from March to June. CNA prep classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Clinical classes meet on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The program involves in-person and online learning.
Curriculum & Skills: Provides hands-on clinical experience, dual enrollment at Labouré College of Healthcare, Alzheimer's / Dementia Care training, and job readiness classes. Graduates earn a Home Health Aide (HHA) Certificate, CPR/AED Certificate, and a Nursing Assistant Training Program Certificate of Completion.
Clinical Experience: Hands-on clinical experience at top hospitals and health clinics. Clinical classes are held at Labouré College in Milton, with free transportation provided from Cambridge.
Employment Pathway: Includes job readiness classes and support searching for and applying for jobs in healthcare.
Employee Benefits: Not specified.
Target Audience/Application: For people who are fluent in English and live in Cambridge. Applicants must be able to work in the U.S. (have a valid work permit, resident card, or U.S. citizenship). Priority is given to members of the American-born Black community.
Partnerships: Labouré College of Healthcare in Milton, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) MassSTEP.
