To become a nurse, you need at least an associate’s degree, though many nurses have advanced degrees – you can get a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), master of science in nursing (MSN), or even a doctorate in nursing. Another common route is to become a certified nursing assistant, or CNA. Whether you go to school directly out of high school or go back to school to change your career, you can get a degree to qualify you for a CNA license by going to school online. Online programs are more flexible than getting your degree at a traditional campus college, and they’re usually less expensive as well. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best online CNA program? Here are some of the main characteristics that you’ll find in the top programs:

Local Partnerships

With any medical training, there is some amount of work that has to be done on-site and in-person. When you take a class online, you don’t have face-to-face interaction with other students and professors, and there isn’t the chance for hands-on demonstrations and learning experiences. So, in order to get the best education possible, you need to enter a program that has partnerships with local facilities, so you can get the in-person education you need to do your job well.

Accreditation

Accreditation is confirmation that an educational program is offering a quality program to students. Otherwise, anyone could start a “college” program, especially online, and some have, creating diploma mills and other scams. If your program isn’t accredited, you’ll be at a grave disadvantage. First, and possibly more importantly, you won’t be able to get your license and officially work as a nursing assistant. Even if you could be licensed, most employers won’t consider employees who don’t have their degrees from accredited colleges, and while you go to school, you won’t be eligible for many kinds of scholarships and grants.

Flexibility

Full-time, it only takes around twelve weeks to become a CNA. However, many nursing students come to the profession from another career path, so being a full-time student may not be possible for you. If you have to work or are raising a family, it is important for your program to be as flexible as possible. Some programs are structured, with “class time” in chat rooms and group projects through email. Others are very self-directed with minimal contact between students and professors. Yes, you want professors that care about your education, but keep in mind that it is also important for your educational schedule to meet your personal scheduling needs.

The top degree program for one student isn’t necessarily the top degree program for another student. “Tour” as many online schools as possible so that you find a good fit for your education needs. A great CNA degree sets you up for a career as a nursing assistant, and from there, you can also pursue more nursing education.

Becoming a nursing assistant will usually require you to have at least an associate's degree and possibly LPN/LVN licensure. While there is no specific nurse assistant degree program offered online, the programs offered by the online schools below will help you get started in your endeavors.

	Kaplan University — Kaplan offers an associate's degree in medical assisting designed to cover a variety of subjects, including community nursing care, health informatics, management, and more.
	University of Phoenix — The Associate of Arts in healthcare degree from the University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services does well to prepare its students for becoming certified nurse assistants. While not specifically a nursing assistant program, graduates of this program will be ready to enter the health workforce in an entry-level medical assisting position.
	Bryant & Stratton College — In the Bryant & Stratton College AAS in medical administrative assisting program, students learn such skills as typing/transcription, document filing/processing, medical billing and coding, medical records handling and medical office procedures. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist certification examination.
	Herzing University — Herzing offers an AS degree in medical assisting curriculum that is designed to prepare students for assisting in numerous healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctor's offices, clinics, and more. Similar associate's degrees are offered in health IT, medical billing, and medical office administration.
	Keiser University — Keiser's AS degree in medical assisting is designed specifically for those who wish to care medically for others, but who may otherwise not be able to attend years of schooling in order to become an RN or physician. Note that this degree is not a degree specifically for nurse assistants, but rather for all medical assistants in general.
	Carrington College California — The AAS in healthcare information technology online degree program offered at Carrington College California (formerly Western Career College) teaches students about anatomy, medical terminology, billing, and patient record keeping to prepare them for careers as medical assistants and nursing assistants.
	Ivy Bridge College — Students enrolled in Ivy Bridge College's online ABA in healthcare administration degree will leave prepared to grow in their careers as qualified administrative or supervisory professionals. Students will leave with thorough knowledge of management tasks and functions, as well as a better understanding of the healthcare industry's complex management issues.
	California Coast University — The AS in healthcare administration degree from California Coast University is a self-paced learning program that can be completed in less than two years. Students are able to start the program at any time during year – avoiding the need to wait around for a semester to begin.
	Virginia College — Virginia College, unlike the aforementioned schools, offers a bachelor's degree program in health management. This four-year program provides more advanced knowledge and skills to the medical assistant looking to expand his/her career into a more managerial role.
	Strayer University — Founded in 1892, originally as Strayer's Business College, Virginia-based Strayer University offers health services administration as one of 10 available online bachelor of business administration degree concentrations. Coursework centers on business strategy, policy implementation in a competitive global environment, and ethical implications of strategic choices.
	Baker College — The bachelor's degree in health services administration at Baker integrates basic coursework into advanced independent research resulting in a robust education to the working adults interested in furthering a healthcare career.
	Rasmussen College — The online associate's degree in medical administration readies students for entry-level positions as medical/nursing administrative assistants. Students of this program will be taught coding, billing, medical ethics, medical terminology, anatomy, and more.
	Fortis College — The medical administrative assistant associate's degree at Fortis College prepares students for the variety of tasks they will encounter as administrative assistants in medical offices, pre-hospital, nursing homes, and urgent care facilities.
	Brookline College — Brookline College offers an AS in health care administration program that combines independent research with online coursework to compose a comprehensive learning experience for those wishing to enter the health industry as an administrator, not necessarily a nurse assistant.
	San Joaquin Valley College — The AS in clinical medical assisting program from San Joaquin Valley College prepares students with the knowledge and skills to perform CPR, administer first aid, give injections, and assist nurses and surgeons with minor surgeries.
	Iowa Central College — The Iowa Central College associate's degree in health administration focuses on the subjects of clinical procedures, medical coding and billing, and anatomy, among others. Graduates of this program may enter careers as health administrators or medical/nurse assistants.
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