Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training
Coursera · Johns Hopkins University · Updated
AI Tutor Rating
8.6/10
Duration
4 months, 5 hours/week
Classes
48
Launch a meaningful career in healthcare with this comprehensive, expert-led course. Training to become a certified nursing assistant. Covers patient care fundamentals, vital signs monitoring, infection control, and clinical skills needed for healthcare facilities. Created by healthcare professionals with decades of clinical and teaching experience, this course bridges the gap between classroom learning and real patient care.
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training course on Coursera, created by Johns Hopkins University, is a four-month program designed to prepare learners for a healthcare career. It targets individuals with a high school diploma seeking entry into patient care, covering fundamentals like vital signs monitoring, infection control, and clinical skills. The course bridges classroom learning with real-world application, aiming to equip students with the competencies needed to work in healthcare facilities.
What you'll learn in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training
Our Review of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training
This Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training course offers a structured, 48-lecture curriculum spread across four months at five hours per week, suggesting a comprehensive and paced learning experience. The curriculum chapters progress logically from fundamentals to advanced topics, indicating a build-up from basic patient care and vital signs workflows to electronic health record documentation and advanced healthcare concepts. The format, being entirely online through Coursera, provides flexibility but inherently lacks the hands-on clinical component typical of in-person CNA programs, which is a critical consideration for a role requiring physical patient care skills.
The learning outcomes are concrete and aligned with core CNA duties, such as providing basic patient care, monitoring vital signs, and applying infection control procedures. The course's value is enhanced by the Johns Hopkins University affiliation and the inclusion of a certificate of completion, which may bolster a resume. However, at $49 per month, the total cost is variable and depends on completion time, making it a flexible but potentially ongoing financial commitment. This course appears strongest as a theoretical foundation and preparatory knowledge base, which a learner would then need to supplement with state-required clinical hours and a separate certification exam to become a licensed CNA.
Pros and cons of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training
Pros
- Comprehensive curriculum covering patient care fundamentals, vital signs, infection control, and HIPAA
- Expert-led instruction from Johns Hopkins University healthcare professionals with clinical and teaching experience
- Flexible online format with a paced schedule of 5 hours per week over 4 months
- Includes a certificate of completion to add to professional credentials
- Clear, practical learning outcomes focused on real-world CNA tasks like patient assessment and EHR documentation
Things to consider
- Online-only format cannot provide the hands-on clinical skills practice required for CNA licensure
- Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, which may be a barrier for some prospective learners
- Monthly subscription pricing of $49 can make total cost variable and less predictable than a flat fee
Who should take Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training?
This Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training course is best for career-changers or new entrants to healthcare who need a flexible, foundational online education. It suits learners seeking to understand the theory and procedures behind patient care before pursuing mandatory clinical hours and state certification. It is not a standalone path to CNA licensure but a strong preparatory knowledge base.
Course curriculum for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training at a glance
| Provider | Coursera |
|---|---|
| Instructor | Johns Hopkins University |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Time to complete | 4 months, 5 hours/week |
| Pricing | $49/month |
| Certificate | Certificate |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent |
Fit
Best for
Not ideal for
The bottom line on Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training course from Johns Hopkins University on Coursera delivers a thorough theoretical foundation in patient care with notable credibility. It is a valuable preparatory step for the knowledge portion of CNA training, but learners must be prepared to seek separate, hands-on clinical experience and pass a state exam to achieve actual certification and employment.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training: frequently asked questions
What exactly does the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training course on Coursera provide?
This course provides comprehensive online training in CNA fundamentals, including patient care, vital signs monitoring, infection control, and electronic health record documentation. It is designed to bridge classroom learning with real patient care concepts but does not include the clinical hands-on practice required for state certification.
What are the prerequisites for enrolling in this CNA training course?
The only listed prerequisite for this Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training is a high school diploma or equivalent. No prior healthcare experience is specified as required within the course context.
How much does the CNA Training course cost and is the certificate included?
The course uses a subscription model priced at $49 per month. A certificate of completion is included, but the total cost depends on how quickly you finish the four-month, 5-hour-per-week schedule.
How does this online CNA course compare to a traditional in-person CNA program?
This online Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training offers flexibility and foundational knowledge from a reputable institution but lacks the mandatory hands-on clinical skills training provided by traditional in-person programs necessary for state licensure.
How can I get the most value from this CNA Training course?
To get the most value, treat this Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training as a rigorous knowledge foundation. Commit to the 5-hour weekly schedule, actively engage with all 48 lectures, and plan to pair this theoretical learning with a separate clinical externship to meet full certification requirements.