CNA Program in Northern Virginia — Certified Nurse Aide Training at AVI Career Training
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Start Your Healthcare Career in 150 Hours — Right Here in Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia’s hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies are hiring — and they need qualified CNAs now. AVI Career Training’s state-approved Certified Nurse Aide program gives you the skills, the clinical hours, and the exam preparation to walk across the graduation stage and straight into a job you’re proud of.
No waitlists. No semester delays. Real hands-on training in a program built for real life.
Apply Now — Start Your Healthcare Career →
📞 Questions first? Call us: (703) 943-9841
| ✅ 150-Hour Program | ✅ COE Accredited · SCHEV Certified | ✅ Financial Aid + GI Bill® Available |
|---|---|---|
| One of Virginia’s shortest paths to a state-recognized CNA credential | Employer-trusted accreditation from day one | Funding options for every budget — including military-connected students |
Why Choose AVI Career Training for Your CNA Certificate?
When you’re investing your time, money, and energy into a new career, the school you choose matters as much as the credential you earn. Here’s why working adults across Northern Virginia choose AVI.
1. Virginia-Approved, Employer-Recognized Credentials
AVI Career Training is COE-accredited and SCHEV-certified — the two marks of legitimacy that Virginia employers, nursing facilities, and hospital systems look for when they review your application. Your CNA certificate from AVI isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s proof you trained at a school that meets the Commonwealth’s rigorous standards for healthcare education. When you apply for jobs at INOVA, Sunrise Senior Living, or any of the dozens of healthcare employers in the Fairfax County corridor, your credential will stand up.
2. Everything You Need, All in One Place — Including Your Clinical Hours
Some programs sell you on low-cost theory courses online, then leave you scrambling to find a clinical placement on your own. At AVI, your theory instruction and your required hands-on clinical hours are built into a single, coordinated program — no hunting for a separate skills lab, no confusion about what’s included. You learn the knowledge and practice the skills in one structured experience, the way Virginia’s Board of Nursing intended.
3. Small Classes, Real Instructor Attention
You’re not a number in a lecture hall of 80. AVI’s intimate class sizes mean your instructors actually know your name, notice when you’re struggling with a skill, and make sure you’re ready before you sit for your state competency exam. That kind of individualized attention is the difference between showing up to your clinical skills test feeling nervous and showing up feeling prepared.
4. A Location That Puts You Where the Healthcare Jobs Are
AVI is located at 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182 — in the heart of the Tysons Corner corridor, one of Northern Virginia’s most concentrated healthcare employment zones. INOVA Fairfax Hospital, countless long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies are all within easy commuting distance. Training where the jobs are isn’t an accident; it’s a strategic advantage.
5. Financial Aid Available — Including GI Bill® Benefits
The cost of training should never be the reason you don’t start. AVI offers financial aid options for eligible students, and we proudly accept the GI Bill® — making our CNA program one of the most accessible in the region for veterans and military spouses who make up such a significant part of the Northern Virginia community. Talk to our admissions team before you assume you can’t afford it. Many students are genuinely surprised by what they qualify for.
CNA Program Curriculum — What You’ll Learn in 150 Hours
Virginia’s Board of Nursing requires CNA candidates to complete a state-approved training program before they can sit for the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation — the written and clinical skills exam that earns you your official certification. AVI’s 150-hour curriculum is designed to meet every one of those requirements while preparing you to actually use what you’ve learned on day one of your first job.
Core Skills & Knowledge Areas
Foundations of Nursing Assistance
Understanding the role of the nurse aide within the healthcare team, professional standards, ethical responsibilities, patient rights, and the legal framework of caregiving in Virginia.
Patient Care & Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Assisting patients and residents with bathing, grooming, dressing, oral hygiene, toileting, ambulation, and repositioning — the everyday skills that define compassionate, dignified care.
Vital Signs Measurement
Accurate measurement and documentation of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation — the clinical observations nurses depend on you to get right.
Infection Prevention & Control
Hand hygiene, standard precautions, personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation procedures, and the practices that keep patients — and you — safe in any healthcare setting.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Effective verbal and nonverbal communication with patients, residents, families, and the nursing team; documentation basics; and reporting observations accurately.
Safety & Emergency Procedures
Fall prevention, body mechanics, fire safety, disaster procedures, and responding to urgent patient situations.
Restorative Care & Rehabilitation Support
Supporting patient independence, range-of-motion exercises, and working alongside physical and occupational therapy teams.
Long-Term Care & Hospital Settings
Understanding the differences between nursing home care, acute hospital care, home health, and assisted living — so you’re prepared for the full range of CNA employment environments.
Mental Health & Cognitive Impairment Care
Communicating with and caring for patients experiencing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, or depression — skills that are in constant demand across Northern Virginia’s aging population.
Hands-On Clinical Training
The clinical component of your training is where knowledge becomes competence. Under qualified instructor supervision, you’ll practice the manual skills — the bed baths, the transfers, the vital sign checks, the catheter care — in a structured setting before you ever work with a real patient on your own. By the time you complete your clinical hours, you won’t just know the procedures; you’ll own them.
Virginia State Board Exam Preparation
The Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation has two components: a written knowledge test and a clinical skills demonstration. AVI’s curriculum is built backward from those two exam components — meaning everything you study and practice directly maps to what you’ll be tested on. We spend dedicated time on:
- Reviewing high-frequency written exam topics
- Practicing the specific clinical skills examiners evaluate
- Building the confidence to perform under observation
Virginia requires a passing score on both components to be listed on the Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Registry — the database employers check before they hire. We make sure you’re ready to pass the first time.
Career Outcomes — Where a CNA Credential Takes You in Northern Virginia
An Honest Look at What CNAs Earn in the DMV
Northern Virginia is one of the strongest markets in the country for healthcare workers — and CNA wages reflect that. CNAs in the Northern Virginia / Washington DC metro area typically earn:
- Starting wages: $18–$21 per hour in entry-level roles
- Experienced CNAs: $22–$24+ per hour in hospital and specialty settings
- Premium shifts: Evening, overnight, and weekend differentials can push hourly earnings significantly higher
At those wages, your training investment pays for itself within months of employment — not years. That’s the math that makes a short, focused certification program one of the smartest financial decisions you can make.
Wage ranges are based on regional labor market data and are provided for informational purposes. Individual earnings will vary based on employer, setting, shift, and experience.
Where CNA Graduates Work
The Northern Virginia healthcare market is vast and growing. With a Virginia CNA certificate, you’re qualified to apply for roles at:
- Hospital systems — INOVA Health System, HCA Virginia, Sentara
- Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care — Sunrise Senior Living, Sunrise of McLean, The Virginian, Arden Courts, and dozens of independent facilities
- Home health agencies — Providing one-on-one care for clients in their homes
- Assisted living communities — Growing rapidly as the NoVA population ages
- Rehabilitation centers — Supporting post-surgical and post-injury recovery
- Memory care facilities — Specialized care for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients
The bottom line: CNA is one of the few entry-level credentials with an essentially zero-unemployment job market in this region. Northern Virginia’s aging demographics, high physician-to-patient ratios, and concentration of federal healthcare spending make this one of the most durable career starts available.
CNA as a Stepping Stone
Many of AVI’s CNA students don’t plan to stop at CNA — and they shouldn’t have to. Your CNA credential is a recognized first step on the licensed healthcare career ladder:
- CNA → LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) — Many LPN programs give credit or preference to working CNAs
- CNA → RN (Registered Nurse) — Accelerated bridge programs exist specifically for CNAs with clinical experience
- CNA → Medication Aide / CMA — Add credentials and increase your earning power without starting over
- CNA → Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomy, EKG Tech — Stack credentials in the direction your interests take you
Starting as a CNA means starting inside the healthcare system — building experience, earning income, and gaining clinical perspective that makes every next credential more meaningful.
Your Path from Enrollment to Employment
We’ve made the process as simple and straightforward as possible. Here’s exactly how it works:
Step 1: Connect With Our Admissions Team
Visit our campus, call us at (703) 943-9841, or fill out our quick inquiry form online. This is your chance to ask every question you have — about the curriculum, the schedule, financial aid, and what a typical week in the program looks like. No pressure, no obligation. Just a real conversation with people who want to help you make the right decision.
Step 2: Complete Your Application & Enrollment
When you’re ready, complete your enrollment application. Our admissions team will walk you through the required documentation, review your financial aid options (including GI Bill® eligibility if applicable), and confirm your program start date. We’ll make sure you know exactly what to expect before your first day.
Step 3: Attend Your Classes & Clinical Training
Show up ready to learn. Your instructors will guide you through every hour of the curriculum — from your first day of theory through your final clinical skills session. Bring your questions, your work ethic, and the willingness to practice. We bring the rest.
Step 4: Prepare for and Pass Your Virginia State Exam
Before you sit for the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, AVI’s instructors will work with you to make sure you’re ready for both the written test and the clinical skills component. Your state exam registration, testing site information, and next steps will all be clearly communicated before you graduate.
Step 5: Get Listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry — and Get Hired
Once you pass your state exam, you’re officially listed on the Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Registry. From that point forward, you’re credentialed, you’re competitive, and you’re ready to apply. Our team is here to support you through the job search as well — with guidance on local employers, resume tips, and the market knowledge to help you land the right role.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Flexible Funding Options for Every Student
We believe that cost should not be the barrier that keeps someone who would make an excellent nurse aide out of the healthcare field. AVI Career Training is committed to making the CNA program financially accessible for qualified students from every background.
Financial aid is available for eligible students through approved funding programs. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a working parent, or a career changer navigating a tight budget, we encourage you to explore what you qualify for before making any assumptions about affordability.
GI Bill® benefits are accepted at AVI Career Training. If you’re a veteran, active-duty service member, or military spouse with GI Bill® eligibility, your training may be fully or substantially covered. Northern Virginia’s large military-connected community deserves access to civilian career training without financial penalty — and AVI is proud to serve that community.
Payment plan options are also available. Talk to our admissions team about structuring your tuition in a way that works with your current financial situation.
For current tuition figures, financial aid details, and to understand exactly what you’d owe out of pocket, contact our admissions office directly. We’ll give you the complete, transparent picture.
Talk to Admissions About Funding Your Training →
📞 (703) 943-9841
Frequently Asked Questions About AVI’s CNA Program
Q: Do I need any previous healthcare experience or education to enroll?
No prior healthcare experience or college education is required to enroll in AVI’s CNA program. You will need a high school diploma or GED, and you must be at least 18 years of age. If you have a genuine desire to care for people and the commitment to complete 150 hours of training, you have what it takes to get started. Contact our admissions team if you have specific questions about eligibility requirements.
Q: How flexible is the schedule? I’m working and/or have children at home.
You’re not alone — the majority of AVI’s CNA students are managing work, family, and other responsibilities alongside their training. Our admissions team will walk you through the current schedule options and help you determine whether the program timing is workable for your situation. We strongly encourage you to have that conversation before you assume it won’t work. Many students who thought they couldn’t fit it in found a way when they understood the actual structure.
Q: What is the Virginia CNA state exam, and how does AVI prepare me for it?
The Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Virginia Board of Nursing. It consists of two parts: a written knowledge exam (or oral exam upon request) and a clinical skills performance evaluation in which you demonstrate specific hands-on care skills to an examiner. AVI’s entire 150-hour curriculum is built to prepare you for both components. By the time you finish the program, you will have reviewed the written exam content repeatedly and practiced each of the evaluated clinical skills to the point of real competency — not just familiarity.
Q: Is AVI’s CNA program accredited? Will employers recognize my credential?
Yes. AVI Career Training is COE-accredited and SCHEV-certified, and our CNA program meets all Virginia Board of Nursing requirements for state-approved nurse aide training. Upon passing the state competency evaluation, you will be listed on the Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Registry — the official database that Virginia employers use to verify CNA credentials. Your credential comes from a state-approved program and is backed by a recognized accreditor. It will be taken seriously anywhere you apply in Virginia and across most other states.
Q: Does AVI help with job placement after graduation?
AVI Career Training is deeply embedded in the Northern Virginia healthcare and wellness community. While we cannot guarantee employment — no school legitimately can — we provide our graduates with meaningful support during the job search, including guidance on local employers actively hiring CNAs, resume and application tips, and the market context to apply strategically. The Northern Virginia CNA job market is one of the strongest in the country; our job is to make sure you’re prepared to take full advantage of it.
Ready to Begin? Your Healthcare Career Starts Here.
Every week you wait is a week you could have spent getting closer to a career that’s stable, meaningful, and genuinely in-demand. The Northern Virginia healthcare market is not slowing down — and the window to get trained, certified, and hired at competitive wages is wide open right now.
150 hours. State-approved. COE-accredited. Financial aid available.
This is the most direct path from where you are today to where you want to be.
Three ways to take the next step — right now:
→ Apply Online Today
Complete a quick inquiry form and our admissions team will follow up within one business day.
→ Call Us Directly
📞 (703) 943-9841
Talk to a real person, ask your real questions, and get straight answers.
→ Visit Our Campus
📍 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182
Come see the facility, meet the team, and get a feel for what training at AVI looks like in person.
AVI Career Training is a COE-accredited, SCHEV-certified institution. Financial aid is available for eligible students. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.