CNA Program in Northern Virginia — Become a Certified Nurse Aide at AVI Career Training

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Start Your Healthcare Career in Weeks — Not Years

Northern Virginia needs caregivers. AVI Career Training’s 150-hour Certified Nurse Aide program gives you the state-approved skills, real clinical experience, and exam preparation you need to step into a rewarding healthcare role — fast. No four-year degree required. No waiting for the next semester to start.

Apply Now — It Takes 5 Minutes →

📞 Questions? Call us: (703) 943-9841

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✅ COE Accredited & SCHEV Certified — Virginia state-approved, employer-recognized
⏱️ 150 Hours — Complete your training in weeks, not semesters
💰 Financial Aid Available — Including GI Bill® for eligible veterans

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Why Choose AVI Career Training for Your CNA Certification?

You have options when it comes to CNA programs in Northern Virginia. Here’s why working adults, career changers, and first-time students in Fairfax County consistently choose AVI.

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1. Credentials That Employers in Northern Virginia Actually Recognize

AVI Career Training is COE Accredited (Council on Occupational Education) and SCHEV Certified (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia). These aren’t marketing badges — they are the exact accreditation and state certification signals that healthcare employers and licensing boards look for when they review where you trained.

When you graduate from AVI, your credential carries weight at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and assisted living communities throughout the DC metro area. You’re not handing a hiring manager a certificate they’ve never heard of. You’re presenting a credential from a school that meets the same rigorous standards evaluated by Virginia’s oversight bodies.

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2. Real Hands-On Clinical Training — Not Just Classroom Hours

Reading about patient care doesn’t prepare you to provide it. AVI’s CNA program is built around hands-on, skills-based learning that mirrors what you’ll encounter on your first day of work and on your Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation.

You’ll practice patient transfers, vital sign monitoring, personal care procedures, and infection control protocols in a structured clinical environment before you’re ever in front of a patient. By the time you sit for your state exam, the skills feel like second nature — because you’ve done them, not just studied them.

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3. Instructors Who Know the Northern Virginia Healthcare Market

AVI’s instructors aren’t reading from a generic curriculum. They bring direct, real-world experience in healthcare settings across Northern Virginia and the DC metro region. They know what hiring managers at local facilities expect. They know the shortcuts that trip up students on the competency evaluation. And they teach small enough groups that you’re never just a face in a lecture hall.

If you’re stuck on a skill, confused about a concept, or nervous about the state exam, you have direct access to instructors who are invested in your outcome — not just your enrollment.

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4. You Don’t Have to Wait for a Semester to Begin

NOVA is a fine institution. But if you apply in June, you might not start until August — or later. AVI operates on a rolling admissions model, which means you’re not held hostage to an academic calendar. When you’re ready to move, we’re ready to move with you.

For someone who needs income sooner rather than later, that difference in start time isn’t trivial. Weeks of waiting translates directly into weeks of lost wages in a career you’re fully qualified to begin.

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5. Financial Aid and GI Bill® Acceptance — Because Cost Shouldn’t Block Your Future

AVI offers financial aid options for students who qualify, and we proudly accept the GI Bill® for eligible veterans and service members. If you’ve been putting off healthcare training because you weren’t sure how to pay for it, we encourage you to start the conversation. Our admissions team can walk you through what’s available and help you understand your options before you commit to anything.

Talk to Our Admissions Team →

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CNA Program Curriculum — What You’ll Learn in 150 Hours

Virginia requires a minimum of 120 hours for CNA training, but the state’s expectations for competency are high. AVI’s 150-hour program exceeds the minimum threshold and provides comprehensive preparation for both the written and skills portions of the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation.

Here’s what the program covers:

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Foundational Patient Care

You’ll build a thorough understanding of the nurse aide’s role within the healthcare team — including scope of practice, professional ethics, patient rights, and the legal responsibilities every CNA carries into every shift.

Role of the Certified Nurse Aide

Patient rights and dignity

Healthcare team communication and reporting

Ethical and legal standards in patient care

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Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

The bulk of a CNA’s daily work involves helping patients and residents with the physical tasks of everyday life. You’ll learn to provide this assistance safely, respectfully, and according to care plans.

Bathing, grooming, and oral hygiene

Dressing and undressing assistance

Toileting, continence care, and catheter care

Nutrition assistance and feeding support

Mobility assistance and positioning

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Vital Signs and Clinical Skills

Accurate vital sign measurement is a core CNA competency — and a testable skill on the Virginia state exam. You’ll practice these procedures until they’re precise and automatic.

Measuring and recording blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration rate

Recognizing and reporting abnormal findings

Height and weight measurement

Intake and output documentation

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Infection Prevention and Control

Healthcare-associated infections are a serious and preventable patient safety issue. You’ll learn the protocols that protect both patients and healthcare workers.

Standard precautions and hand hygiene

Personal protective equipment (PPE) use

Isolation procedures

Medical asepsis and environmental safety

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Safe Patient Handling and Mobility

Improper patient transfers are one of the leading causes of injury for both CNAs and patients. AVI’s clinical training emphasizes body mechanics, assistive equipment, and safe movement protocols.

Body mechanics and injury prevention

Transfers: bed to chair, bed to stretcher, chair to toilet

Use of gait belts, wheelchairs, and mechanical lifts

Positioning and range of motion exercises

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Communication and Observation

CNAs are the healthcare team’s frontline observers — often the first to notice that something has changed with a patient. You’ll develop the communication and observational skills to report meaningfully and advocate effectively.

Verbal and nonverbal communication with patients and families

Reporting changes in patient condition

Documentation basics

Working with patients experiencing cognitive impairment, dementia, or behavioral health challenges

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Virginia State Exam Preparation

AVI’s program is explicitly structured around success on the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, which consists of a written knowledge test and a hands-on skills demonstration. Your instructors will conduct practice evaluations, identify skill gaps, and make sure you walk into test day with confidence — not anxiety.

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Career Outcomes — What a CNA Credential Means in Northern Virginia

The Northern Virginia healthcare market is one of the strongest in the country. The region’s aging population, high-income households, concentration of elite medical facilities, and proximity to Washington, D.C. combine to create persistent, well-compensated demand for certified healthcare professionals.

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What CNAs Earn in Northern Virginia

CNA salaries in Northern Virginia consistently outpace the national average due to regional cost of living, healthcare demand, and competition among employers for qualified staff. While compensation varies by employer, setting, and experience, CNAs in the Northern Virginia/DC metro area routinely earn competitive hourly wages that provide genuine financial stability — particularly for entry-level healthcare work that requires weeks of training rather than years.

Salary data varies by employer, setting, experience level, and shift differentials. Contact our admissions team for current local market context.

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Where CNAs Work in Northern Virginia

After completing your certification, you’ll be qualified to pursue positions across a broad range of healthcare settings, including:

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) — Long-term care and post-acute rehab settings throughout Fairfax County and Northern Virginia

Hospitals — Including Inova Fairfax, Inova Loudoun, Reston Hospital Center, and others in the region

Assisted Living Communities — A rapidly growing sector in Northern Virginia as the area’s population ages

Home Health Agencies — Providing one-on-one care in patients’ homes, often with schedule flexibility

Memory Care Units — Specialized dementia and Alzheimer’s care in dedicated facilities

Rehabilitation Centers — Supporting patients recovering from surgery, injury, or illness

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CNA as a Launchpad — The Career Ladder Is Real

Many of AVI’s CNA students aren’t just looking for a first job. They’re looking for a first step. The CNA credential is widely recognized as the most practical entry point into a healthcare career — one that opens doors to further advancement without requiring you to start from zero.

Common career progression paths from CNA include:

CNA → Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — With additional education and licensure

CNA → Registered Nurse (RN) — Through an LPN bridge or direct ADN/BSN programs

CNA → Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, or other allied health roles — Your clinical experience becomes an asset in applications to other healthcare training programs

CNA → Specialized Care Settings — Pediatrics, oncology, cardiac care, and other specialty areas that value experienced CNAs

When you earn your CNA at AVI, you’re not just getting a job. You’re building a foundation.

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Your Path to CNA Certification — From Application to Employment

We’ve designed the enrollment and training process to be straightforward — because the people who need this program most don’t have time for confusion and bureaucracy.

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Step 1: Explore and Ask Questions

Start by reaching out. Use our contact form, call us directly at (703) 943-9841, or stop by our Vienna, VA campus. Our admissions team will walk you through program details, scheduling options, financial aid, and what to expect — with zero pressure and straight answers.

Start the Conversation →

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Step 2: Complete Your Application

AVI’s application process is designed to be simple and accessible. You don’t need to assemble a portfolio, write personal essays, or wait weeks for a decision. Fill out the application, provide basic documentation, and connect with our team to confirm your start date.

Requirements typically include:

High school diploma or GED

Valid government-issued photo ID

Health and immunization documentation (details provided during admissions)

Background screening (standard for all healthcare training programs)

Specific enrollment requirements will be confirmed during your admissions conversation.

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Step 3: Complete Your 150 Hours of Training

Attend your scheduled classes, engage with the clinical skills labs, and take full advantage of your instructors’ expertise. AVI’s structured curriculum moves at a pace designed to be rigorous without being overwhelming — you’ll be challenged, but you’ll be supported every step of the way.

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Step 4: Sit for the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation

After completing your program, you’ll be prepared to take the Virginia state certification exam. The exam has two components:

Written (or oral) knowledge test — Covering the content areas from your training

Skills evaluation — A hands-on demonstration of CNA competencies in front of an evaluator

AVI’s exam prep is built into the curriculum. You’re not on your own when it comes to getting licensed.

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Step 5: Get Certified, Get Hired

Once you pass your state exam, you’ll be added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry — the official state database that healthcare employers check when verifying CNA credentials. At that point, you’re certified, you’re registered, and you’re ready to apply to positions across Northern Virginia’s healthcare market.

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Tuition & Financial Aid

AVI Career Training believes that cost should not be the reason someone misses out on a healthcare career. We work to make the CNA program as financially accessible as possible for qualified students.

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Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for students who qualify. Eligibility is determined through the standard application process and varies based on individual circumstances. AVI’s admissions team can help you understand what options may be available to you before you make any financial commitment.

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GI Bill® Accepted

AVI Career Training proudly accepts the GI Bill® for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and qualifying dependents. If you’ve served and you’re ready to build a civilian healthcare career, your benefits can work here.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

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Flexible Payment Options

We understand that tuition timing matters when you’re balancing a budget. Ask our admissions team about payment plan options and how to structure your investment in a way that works for your situation.

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Ready to talk numbers and get a clear picture of what this program costs?
Request Tuition Information →

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Frequently Asked Questions About AVI’s CNA Program

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Do I need any prior healthcare experience or education to enroll in the CNA program?

No prior healthcare experience is required. A high school diploma or GED is the foundational academic requirement for enrollment. AVI’s CNA program is specifically designed to take students from no clinical background to exam-ready competence. If you’ve been drawn to healthcare but assumed you weren’t qualified to start — this program is built for exactly where you are right now.

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How flexible is the schedule? I’m working full-time (or have kids / other obligations).

AVI understands that most of our students are not blank-slate 18-year-olds with nothing but time. You’re working, you’re parenting, you have a life. Scheduling flexibility is a core part of how we design our programs. Contact our admissions team to discuss current scheduling options, because available session formats can vary by cohort. We’ll work with you to find a fit — or be honest with you if the timing isn’t right.

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What is the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, and what happens if I don’t pass on the first try?

The Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation is the state licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Virginia Board of Nursing. It includes a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills demonstration. You must pass both components to be listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry and work legally as a CNA in Virginia.

AVI’s curriculum is explicitly designed around this exam. We incorporate skills evaluations, practice scenarios, and exam preparation throughout the 150-hour program — not as an afterthought at the end. Students who engage fully with the program enter exam day prepared. If you do not pass on your first attempt, Virginia allows retakes. Your AVI instructors remain a resource to help you identify and address any gaps.

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Is AVI’s CNA program recognized by employers in Northern Virginia? How do I know this credential is legitimate?

Yes — and this is one of the most important questions you can ask before enrolling anywhere. AVI is COE Accredited (Council on Occupational Education) and SCHEV Certified (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia). The program meets Virginia’s state requirements for CNA training, which means graduates are eligible to sit for the Virginia state certification exam and, upon passing, to be listed on the official Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.

Healthcare employers throughout Northern Virginia — from Inova facilities to skilled nursing communities to home health agencies — are familiar with these credentials and standards. You’re not getting a certificate from an unverified source. You’re completing a state-approved program at an accredited institution.

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Does AVI help graduates find jobs after completing the CNA program?

AVI Career Training is deeply rooted in the Northern Virginia healthcare and wellness community. We provide career support and guidance to help graduates navigate their job search and connect with opportunities in the regional market. While we can’t guarantee employment — no school ethically should — we’re invested in your success beyond graduation day. Our instructors and staff understand the local employer landscape and can provide guidance, referrals, and support as you move from certified to employed. Reach out during your admissions conversation to discuss what graduate support looks like for current students.

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Start Your CNA Career in Northern Virginia — Apply Today

You’ve read this far because something in you already knows: this is the move. Healthcare isn’t going away. Northern Virginia’s demand for qualified CNAs isn’t slowing down. And a 150-hour, state-approved program at an accredited school in Vienna, VA is one of the fastest, most credible paths into a career that is stable, meaningful, and built for growth.

The only question left is when.

There’s no semester to wait for. There’s no lengthy admissions process to survive. There’s just a decision — and a form that takes five minutes to fill out.

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🎓 AVI Career Training — CNA Program at a Glance

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| Program | CNA — Certified Nurse Aide |
| Total Hours | 150 Hours |
| Location | 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182 |
| Accreditation | COE Accredited · SCHEV Certified |
| Financial Aid | Available for Qualifying Students |
| GI Bill® | Accepted |
| State Exam Prep | Included |
| Enrollment | Rolling Admissions — No Semester Waiting |

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Ready to Take the First Step?

Apply Now — CNA Program →

📞 Call Us: (703) 943-9841
📍 Visit Us: 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182
📱 Follow Us: @avicareertraining on Instagram and TikTok

Have a question before you apply? Use the same link above to send us a message — we respond promptly and without pressure.

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AVI Career Training is a COE-accredited, SCHEV-certified institution. Financial aid is available to students who qualify. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Program details, scheduling, and tuition are subject to change — contact our admissions team for current information.