Certified Nurse Aide Training (CNA)
Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training prepares individuals to pass the State of Michigan nurse aide exam and find a rewarding job in the healthcare industry. Our CNA training consists of 115 hours of classroom instruction and clinicals, providing real-world experience with residents at a long-term care facility in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.
We offer individualized job placement and retention services, and one-on-one tutoring when needed. We also incorporate employability skills into our training program to ensure that you are not only successful in completing the program, but successful in obtaining a job after training.
Cost of tuition is $1,800. Scholarships may be available. After you apply, we can help you make a plan to pay for the training.
Part-time and full-time classes are available. The first portion of training is in the classroom and the second includes lab and clinicals.
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
To comply with requirements at our clinical site, Goodwill’s CNA Training program requires all students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved religious or medical exemption before the start of training. Proof of vaccination or approved exemption will be required by the first day of class.
Upcoming Trainings
If you are interested in enrolling in our CNA Training Program, click here to apply.
Our enrollment team will process your application to determine eligibility and connect with you about the next steps. If you have any questions, please contact us at cnatraining@goodwillgr.org.
August 4, 2025 - October 2, 2025
Days: Monday – ThursdayTime: 8:30 am – 3:30 pmClinical practicum: 7:00 am – 1:30 pm, 9/17, 9/18, 9/23, 9/24, 9/25
August 11, 2025 - October 8, 2025
Days: Monday – ThursdayTime: 8:30 am – 3:30 pmClinical practicum: 7:00 am – 1:30 pm, 9/24, 9/25, 9/29, 9/30, 10/1
September 8, 2025 - December 12, 2025
Days: Monday – ThursdayTime: 2:45 pm – 5:45 pmClinical practicum: 7:00 am – 1:30 pm, 12/1, 12/2, 12/3, 12/4, 12/5
September 8, 2025 - December 19, 2025
Days: Monday – ThursdayTime: 6:30 pm – 9:45 pmClinical practicum: 7:00 am – 1:30 pm, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12
October 13, 2025 - December 15, 2025
Days: Monday – ThursdayTime: 8:30 am – 3:30 pmClinical practicum: 7:00 am – 1:30 pm, 12/2, 12/3, 12/4, 12/9, 12/10
Hear from our students
Program Highlights:
Our program has a 94% completion rate and 80% certification rate.
We host career fairs that give our graduates the opportunity to interview with prominent healthcare employers.
95% of our CNA students increase their income. Many graduates go from being unemployed to making between $16 and $21 per hour.
Our Facility
Lab and clinicals take place in person. Lab work is completed at the Goodwill Employment Center, located at 3777 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. The 32-hour clinical portion of our training is completed at a long-term care facility in the Greater Grand Rapids area.
Meet Our Staff
Jodi
RN - Trainer
Before becoming a registered nurse, I spent a few years working as a nursing assistant. Through this experience, I realized how important this role is. The C.N.A. becomes the eyes and ears of the nurse with their residents. Working as a C.N.A. instructor allows me to use my own experiences to train others who are fully committed to becoming compassionate caregivers.
On a personal note, my husband Jeff and I have raised five boys. As challenging as that has been, it has also generated a sense of humor in which I feel is an important part of her teaching style.
Angela
RN - Trainer
Hello, my name is Angela Wheeler. As a Certified Nurse Aide Instructor, it is truly an honor to mentor the participants that choose to attend CNA classes at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids. My hope is that each participant recognizes that they motivate and help to cultivate my passion for teaching. Their dedication and perseverance are awe-inspiring. Several interesting facts that I enjoy sharing with participants are that my husband and I are dog parents, we also take Ball Room Dancing lessons, and I love to sing, although, not very well. Generally, I just love life. The accomplishment that I am most proud of is my ability to follow through with determination. That drive and faith in myself have allowed me to exceed my personal and professional goals through hard work and continued education. Additionally, it is humbling to have the opportunity to share that wisdom with others.
One of the many wonderful perks of teaching in the CNA program at Goodwill is collaborating with such an extraordinary group of individuals. Each person in our team shares unique and amazing talents. We are called in service to positively impact the lives of others and do so with empathy, insight, and commitment. In reflection, I am reminded of a treasured quote, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson. Embarking on a career in healthcare can be exciting and intimidating. It is crucial to encourage people who have chosen to begin that journey. I would advise them to always recall what ignited their passion to help others and to do so with integrity.
Steph
RN - Trainer
I love the Goodwill CNA program! I’m so excited to be a part of it! I find that it is a program that offers great opportunity to not only help start a career path but to also build interpersonal and professional skills. So no matter where you end up, you gain qualities that can only further expand your possibilities!
My advice is to take one day at a time, ask questions and be your best self. You will find that as long as you don’t give up, you can truly accomplish anything!
Supported by United Way.
