CNA Training – Frequently Asked Questions

There is no contract requirement to attend this course; however, it is our hope that you consider applying for a CNA position at Ballad Health.

A recruiter will be happy to discuss employment opportunities within Ballad Health. For questions, contact our Human Resources Department Recruitment line at (423) 302‑3299 to speak with one of our recruiters. Students will have the opportunity to apply for vacant CNA positions after completing this course.

There are paid student opportunities available. You must complete the enrollment process for the CNA program to be eligible.

Classroom hours for both in-person and Online/Hybrid classes are held at the Training and Education Center (unless otherwise noted on the schedule):

Training and Education Center

Clinical rotations and locations are determined at the beginning of each class.

• The first 16 hours of clinical must be completed in a long-term-care setting, which will be at Wexford House.
• The last 24 hours of a clinical rotation can be completed at a Ballad Health hospital.

Yes! Clinical days are self-scheduled using a sign-up application, so it is possible to complete your clinical hours in the facility of your choice. A clinical instructor must be present with a student when in clinical.

For in-person classes, the first 60 hours are completed in a classroom/skills lab setting. After that, you will self-schedule on a sign-up application to achieve 40 hours.

• 16 hours must be completed in our long-term care facility.
• Remaining 24 hours will be completed in our acute care facilities with an instructor present.

If you are not in the classroom, skills lab or facility, you will not be in class that day. You will return to the classroom and skills lab setting after clinical is completed for a state certification exam prep day.

It is sometimes possible to make up minimal classroom hours (for example, if you’re late one day due to a doctor’s appointment).

However, to meet the minimum requirements of the program for the state, you must attend 60 hours of classroom time and 40 hours of clinical.

Online student "classroom hours" are independent computer-based hours and all must be completed prior to attending skills practice labs and clinical hours.

As noted above, 40 hours of clinical time must be completed to meet the minimum state program requirements.

If you have any other questions about the program, you can contact us by emailing CNAProgram@balladhealth.org or calling (423) 431‑2622.

Tennessee classes

You may wear business casual attire (no blue jeans) or navy blue scrubs in the classroom or skills lab setting.

Navy blue scrubs must be worn in the clinical setting.

Practice in the lab is implemented in the classroom setting. Please wear clothing appropriate for performing skills.

Virginia classes

Students must wear navy uniform pants and a white uniform shirt for all classroom and clinical hours.

All students must be compliant with Ballad Health vaccination policy and meet other health-related requirements.

No, the background check and physical – which includes a drug and nicotine screening – must be completed according to the Ballad Health human resources process.

We do provide you instructions regarding how to complete this in a timely manner, and there is no charge to you.