CNA Training – Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in the Ballad Health Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Program!

General information

Applicants will be contacted via the email address on the application within 1-3 business days of application submission. If any changes need to be made to our program schedule, communication will be sent to all applicants via email. Please add CNAProgram@balladhealth.org to your contacts list to ensure you receive all communications for next steps.

Is there a charge for the CNA class?

There is no charge for the class, but students must purchase solid navy-blue scrubs for labs and clinicals.

Do I have to sign a contract with Ballad Health to take the class?

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.

Where are classroom hours held?

Classroom hours are held in various locations, depending on which class you apply to.

Johnson City:
Market Street Center
CNA Classroom
1106 West Market Street
Johnson City, TN 37604

Kingsport:
Holston Valley Medical Center
130 West Ravine Road
Kingsport, TN 37660

Bristol:
Bristol Regional Medical Center
Elm/Cedar Classroom
1 Medical Park Boulevard
Bristol, TN 37620

Where are clinical hours held?

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.

Can I choose which hospital I want to do clinical in? Can I choose which days I'm in the hospital?

Clinical rotations are determined based on the whole class’s needs for location and days. A clinical instructor must be present with a student when in clinical. Days, locations and instructor are coordinated by the lead instructor on input from students on the first day of class.

Are we really in class for 6 full weeks?

The first 60 hours of a class are in the classroom. After that, you will have a clinical rotation of 5 eight-hour days (40 hours) based on the needs of all students in that class session.

If you are not attending clinical on a day, you will not be in class that day. You will return to the classroom setting after clinical is complete to prepare for the state certification exam.

If I miss a day of class, can I make it up?

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.

What if I miss a clinical day?

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

If you are unable to complete the 40 hours with the class you are in, you may be able to complete hours with the next class, subject to instructor approval.

What do I wear to class?

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.

Do I have to take the flu shot or other immunizations to participate in the course?

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

Can I use my background check or physical from another program?

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.

Have questions about our CNA training program that aren't answered here?

You can learn more about our free CNA training program by visiting our course page, which includes the upcoming class schedule.

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