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Tennessee Nurse Aide Training Program

  • 35-hour HFC-approved online curriculum
  • 16 skills laboratory + 24 clinical hours through your approved facility
  • Facilities register their students; individual registration is not available

✓ 35-hour HFC-approved online curriculum
✓ Facility skills and clinical training required
✓ $695 total, including the registration fee

Overview

For students training through a participating Tennessee facility, WCO provides the HFC-approved 35-hour online classroom curriculum. Your facility provides 16 skills laboratory hours and 24 clinical hours for a 75-hour program. Online completion alone does not provide CNA certification.

Your Tennessee Nurse Aide Training Path

Plan your online learning, facility training and competency testing with your participating program.

1 Confirm Facility & Eligibility

Your participating facility confirms eligibility and registers you. Individual students cannot register themselves. Your facility must hold HFC program approval before online access begins. WCO’s online component is $695 total, including the registration fee; the textbook and competency examination fees are paid separately. Your group’s dates and deadlines are agreed in writing.

2 Complete the Online Curriculum

Complete WCO’s 35-hour online classroom curriculum, required discussions, and examinations by your deadlines. Earn at least 70% on each required lesson examination and the TN Final Exam.

3 Complete In-Person Training

Complete 16 skills laboratory hours and 24 clinical hours through your approved participating facility. Meet skills competency requirements and attend 100% of scheduled skills laboratory and clinical training.

4 Apply for Competency Testing

Follow your program’s instructions to apply for Tennessee competency testing through Credentia.

5 Pass the Required Exams

Pass the required knowledge examination and skills evaluation to qualify for placement on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. Completing the online curriculum alone does not confer CNA certification.

Tennessee Nurse Aide Training Overview

We Care Online provides the 35-hour online classroom curriculum for use with participating Tennessee facility-based nurse aide training programs. Required in-person skills and clinical training are provided separately through the participating facility.

Training and certification: WCO’s 35-hour online curriculum is approved by the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission (Curriculum Only #939), November 2, 2026–October 31, 2028. Each participating facility must obtain its own program approval. Completing the online curriculum alone does not confer CNA certification.
ONLINE LEARNING
35-hour classroom component
Complete the online curriculum through We Care Online.
FACILITY TRAINING
Hands-on learning required
Complete required in-person skills and clinical training through your participating facility.
NEXT STEP
Competency testing
Complete the full program and pass the required knowledge exam and skills evaluation for registry placement.
Nurse Aide Work
  • Support residents with daily activities
  • Provide basic nursing and personal care under supervision
  • Communicate observations to the nursing team
  • Respect residents’ rights and independence
Learning Experience
  • 35 hours of online classroom curriculum
  • 16 skills laboratory hours + 24 clinical hours through your facility
  • Start dates and completion deadlines arranged with your facility
  • Required Hartman textbook, 6th Edition, purchased separately
Before enrolling: Facilities must confirm program approval and student admission requirements with WCO before registration.
What You’ll Learn
  • Foundations of care
  • Basic nursing skills
  • Personal care skills
  • Mental health and social service needs
  • Care of cognitively impaired residents
  • Restorative services

Each lesson includes resident-care scenarios, a discussion, and an examination. Online completion requires at least 70% on each required lesson exam and the TN Final Exam, plus required discussions.

Enrollment Requirements

Facilities register their students. Individual students cannot register themselves. Your participating Tennessee facility provides the required skills laboratory and clinical training. Contact Kayla or Colleen to arrange facility participation.

Upon Completion

Students must complete the full approved training program and pass Tennessee’s competency examination to qualify for placement on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry.

Questions?
Contact We Care Online at 888-932-2501.
Information for Tennessee Facilities

Interested Tennessee facilities can contact WCO about using its online curriculum within their approved nurse aide training program. Facility approval and arrangements for the in-person training components must be confirmed before a class begins.

Requirements

Course Requirements

ENROLLMENT
Facilities register their students for this course. Individual students cannot register themselves. The participating Tennessee facility must arrange required skills laboratory and clinical training. Contact Kayla or Colleen to confirm facility participation and admission requirements before registering students.
PREREQUISITE
Admission and facility-specific eligibility requirements must be confirmed with WCO and the participating program before enrollment.
COURSE STRUCTURE
75 total training hours: 35 online through WCO, 16 in-person skills laboratory hours, and 24 clinical hours through your approved participating facility.
MATERIALS
Required: Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Care: Long-Term Care, 6th Edition, purchased separately. The matching workbook is optional; no workbook assignments are required.
COMPLETION
Earn at least 70% on each required lesson examination and the TN Final Exam, complete required discussions, and meet course deadlines. The full program also requires skills competency and 100% attendance for scheduled skills laboratory and clinical training. Online completion alone does not confer CNA certification.
DATES & COSTS
WCO’s online component costs $695 total, including the registration fee. The required textbook and Tennessee competency examination fees are paid separately. WCO and your participating facility agree in writing on start dates, access dates, and completion deadlines for each group. Confirm any additional facility training costs before enrollment.

Career Info

Nurse aides assist with daily care and support residents under nursing supervision.

What Does a Nurse Aide Do?
  • Assist with bathing, dressing, meals and toileting
  • Support mobility, take vital signs as assigned and promote resident independence
  • Observe and report changes to the nursing team
  • Respect resident rights and follow infection prevention practices
Preparing for the Role

Complete the full required training and competency examination process. Duties, hiring requirements and available positions vary by employer.

Tennessee Pay

Median: $18.27/hour · $37,990/year

The middle 50% earned $17.09–$19.66 per hour. These statewide May 2025 BLS figures include entry-level and experienced nursing assistants. Actual wages vary by employer, location and experience; these are not guaranteed starting wages.

Source: O*NET, BLS May 2025 wage data

Where Nurse Aides Work

Settings include skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, hospitals, assisted living and continuing care communities, and home health, subject to employer and role requirements.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Training and Registry Eligibility

WCO’s online curriculum is one part of the training pathway. Online course completion alone does not provide CNA certification, registry placement or employment. Medication aide and LPN/RN pathways require additional approved training, examinations and credentials. CNA certification is not a nursing license.

Instructor

Kayla Neitzel, APRN
Kayla Neitzel, APRN
Course Instructor

My name is Kayla Neitzel, and I am pleased to welcome you to We Care Online. I bring more than two decades of experience in healthcare and a strong passion for education, mentorship, and supporting individuals as they advance in their professional careers.

I began my nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse after completing my LPN program at Wichita Area Technical College. I later earned my Registered Nurse degree from Pratt Community College and most recently completed my Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Throughout my career, I have worked across a wide range of clinical and professional settings, including cardiac care, medical surgical, orthopedic, and wound care units, post cardiac catheterization recovery, home health, and long term care.

I look forward to working with you and supporting you throughout this experience.

Colleen Villa
Colleen Villa
Course Instructor · Continuing Education Director

Colleen Villa is a dedicated and passionate member of the We Care Online team, making a significant impact as a department director. With an extensive background in healthcare and a genuine desire to help others, Colleen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.

She has worked in various educational settings, including colleges, and provides practical insights and real world examples that enhance student understanding. Her expertise extends across healthcare administration.

Colleen is known for her compassionate approach and genuine interest in student success. She takes time to connect with each individual, understanding learning styles and offering personalized guidance.

Through her engaging style and dedication to excellence, Colleen continues to positively impact the careers of healthcare professionals.

FAQ

Common questions about Tennessee nurse aide training and WCO’s online curriculum.

1Is this program fully online?

No. WCO provides a 35-hour online classroom curriculum for participating Tennessee facility-based nurse aide programs. Required in-person skills and clinical training are separate through the participating facility.

2How do 35 online hours fit into the program?

The 75-hour program includes 35 online hours through WCO, 16 in-person skills laboratory hours, and 24 clinical hours provided by the approved partnering facility.

3Does the online course make me a CNA?

No. Online completion alone does not provide CNA certification. Complete the full required training, knowledge examination and skills evaluation for Tennessee nurse aide registry eligibility.

4What are the admission requirements?

A participating Tennessee facility must register its students and arrange the required skills laboratory and clinical training. Individual students cannot register themselves. The facility and WCO confirm admission and program eligibility requirements before enrollment.

5When do classes begin?

WCO and your participating facility agree in writing on start dates, online access dates, and completion deadlines for each group. WCO must receive the facility’s HFC approval before students receive online access.

6What is the tuition?

The total for WCO’s 35-hour online component is $695, including the registration fee. The required textbook and Tennessee competency examination fees are paid separately. Facilities should confirm any additional costs before registering students.

7What materials do I need?

Purchase Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Care: Long-Term Care, 6th Edition separately. The matching workbook is optional; no workbook assignments are required. You will also need reliable internet access and a device suitable for Canvas coursework.

8How long do I have to finish?

Your group’s online access period and completion deadlines are agreed in writing by WCO and your participating facility. Follow all deadlines posted in Canvas.

9Where do I find testing information?

Tennessee nurse aide testing information is available through Credentia’s Tennessee registration and scheduling guidance. Confirm eligibility and application steps with your participating program.

10How do I enroll or arrange facility participation?

Facilities register their students using the Registration Options form. Individual students cannot register themselves. Interested Tennessee facilities can contact Colleen at colleen@wecareonlineclasses.com or 888-932-2501 ext 102 about using the online curriculum within their approved nurse aide training program. Facility approval and in-person training arrangements must be confirmed before a class begins.

11Where can facilities review refund and payment policies?

Review WCO’s Refund, Payment Plan & Other Policies before registering students. Contact WCO with questions about your facility’s enrollment arrangements.

Enrollment Options:

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