Key Points
- CNAs in Hampton Roads earn a median $37,400 annually, or $17.98/hour.
- Portsmouth’s growing 65+ population fuels rising demand for nurse aides.
- Nationwide, CNA positions grow 2% from 2024 to 2034, creating thousands of openings.
Your Guide to CNA Training in Portsmouth, Virginia
Compare CNA classes in Portsmouth, VA by cost, schedule, and student outcomes.
Portsmouth is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metro area, where nursing assistants earn a median annual salary of $37,400 and long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies compete for trained CNAs. The supply of certified nurse aides has struggled to keep pace with demand driven by an aging population and steady turnover in entry-level healthcare roles. Most training programs in the region run four to twelve weeks and cost between $600 and $2,000; graduates still face a state-mandated competency exam and registry application before they can work.
For prospective students, the main tension is timing and money: shorter programs may skip job-placement support, while longer ones add weeks to your start but don’t always improve exam pass rates. Financial aid, evening schedules, and clinical site quality vary widely among approved programs. Jump straight to the program list →
Portsmouth’s Healthcare Landscape: Demand for CNAs
Portsmouth’s healthcare sector is a major employer in the Hampton Roads region, and nursing assistants are a vital part of that workforce. While precise local hiring numbers fluctuate, the long-term trends in this coastal Virginia community point to sustained need for entry-level caregivers across hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.
A Region Anchored by Healthcare
The Hampton Roads area is home to multiple large health systems, including Sentara Healthcare, Bon Secours, and Riverside Health System. These organizations operate acute-care hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialty centers throughout Portsmouth and neighboring cities. Each of these employers regularly lists CNA positions, reflecting the essential role nurse aides play in daily patient care. Beyond the hospital setting, Portsmouth has a dense network of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities that rely heavily on certified nursing assistants to maintain quality care and meet staffing ratios.
Where CNAs Work in Portsmouth
- Hospitals: Acute-care settings like medical-surgical units, emergency departments, and rehabilitation floors employ CNAs to assist nurses with vital signs, mobility, and personal care.
- Long-term care: Nursing homes and memory care centers are the largest employers of CNAs, where residents need ongoing assistance with activities of daily living.
- Home health and hospice: Agencies serving Portsmouth and the broader Hampton Roads area hire CNAs to provide in-home support for clients who wish to age in place.
- Assisted living and retirement communities: These facilities use CNAs to help residents with medication reminders, light housekeeping, and social engagement.
Signs of Steady CNA Demand
Although specific vacancy figures are not published centrally, several indicators suggest demand for CNAs in Portsmouth remains firm. The Virginia Health Care Association and local long-term care providers frequently highlight workforce challenges, and news about recruitment events, sign-on bonuses, or accelerated training partnerships often appears on facility websites. For anyone considering CNA training, calling a few human resources offices or checking online job boards will quickly reveal a steady stream of postings.
How to Gauge the Local Job Market
Prospective students can build a realistic picture of demand by taking a few steps. Visit the career pages of Sentara, Bon Secours, and Riverside Health System to see current openings. Check the websites of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities; many post about hiring needs directly. You can also contact the CNA program coordinator at Tidewater Community College or another training provider; they often track placement rates and can speak to employer demand in the region. Finally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides metro-area employment data for nursing assistants, which can help you compare Portsmouth’s trend lines to state and national figures.
Portsmouth's 65 and older population is projected to keep growing through the end of the decade, and that trend is a major force behind rising demand for certified nursing assistants. Long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and home health agencies throughout the city will need more CNAs to serve this expanding senior population, making now an excellent time to begin training.
Online and Hybrid CNA Classes: Flexible Learning for Virginia Students
Can you complete CNA classes in Virginia entirely online? It's a common question, and the honest answer is: not entirely. Virginia's Board of Nursing requires that all nurse aide programs include supervised hands-on clinical hours, so a fully remote path does not exist. That said, hybrid models have grown considerably, and Portsmouth-area students have real options that fit around jobs, families, and other commitments.
What Hybrid CNA Training Actually Looks Like
In a hybrid online CNA class, the lecture and theory portion moves online or becomes self-paced, while the clinical skills component stays in person at a lab or a care facility. This split works well for adult learners who can absorb classroom material on their own schedule but still need structured time for hands-on practice. Evening and weekend class formats are common in this region to serve students who cannot leave work during the day.
Programs Serving Portsmouth Residents
A few programs stand out for students based in Portsmouth:
- Tidewater Community College: Offers its Basic Nurse Aide Preparation program1 at campuses in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. Delivery is campus-based, but the college's Portsmouth location puts training close to home for many residents.
- Virginia Health Services CNA Apprenticeship: This eight-week, part-time program uses an evening class format with a hybrid structure that blends classroom instruction with on-the-job training at a care facility.2 It is a strong option for anyone who wants to earn while they learn.
- Cradock Technical and Career Center: Located at 4300 George Washington Highway in Portsmouth, this center offers a local, accessible training environment for residents who prefer to stay close to home.3
- Family Care In Home Medical Services: Situated at 801 Court Street in Portsmouth, this provider serves students looking for community-based training options.3
Employer-Sponsored and Flexible Schedules
Some long-term care facilities and home health agencies in the Hampton Roads area sponsor CNA training directly, meaning they hire candidates and cover the cost of certification as part of onboarding. These employer-sponsored programs often offer flexible scheduling by design, since the goal is to move trainees into active shifts as quickly as possible. If you are open to committing to a facility after certification, asking local nursing homes and assisted living communities about their training pipelines is worth your time.
The bottom line: full flexibility is not possible given Virginia's clinical requirements, but between evening cohorts, hybrid formats, and employer-paid programs, Portsmouth students have more scheduling choices than they might expect.
Did you know the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2% growth for nursing assistants and orderlies nationwide from 2024 to 2034? While that may sound modest, it translates to thousands of job openings each year as the healthcare workforce expands to meet rising demand from an aging population.
CNA Salary and Job Outlook in Portsmouth (Hampton Roads Metro)
In the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metro area, nursing assistants earn a median annual salary of $37,400, or about $17.98 per hour. Entry-level wages start around $33,920, while experienced CNAs can earn up to $44,640. Major employers in Portsmouth, such as Bon Secours Health System and Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital, often pay competitive rates, with some facilities advertising hourly wages between $15 and $21.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Median Wage | $37,400 |
| Annual 25th Percentile | $33,920 |
| Annual 75th Percentile | $44,640 |
| Hourly Median Wage (Approx.) | $17.98 |
| Total Employment | 8,850 |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you enjoy working directly with patients in a hands-on role?
CNA work means helping with daily living activities like bathing, feeding, and mobility. If you find satisfaction in providing personal care and comfort, this career path can be deeply fulfilling.
Are you prepared for a physically demanding but emotionally rewarding career?
Shifts often involve lifting, standing for long periods, and managing the emotional ups and downs of patient care. In Portsmouth, many CNAs work in long-term care where building relationships with residents can be especially meaningful.
Can you commit to a short-term training program with a clear job path and room to grow?
CNA programs in Portsmouth can be completed in weeks, not years, and local healthcare facilities are actively hiring. After certification, you can pursue further credentials like LPN or RN to advance your career.
Virginia CNA Certification Requirements: Your Step-By-Step Checklist
Follow these steps to earn your CNA certification in Virginia.
- Complete a state-approved nurse aide training programEnroll in a program approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. The state regulatory minimum is 120 hours, though most programs provide at least 140 hours, including 40 hours of clinical experience. Find approved programs on the Board’s official website.
- Meet age and education prerequisitesThe minimum age is 16. A high school diploma or GED is not required by the state, but individual training programs may set their own admission requirements, always verify with your chosen program.
- Pass a criminal background checkA criminal background check is mandatory. It is typically required for program admission or before you can take the competency exam. Check with your program or testing site for specific instructions.
- Pass the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency ExamThe exam is administered by Credentia and consists of a written (or oral) portion and a skills demonstration. You must complete both parts within 24 months of finishing your training.
- Register with the Virginia Nurse Aide RegistryOnce you pass the exam, your name is automatically added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. This official listing allows you to work as a CNA in Virginia.
- Renew certification every 2 years with required work hoursTo keep your CNA certification active, you must have worked at least 8 hours as a nurse aide during the two-year renewal period. Currently, no continuing education hours are mandated, but check for updates.
Top-Ranked CNA Programs for Portsmouth Students
Below are the top CNA programs serving Portsmouth students, ranked by IPEDS completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. These schools offer a mix of affordability, hands-on training, and employer connections to jumpstart your healthcare career.
Factors considered
- Tuition costs and net price
- Program length and flexibility
- State board approval status
- Graduate employment rates
- Employer partnerships
Data sources
- Internal program database
- Independent program research
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Tidewater Community College
#1Norfolk, VA · $12,000/yr
Best for: Portsmouth residents seeking in-person training
Tidewater Community College serves the heart of Portsmouth with nurse aide training on both its Virginia Beach and Portsmouth campuses. The Career Studies Certificate requires just one semester of study and consistently leads to strong job placement. With open houses and a clear pathway into credit-bearing nursing degrees, TCC is a versatile launch point for healthcare careers in Hampton Roads.
- One-semester, 9-credit program
- Offered on Virginia Beach and Portsmouth campuses
- Teaches patient care, charting, and nutrition
- Covers safety, infection control, and personal care skills
- Prepares for Virginia certification exams
- Nearly all graduates find employment promptly
- Credits may apply toward nursing degrees
- Monthly open house sessions for prospective students
Riverside College of Health Careers
#2Newport News, VA · $20,000 – $25,000/yr
Best for: Students targeting hospital employment pipeline
Riverside College of Health Careers in Newport News is uniquely tied to the Riverside Health System, giving CNA graduates a direct pipeline to employment across the peninsula. The program’s flat $700 tuition and innovative Earn-and-Learn option eliminate financial barriers while providing hands-on clinicals at modern facilities. Completion in just six weeks accelerates entry into the workforce with strong employer support.
- Six-week fast-track program
- $700 total tuition with no hidden fees
- Earn-and-Learn option for tuition-free training
- 72 hours of academic instruction
- 42 hours of clinical skills lab
- 50 hours of hands-on clinical experience
- Virginia Board of Nursing approved
- No prerequisite courses required; 2.0 GPA minimum
Paul D Camp Community College
#3Franklin, VA · $5,000 – $11,000/yr
Best for: Budget-conscious learners in Western Tidewater
Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin anchors nurse aide training for Western Tidewater, including Suffolk and Southampton counties just west of Portsmouth. The Career Studies Certificate aligns with Virginia’s healthcare workforce needs and can be completed in one academic year. With a net price around $4,100, it offers an affordable, regionally-focused entry point for local students.
- One-year Career Studies Certificate program
- Prepares for National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)
- Virginia Board of Nursing approved curriculum
- Teaches therapeutic communication and HIPAA compliance
- Covers culturally sensitive care planning
- Entry-level wages around $31,900 in Hampton Roads region
- Full-time study option available
- Part of healthcare career pathway with immediate employment focus
Virginia Peninsula Community College
#4Hampton, VA · ~$7,000/yr (est.)
Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton offers a comprehensive Certified Nurse Aide program that includes a 40-hour clinical internship and covers exam fees. It is eligible for Virginia’s FastForward workforce grant, which can significantly reduce costs for residents. The low student-to-instructor ratio ensures personalized preparation for the state exam.
- Non-credit workforce certificate program
- 40-hour clinical internship included
- FastForward scholarship eligible (tuition assistance)
- Tuition includes exam voucher and BLS certification
- Background check and drug screen required
- Low instructor-to-student ratio for personalized training
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
- High school diploma or equivalent required
College of the Albemarle
#5Elizabeth City, NC · ~$2,000/yr (est.)
College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, lies just a short drive from Portsmouth and offers multiple nurse aide pathways to fit different goals. Credit and non-credit options cover Nurse Aide I and II, preparing students for the North Carolina registry. The college’s affordability and comprehensive clinical training make it a practical choice for border-area residents.
- Prepares for Nurse Aide I certification (NC)
- Campus-based diploma program
- Covers personal care, vital signs, patient communication
- Includes employment skills training
- Growth and development topics covered
- 160-hour Nurse Aide I course
- 176-hour Nurse Aide II course
- Includes clinical learning experiences
- Prepares for North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry
- High school diploma or GED required
- Mandatory orientation prerequisite
- Teaches personal care, vital signs, and communication
- Competency exam eligibility upon completion
Rappahannock Community College
#6Glenns, VA · $0 – $5,000/yr
Rappahannock Community College, based in Glenns, Virginia, offers nursing assistant training both as a standalone certification and as part of a hybrid Patient Care Technician program. Grant funding often reduces costs, and multiple start dates accommodate varied schedules. While farther from Portsmouth, the hybrid format may appeal to those seeking a blend of online and in-person learning.
- Short-term training program
- Prepares for Virginia state licensure exam
- Skills for multiple healthcare settings
- Practical hands-on learning
- Entry-level healthcare career pathway
- 10-week hybrid program
- Earns both Nurse Aide and Patient Care Technician certifications
- Covers phlebotomy and EKG skills
- Grant funding available for eligible students
- Multiple start dates (February, April, September)
- Combines online lectures with in-person labs
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Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Training in Portsmouth
If you're considering CNA training in Portsmouth, Virginia, you likely have questions about cost, duration, and certification. Here are answers to the most common inquiries to help you get started on your healthcare career path.
CNA training in Portsmouth typically takes 4 to 12 weeks for full-time students. Virginia requires 120 total hours, including 80 classroom and 40 clinical hours. For example, Tidewater Community College's nurse aide preparation program in Portsmouth can be completed in 8 to 16 weeks1, depending on the schedule you choose.
CNA programs in Portsmouth generally cost between $800 and $2,000. The total varies by school and includes tuition, books, and exam fees. For instance, Tidewater Community College's program is priced at $1,267.701. Some employers offer paid training or tuition reimbursement2, so check with local healthcare facilities for opportunities to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Yes, many CNA training providers in the Portsmouth area offer flexible schedules, including weekend and evening CNA classes near me, to accommodate working adults. Additionally, online or hybrid programs allow you to complete classroom hours remotely, though in-person clinical hours are still required. Check with individual schools for current scheduling options.
Yes, Virginia requires a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a state-approved nurse aide training program. You must also be at least 18 years old. Some programs may require a placement test or basic skills assessment, so contact individual schools for their specific admission requirements before applying.
After completing a 120-hour state-approved training program, you must pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam. The exam includes a written and skills portion. Once you pass, your name is placed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. You have 24 months3 to pass both exam sections after completing your training.
The demand for CNAs in Hampton Roads is strong due to the region's expanding healthcare sector and aging population. National trends show much faster than average growth for nursing assistants, and local hospitals and long-term care facilities actively hire, providing job stability and career advancement opportunities.
