DALTON, Ga. (December 5, 2025) – Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) has set the 2026 schedule for its certified nursing assistant (CNA) program training.
CNAs typically work at nursing homes, hospitals and other medical centers. They have nursing skills such as recording vital signs, recognizing abnormal changes in their patients, assisting a patient with primary activities such as eating and drinking, and helping a patient become more independent. Many CNAs describe their job as very rewarding because they help patients in their daily lives.
Most classes run Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day classes include Jan. 5-26, Feb. 9-27, May 18 – June 15, June 22 – July 14, Aug. 1-21, Sept. 8-28, Oct. 12-30, and Nov. 16 – Dec. 9. A night class will be offered March 9 – April 28 for those who want to keep working at another job while learning. The night class will be held Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Classes are held at the Hamilton University Base, 1275 Elkwood Drive in Dalton, and are subject to change.
The program includes in-depth classroom instruction, videos, testing, skills development and hands-on clinicals. Hamilton’s 120-hour program also includes basic life support (BLS). It will qualify and prepare participants to sit for the Georgia CNA test to obtain licensure.
Hamilton recently became a CNA testing site through the University of Georgia (UGA). Brenda Hambrick, Hamilton’s Certified Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) coordinator, successfully navigated all regulations and credentialing requirements.
Participants must take the CNA test in Georgia no later than 120 days after graduating from the CNA program. However, training does not need to be completed in Georgia to be eligible to take the Georgia CNA test and become a registered CNA in Georgia.
Prior to Hamilton becoming a testing site, the closest testing site would have been Atlanta, and the second closest is 6 hours away in Southern Georgia.
“Knowing how difficult it is for students to test with constraints such as time, money, childcare, transportation, and other challenges, Brenda has shown her passion and dedication to her students in eliminating the stress of finding a testing site,” said Sandy Sidwell, Clinical Development manager.
Hambrick has restructured the program to include a mock testing exam and practice days after graduation, so students no longer have the stress of scheduling practice time or the test itself. So far this year, Hambrick has maintained a 100-percent student pass rate.
Students must be at least 16 years old to enroll. The program cost is $900, but Hamilton offers tuition reimbursement and scholarships to qualified individuals. Uniform (royal blue) fees are variable depending on brand ordered and are the responsibility of each student.
For more information or to apply, visit VitruvianHealth.com/cna or email [email protected].