The Delmar Gardens Family CNA Training

Classes and clinical training are held at four Delmar Gardens campuses:

• Chesterfield (14855 North Outer 40 Road)
• O’Fallon (7068 South Outer 364)
• Sappington (5300 Butler Hill Road)
• Meramec Valley (Arbor Terrace, Fenton)

Each location hosts trainees hired as part of the community staff, allowing real-world work and learning in the same place—no classroom commutes elsewhere.

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The 175-hour requirement is state-mandated and includes both classroom instruction and clinical experience. Trainees must complete all hours, pass the certification test, and be MA Certified within 120 days of hire.

During training, you’re expected to uphold work standards—show up punctually, attend scheduled classes, and complete shifts as assigned. Being an employee during training means you’re integrated into the team from the start, rather than a separate student.

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Trainees earn $15/hour while completing clinical hours. Once certified, the rate jumps to $17/hour, and as a full-time CNA, you become eligible for:

• $250 bonus after 90 days (plus benefits begin)
• $250 bonus at six months
• $500 bonus at one year
• Totaling $1,000 in potential bonus pay

This structure provides immediate income and rewards progression over the first year of employment.

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Delmar Gardens describes its facilities as comfortable senior living environments, distinguishing them from “typical nursing homes.” They promote flexible scheduling—4-, 8-, and 12-hour shifts, PRN, part-time, and full-time—along with daily pay, shift and weekend differentials, and a friendly work culture.

They also highlight work/life balance, tuition assistance, loan forgiveness, and opportunities for career growth—along with perks like holiday bonuses, 401(k) with match, health insurance, and paid time off.

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To enter the program, applicants must:

• Apply via Delmar Gardens link and be accepted as a Nurse Assistant Trainee
• Be hired at one of the participating locations
• Meet employment standards (background check, good standing, punctuality, attendance)
• Complete certification within 120 days of starting
• Maintain active employment status to receive bonuses and benefits

Exact prerequisites like age, education, or immunizations aren’t specified here, but typical employment screenings likely apply.

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Here’s a step-by-step look:

1. Apply and get hired as a Trainee/NA.
2. Begin clinical training and earn $15/hour while completing 175 training hours.
3. Attend and complete classes and on-the-job learning in your facility.
4. Take and pass the state CNA certification exam within 120 days.
5. Get promoted to CNA, raise pay to $17/hour, and start bonus milestones.

After certification, benefit eligibility kicks in at three months, with incentives continuing through the first year.

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Delmar Gardens promotes growth from within—many staff members advance from CNA roles to higher responsibilities. Their range of career paths includes nursing leadership, therapy services, culinary, administrative, and even home office roles.

Plus, they have a tuition assistance and loan forgiveness program, suggesting support if you’re considering further education like LPN or RN training.

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• Zero-cost training with paid clinical hours
• Immediate employment from day one as a trainee
• Bonuses and pay raises tied to certification and tenure
• Flexible scheduling and supportive facility culture
• Strong career growth potential, financial aid, and benefits

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• Requires relatively fast certification (within 120 days)
• Demands reliable attendance and consistent work performance
• No details about day/online classes—schedule likely tied to facility shifts
• Must remain full-time and in good standing to receive bonuses

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Where most CNA training programs require you to pay tuition upfront, seek clinical placements, and balance study time, Delmar Gardens flips the script—you’re hired immediately, paid while learning, and graduate certified at no personal cost. The model is more like being an employee than a student.

However, it comes with expectations—you’re part of staffing from day one and must perform as an employee and student.

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This program suits someone who wants hands-on learning from day one and values getting paid while training. If you’re ready to commit quickly to classes and certification, think in terms of career growth (benefits, bonuses, and advancement), and like the idea of working in a lived-in senior care setting, Delmar Gardens offers a practical and rewarding option.

On the flip side, if you need flexible, academic-style scheduling or aren’t ready to enter a structured workplace as a trainee, another program might fit better.

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