Morning Star Academy in Gaithersburg, MD delivers a focused, 4-week CNA training that meets Maryland and federal requirements. Classes are available Monday–Friday, both in the morning (8 a.m.–2 p.m.) and evening (4 p.m.–10 p.m.). The program combines classroom lessons, hands-on labs with real equipment, and clinical rotations at a local care facility.
Expect to cover a variety of patient-care skills—from taking vital signs and personal assistance to infection control and legal standards. Learning is instructor-led with one-on-one support, ensuring you’re ready for the Maryland Board of Nursing certification. If you’re seeking a rapid, job-focused path into healthcare, thorough exam prep, and flexible schedules, this could be a strong match.
Why It Matters
Choosing a CNA school means balancing speed, quality, and readiness for actual work. Morning Star stands out by committing to a short timeline—just one month—while covering a full range of skills required in care settings from hospitals to nursing homes. The structure ensures you won’t waste time but still build competence.
Their dual-schedule format gives students options to fit training around existing commitments. The use of clinic-approved equipment—manikins, AEDs, CPR, stethoscopes—mirrors what you’ll use in your daily job. Instructors guide you from theory to practical care, and help you understand your future role in a care team.
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What You’ll Learn and Do
Morning Star blends lectures, demonstrations, and active lab exercises. Key skills taught include:
- Vital signs and CPR/AED basics
- Infection control and body mechanics
- Patient hygiene, feeding, toileting, grooming
- Transfers, positioning, range-of-motion exercises
- Documentation, communication, legal boundaries
- Care for dementia, end-of-life situations, ethics
The final week brings clinical rotations in a nursing or rehab facility. You’ll perform supervised care—bathing, charting, meal assistance—to directly prepare for state certification and real-world patient needs.
Learning Environment
Classes are kept engaging, using video, Q&A, and individualized coaching. Instructors tailor instruction based on student progress, offering extra help when needed. You’ll practice on manikins, receive ongoing feedback, and build confidence in a low-pressure setting before entering a clinical environment.
Admissions Standards
Entry is straightforward but ensures you’re ready:
- High school diploma or GED (or pass a Basic Skills test)
- Age 18+, with valid federal/state ID and Social Security card
- Physical exam (within 6 months)
- Negative TB test or chest x-ray (within 6 months)
- Complete Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver
- State and federal criminal background check (within 6 months)
These standards ensure safety and compliance from day one.
Exam Prep & Outcomes
Completing the program certifies you as eligible for the Maryland Board of Nursing exam, with mock tests and lab review days built in. Since clinicals happen on-site, you’re already in the environment where certification skills will be tested.
Graduates earn a Morning Star CNA certificate and benefit from the school’s set-up as a state-approved testing site. A job fair and referral help smooth your transition into employment in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, and home-based care.
Support & Equipment Provided
Every student receives critical tools—uniform, lab materials, CPR/AED instruction—without worrying about extra purchases. The school emphasizes respect and cultural awareness in care and aims to prepare students for teamwork in diverse healthcare settings.
Moral & Community Focus
Morning Star emphasizes integrity, empathy, and competence. The program highlights patient dignity—critical in end-of-life, dementia, and long-term care contexts. Training also touches on personal wellness, helping you guard against burnout as a caregiver.
Who Should Consider Morning Star Academy?
If you’re aiming for a quick, practical path into healthcare, Morning Star Academy delivers exactly that. In just four weeks, you’ll gain in-demand CNA skills, clinical experience, and state certification eligibility. Its dual-schedule flexibility appeals to shift workers or caretakers, while its hands-on, instructor-driven style helps students of all levels build confidence fast.
This program is best for self-motivated individuals who want strong preparation and direct move into patient care. It avoids fluff and zeroes in on what matters—practical skills, respectful service, and readiness to join healthcare teams.
| Category | Details |
| Cost: | Not listed online — contact the school at (301) 977-7393 for current tuition and fees. |
| Duration & Clock Hours: | 4 weeks; specific clock hours not stated, but classes run 6 hours daily, Monday–Friday. |
| Evening/Weekend Classes?: | Yes, evening classes available (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Monday–Friday). No weekend classes mentioned. |
| Online Classes?: | No — all instruction is in-person including hands-on clinical training. |
| Job Placement?: | Yes — includes job fair and employer connections after graduation. |
| Requirements: | – High school diploma or GED (or pass Ability to Benefit exam) – 18+ with valid ID and Social Security card – Physical, TB test, Hep B, background check |
| Address: | 101 Lakeforest Blvd., Suite 402, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 |
| Phone: | (301) 977-7393 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| Website: | https://mstarna.com |
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