Searching for a job and getting one is becoming more challenging these days. On top of it, recession makes the matter worse by creating unemployment. There are no places in the industry for people who do not have skills and qualifications.
Many helpless job seekers change their careers and settle for jobs that do not compensate for their experience and qualifications. However, nursing is one profession that is miles away from feeling the heat of the economic downturn.
If you are a resident of Alabama, you can easily change your career and find a secured job by taking CNA classes in Alabama.
Nursing is a medical profession you can enjoy and retire with. However, to start this revered career, you must get the nurse aide training.
Before that, you must brace yourself and know how you can become a CNA in Alabama. Each state has different mandates in issuing the certification, which is needed for employment.
In all probabilities, you have to complete the nurse aide classes and clear the exam. By attending the lessons, you will have the confidence to pass the exam for certification.
How to Become a CNA in Alabama?
Being a nursing assistant means assisting doctors, nurses, and patients in the healthcare facility. You can work in places where people can stay and receive treatment for recovering from injuries, diseases, physical and mental disabilities.
The registered or licensed nurses will supervise and guide you in the job. Besides certification, another requirement to work as a certified nursing assistant is your age. You must be over or at least 16 years old.
The Alabama health department regulates the CNA training program. You can receive the training in nursing schools and community colleges of your state.
The Red Cross Society also supports aspiring candidates by providing them free nurse aide education. Once you complete the training program, you have to take the certification exam. The National Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) composes the exam.
In case you cannot take the NNAAP exam after completing the training, you can register yourself for the exam with the help of their website.
However, you must appear for the exam within two years. Once you have crossed the time limit, you may have to retake the training program.
The state’s nurse aide Registry will issue the certification after successfully passing the written and practical exams. For finding the authentication of your certificate, visit the website developed by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Prerequisites for the Courses
Although it’s not difficult to pursue certified nursing assistant courses, But, there are specific criteria you must meet.
These include having a clean criminal record, especially on chemical or substance abuse issues.
Before training, the candidate must undergo a medical test to ensure that the candidate is fit enough.
- At least 16 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Medical Check
- Background Check
Required Skills for the Courses
Although there are no requirements for pursuing a CNA course, the applicants must possess good communication skills. These skills will help them to interact well with the doctors, nurses & patients.
They should also have excellent writing skills to jot down the status of patients. The applicants should be highly active & must be able to provide consistently good performance.
- Good communication skills
- Good written skills
Available CNA Training Program in Alabama
Alabama residents are exempted from holding a high school or equivalent diploma to enroll for the training program.
As an Alabama resident, you can take the training even if you are still a high-school student. The idea behind this concept is to help you in getting a job immediately after your graduation. However, the Health Department should validate the training program you have taken.
The information is also available on the website of the address given above. The only requisite of the training program is that it should be by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA).
Certain healthcare settings in the state also offer CNA training. You need to sign and work with them for a specific period after finishing the training and receiving the certification.
Free or Low-Cost Training Program
| Name of the College/Institute | Address | Contact No. |
| American Red Cross | 1101 Washington Street Northwest, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 | (256) 536-0084 |
| Calhoun Community College | 102 Wynn Drive NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35805 | (256) 890-4700 |
| Chattahoochee Valley CommunityCollege | 2602 College Drive, Phoenix City, Alabama 36869 | (334) 291-4900 |
| Bevill State Community College | 491 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Carrolton, Alabama 35447 | 800-648-3271 |
| Easter Seals Central Alabama | 2125 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 | (334) 288-0240 |
| Gadsden State Community College | 1001 George Wallace Drive, Gadsden, Alabama 35903 | (256) 549-8200 |
| H. Council Trenholm State Technical College | 1225 Air Base Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36108 | (334) 420-4200 |
| J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College | 3421 Meridian Street, North Huntsville, Alabama 35811 | (256) 539-8161 |
| Lawson State Community College | 3060 Wilson Road SW, Birmingham, Alabama 35221 | (205) 925-2515 |
| Liveoak Village Independent and Assisted Living | 2300 North Cedar Street, Foley, Alabama 36535 | (251) 943-6733 |
| Morningside of Cullman | 2021 Dahlke Drive Northeast, Cullman, Alabama 35058 | (256) 737-1088 |
| Morningside of Fayette | 404 25th Street, Northwest, Fayette, Alabama 35555 | (205) 932-4003 |
| Morningside of Sheffield | 413 Cox Boulevard, Sheffield, Alabama- 35660 | (256)-381-1058 |
| NHC Place | 1335 Greenbrier Road, Anniston, Alabama 36207 | (256) 835- 3959 |
| Northwest-Shoals Community College | 800 George Wallace Boulevard, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661 | (256) 331-5200 |
| Northeast Alabama Community College | Rainsville, Alabama- 35986 | (256)-228-6001 |
| Oaks on Park wood | 2651 Laurel Oaks Drive, Bessemer, Alabama- 35022 | (205) 497-4560 |
| Regency Pointe | 510 East Grand Avenue, Rainbow City, Alabama 35906 | (256)-456-0016 |
| Reid State Technical College | P.O. Box- 588, Evergreen, Alabama 36401 | (251) 578-1313 |
| Shelton State Community College | 9500 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405 | (205) 391-2211 |
| Southern Union State Community College | 1701 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika, Alabama 36801 | (334) 745-6437 |
| The Olive Home, Inc. | 1100 Second Avenue East, Oneonta, Alabama 35121 | (205)-625-3190 |
| Westminster Village | 500 Spanish Fort Boulevard, Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527 | (251) 626-2900 |
What will you be Taught During the Training?
The classes would consist of classroom and practical sessions. The education will cover subjects such as
| Classroom Session |
|
| Clinical Session |
|
How Long Does It Take To Become a CNA In Alabama?
The obligatory training hours for nurse aide training programs in Alabama are 120 hours, including 80 hours of classroom and 40 hours of clinical skills training; the federal mandate has set the mandatory training is 75 hours.
| Classroom Session | 80 hours |
| Clinical Session | 40 hours |
| Total | 120 hours |
The best thing about nursing assistant training in Alabama is that you can start training while you are in high school; this will ensure that you start working as soon as you complete your high school studies.
The training program generally includes cardiopulmonary restoration (CPR) certification apart from the usual topics like patient care, medical terminology, nursing skills, and ethics.
On completion of your training, you will have to pass the certification exam. If you have fulfilled the other requisites, the regulatory board will list your name in their registry, and you can start practicing as a certified nursing assistant.
Prerequisites & Procedure for the Exam
For the certification exam, the CNA program is required to include 120 hours of training, out of which 40 hours are devoted to learning practical clinical procedures.
These courses generally include CPR certification and learning nursing ethics, proper patient care, medical terminology & other nursing related skills.
After the completion of the course, you can take the certification examination in Alabama.
| Exam Type | Question Type | Given Time |
| Written Test | 60 – 70 Multiple Choice | 90 – 120 Minutes |
| Practical Test | 5 Random Selected Skill | 25 – 40 Minutes |
Alabama candidates must pass the written & skills exams successfully to apply for certification & jobs.
After that, The board will require your fingerprint cards for approval, and the state & federal will check your backgrounds.
Once you clear the certification examination & all these requirements, you will get registered under the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry.
Who is the Regulatory Board?
The Alabama Department of Public Health is responsible for confirming and keeping up CNAs’ status in the state.
Who Takes the CNA Exam?
The CNA test in Alabama is controlled by the NACES Plus Foundation related to Pearson VUE and Prometric.
Where Can I Take the Exam?
- Alexander City
- Eufaula
- Gadsden
- Huntsville
- Montgomery
- Selma
- Talladega
- Tuscaloosa
How Much Does it Cost?
CNA training in Alabama will charge you an average fee of $1,000, including all the expenses; in some other states, you will have to pay additional charges for the equipment and study material, which is not the case here.
| Written and skills exam | $100 |
| English Oral & skills exam | $120 |
| Spanish Oral & skills exam | $120 |
| Written retake | $40 |
| English Oral retake | $60 |
| Spanish Oral retake | $60 |
| Skills retake | $60 |
| Oral retake | $60 |
Suppose you are not in a position to pay for the training. In that case, you will find some healthcare facilities that provide training for free. All you have to do is sign an agreement of employment with the facility after getting certification.
You can even find some community colleges or universities offering low-interest financial aid for nursing assistant training if you find difficulty finding a free program nearby.
How Much Does a CNA Make In Alabama?
Knowledge of all these skills will ensure that you clear the certification exam and have the efficiency to work professionally as a nurse aide once you start to practice.
Once you obtain your license, you will find many opportunities to work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other medical facilities across the state of Alabama.
The average pay of CNA in Alabama is USD 30,000 per annum. The average annual pay for nursing aide in this state ranges from USD 17,000 to USD 40,000.
Listed below is the average annual pay of nursing aides working in different industries for certified nursing aide.
| Designation | Average Annual Pay |
| Personal Caregiver | USD 17,000 |
| Long Term Facility | USD 34,000 |
| Psychiatric Aide | USD 24,000 |
| Hospital-Based Nurse Aide | USD 24,000 |
The average pay of LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in Alabama is USD 49,000 per annual.
The average pay of an RN (Registered Nurse) in Alabama is USD 83,000 per annual.
With experience and continued education, you can get an even higher pay scale; specializations like a psychiatric aide or pediatric care nurse aide can be an added advantage.
CNA nursing schools in Alabama ensure that you get wholesome training and education to easily pass the state certification test and start a rewarding nursing career as soon as possible.
What Does a CNA Do In AL?
Certified nursing assistants have to practice nursing under the guidance and supervision of their senior nurses.
They perform various responsible tasks such as feeding and bathing the patients, providing them with medication, helping them recover the disabilities, re-positioning them whenever required, keeping their health records, recognizing their vital signs, and communicating between them and doctors.
All of these jobs require highly skilled knowledge of nursing, which is acquired after taking CNA classes.
Advantages of Alabama CNA Training
Generally, all the Alabama state-approved certified nursing assistants’ programs provide the students with all the necessary tools such as course material, two sets of uniforms, a lab coat, a pair of shoes, a watch, a stethoscope, a background check proof, TB screen report, etc.
Some of them also provide the payment of the exam fees. Whether the course instructors are accredited or not, the courses offer CPR training during the nursing course work. These are some of the advantages of Alabama nursing aide training programs.
Once you get the certification and license of being a certified nursing aide in Alabama, your name gets registered on the Alabama state nurse aide registry.
To maintain the certificate and license active on this registry, one has to continue the nursing practice in 24 months actively failing to do so, the license will be declared as ‘inactive’ or ‘expired’ by the registry, and then, the respective candidates have to reapply for the same. Usually, this period of renewal is two years.
The candidates get to know about the renewal information well before the date of deactivation or expiry. Hence, one has to keep updating the personal data regarding mailing and postal addresses on the registry.
Attending the CNA classes in Alabama is a very convenient and reliable way for becoming successful nursing assistant professionals.
Conclusion
In the current global slowdown, it is a challenge to hold on to your current job; forget about landing in a new, lucrative one.
No matter how qualified or skilled you are, no industries are offering new jobs, and it is difficult for people to meet their financial commitments in these tough times.
But you will be surprised to know that one industry is in a boom in this situation; the medical field and the forecast for job opportunities in this field are even brighter for the next decade.
If you live in Alabama, you can quickly enter the healthcare profession with a starting level job by enrolling in a CNA nursing school in Alabama.