CNA Classes in Iowa

Nursing assistants are in high demand, and there is a wide range of CNA training classes available in Iowa. This blog post will provide information to help you find the right course for you. We’ll cover how much it costs, what requirements you need to have, the length of time needed for each class as well as other important factors that can make or break your decision on which school to choose.

CNA Training Classes in Iowa

Iowa offers two types of CNA certification classes, offline and online. Iowa also offers evening and weekend classes for those who can’t attend during the day. We recommend that you speak with your guidance counselor to discuss what is best for you. If you want more information about the different certification classes available in Iowa, visit their websites.

Those are some of the most popular colleges offering CNA classes in Iowa also recognized by the state health department:

  • Iowa Western Community college,
  • East Iowa Community College
  • Kirkwood Community college

Where can you find Free CNA training in Iowa?

Free CNA training is offered at various colleges, nursing homes and hospital accredited programs. You can contact your local hospital or nursing home for more information about free CNA certification classes. If you are employed in the healthcare field, your employer may reimburse all or most of the tuition. For those who serve in the Armed Forces, many military hospitals offer tuition-free continuing education courses for military personnel and their spouses.

Below is a list of nursing homes that offer free CNA training:

Nursing Homes Address Contact No.
Nursing Home & West Winds Villa 402 2nd Avenue, Clarence, IA 52216 (563) 452-3266
Fort Madison Health Center 1702 41stStreet Fort Madison, IA 52627 (319) 372-8021
Fountain West Health Center 1501 Office Park Road, West Des Moines, IA 50265 (515) 223-1223
Franklin General Hospital 1720 Central Avenue East, Hampton, Iowa50441 (641) 456-5000
Friendship Home 714 North Division Street, Audubon, IA 50025 (712) 563-2651
Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 500 Pinehaven Drive Monticello, Iowa 52310 (319) 465-5415
Montrose Health Center, Inc. 400 South 7th Street P.O. Box 248 Montrose, IA 52639 (319) 463-5438
Nelson Manor 1500 1st Avenue, East Newton, IA 50208 (641) 792-1443
New Hampton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 703 South Fourth Avenue, New Hampton, IA 50659 (641) 394-4153
Wheatland Manor Care Facility 316 East Lincolnway, PO Box 369 Wheatland, Iowa 52777 (563) 374-1295
Arbor Springs of West Des Moines 7951 EP True Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266 (515) 223-1135

How to Become a CNA in Iowa?

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Iowa typically follows these steps. Select a CNA program that will provide the necessary training. Meet prerequisite requirements, mainly being at least 16 years of age, having a high school diploma or GED, passing a criminal background check, and providing immunization records. Once you are ready to start the course, proceed with completion of your training afterward take and Pass your certification exam.

What You Will Learn During The Training?

The CNA course is divided up into 2 sections: classroom and practical. The first half of the course covers everything you need to know on paper, while the second part prepares students for their certification exam by teaching them real-life skills with clinical tasks. We have free practice tests available here that simulate what it’s like taking an official test.

Classroom Session
  • Basic science
  • essential nutrition
  • Primary patient care
  • Human body mechanism
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Health and population education
  • Infection control
  • Personal hygiene
  • Patient safety, etc.
Clinical Session
  • Basic patient care
  • Feeding, and medication of patients
  • Bathing and grooming
  • Helping them to stand up and move
  • Re-positioning whenever required
  • Bed making
  • Changing linens
  • Providing with the bedpan
  • Catheter care for female patients
  • Supporting the patients practically and emotionally
  • Maintaining a healthy environment around the patients

How Long Does It Take To Become a CNA in Iowa?

The Iowa program is significantly shorter than other state programs, in that it only lasts for 75 hours. This fulfills the minimum hour requirement set by national nurse aide authorities and emphasizes a focus on all of the basic knowledge needed to be an aide. The 30-hour clinical instruction session makes up just over half (60%) of this time; meanwhile, 40-45 hours are spent at classes study.

Classroom Session 45 hours
Clinical Session 30 hours
Total 75 hours

Procedure for The CNA State Exam

After completing a CNA course in Iowa, you can take the certification exam. This test consists of both written and hands-on parts to ensure that candidates have mastered all aspects necessary for this job. The written part includes 60 multiple choice questions within 90 minutes while the clinical skills evaluation requires five skill demonstrations within 30 minutes, with students achieving at least 70%.

Exam Type Question Type Given Time
Written Test 60 Multiple Choice 90 Minutes
Practical Test 5 Randomly Selected Skill 30 Minutes

Iowa CNA exam costs are as follows:

Written Exam $55
Skills Exam $95

If someone is not comfortable taking the written English test, they can take it in an oral format, but this has to be mentioned before hand when filling out their application form. To make you feel comfortable at exam here we have free practice tests for each section of the CNA exam.

How Much Does Iowa CNA Program Cost?

The cost of a program in Iowa ranges between $500 and $800 which is affordable for one and all. But keep in mind that there are also costs associated with getting supplies like uniforms or practice equipment; these expenses need to be taken into consideration when deciding on how much money you can spend towards earning your certification. Some schools charge around double this amount while still providing students with needed materials such at those mentioned above.

Is Financial Aid Available for CNA Program in Iowa?

The Iowa Department of Education offers post-secondary financial aid, a list of elementary and secondary schools in the state, as well as Higher Education Student Aid. The Iowa College Student Aid Commission also provides grant and loan programs for college students. Financial aid from these institutions is available to those who satisfy qualifications set by each institution. Community colleges may provide indirect costs to eligible students while hospitals may offer full scholarships for CNA Schools in the area. Students should consult these institutions individually for more information on eligibility requirements and related queries.

How Much Does a CNA Make in Iowa?

The annual salary for CNA and orderlies in Iowa, as of the time of this writing, is $30,520 a year. They are also paid depending on location, years of experience, and level of expertise.

Listed below is the average annual salary of a CNA in Iowa.

Designation Average Annual Remuneration
Psychiatric Aide USD 34,000
Pediatric Care Aide USD 35,000
Hospital and Nursing Home Nursing Assistants USD 41,000
Long Term Care CNA USD 30,000
Personal Caregivers USD 31,000
Home Health Aides USD 26,000

We hope that this post has helped you understand more about CNA training classes in Iowa. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible! You can also learn more by reading our other blog posts on the topic or asking a question in the comments section below.