CNA Schools in North Dakota

A certified nursing assistant works in various healthcare settings, assisting patients in routine healthcare needs under the directions of a registered nurse (RN) or doctor. Their services lessen the workload of the RNs so that they can focus on their key result areas; the medical duties. CNA classes in North Dakota provide quality training at affordable rates so that more people will be attracted to this profession which is in great demand.

Some of the most admired training programs are offered at Arthur Good Samaritan Society in Arthur, Southwest Healthcare Services in Bowman, University of North Dakota Lake Region in Devils Lake, Bismarck State College in Bismarck and North Valley Career and Technology Center in Grafton. These CNA nursing schools in North Dakota offer programs which are approved by the state and fulfill all the requirements that are laid down by the state legislature.

CNA programs in North Dakota are approved by the Department of Health and the state monitors these recognized programs at regular intervals to keep a check on the quality of training imparted. If you want to be eligible for the state certification examination you must enroll in a training program that is recognized by this department.

You may not have a high school diploma or a GED to enroll in a training program in North Dakota as required in most of the states, but you must pass an entrance test to get started. You can also seek employment before you get certified provided that you challenge the state exam within 120 days of taking up the employment; if you fail to do so, you are not entitled to work as a nurse aide before you get certified. Other requirements include a clean criminal background and sound physical and mental health; a test for both these requirements is mandatory.

The training will last for six to twelve weeks and will cost you $300 to $1400, but those who are employed in a nursing home or have any such offer need not pay for the training. The employer has to take care of all the training expenses including the books, supplies and the exam fee. The certification exam fee costs around $100. Others who seek employment after certification can get their cost reimbursed if you are employed in hospitals or nursing homes.

All state approved programs must give training for at least 75 hours as per the regulations set by the health department. Out of these 16 hours are for clinical training conducted by a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or RN and the remaining is for classroom study.

The classroom study involves subjects like Communication and interpersonal skills, Infection control, Safety and emergency procedures, Promoting residents’ independence and rights etc. The clinical training involves basic nursing and personal care activities; 30 skills required by nursing assistants are taught during these training hours.

After the training you must pass the certification exam which is two pronged. The theory paper can be given in written or oral and the multiple choice questions are picked from a pool of questions which cover all the areas as determined by the department. The practical paper requires you to perform three to five skills randomly selected by the examiner out of the 30 learned skills. A license which is valid for two years will be issued to you on passing the exam. If you work for a minimum of eight hours during these two years and are not involved in any malpractices you can renew your certificate. Other state CNAs can apply for reciprocity to transfer their licenses to North Dakota.

As per the nurse aide registry of the state as many as 13,700 people were registered in North Dakota at the beginning of 2012. The forecast is of a growth of 15 to 20 percent in the employment opportunities for nurse aides in North Dakota by the end of this decade, so you need not worry of being employed once you get certified. CNAs in the state earn anything from $17,000 to $36,000 and their average salary is $28,000 a tear; it is $1000 more than the national averages. If you become LPN or RN you can earn an average salary of $45,000 and $80,000 which means that you can have a rewarding career.

If you have started working as a nurse aide in a nursing home or hospital, enroll in one of the CNA nursing schools in North Dakota and ensure that you get certified within four months of employment to continue practice.