CNA Training Classes in Nebraska

The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) profession is one of the more popular and faster growing areas of Nebraska health care. When considering the cost of CNA training to CNA salary ratio and the fact that the CNA position is often a stepping stone to advanced nursing positions such as an RN or LPN, this is an efficient and cost-effective pathway to the field of nursing and health care. The state of Nebraska has CNA certification requirements in place and monitors the CNAs working in the state after meeting the certification requirements. The Nebraska Department of Health monitors agencies, facilities and schools offering CNA classes in Nebraska and the Department of Health and Human Services maintains the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry.

How to Become a CNA in Nebraska

First off, a CNA must be 16 years of age or older and speak as well as write, understand and read English. Second, a CNA who would like to work in a long-term care facility, rehabilitation facility, assisted living, adult day care, respite services, home health agencies, hospice, acute hospital units, intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded and long-term hospital units is required to complete a state approved 75 hour nurse aide training and pass the state nurse aide competency evaluation exam. A CNA who only wants to work in a intermediate care facility for mentally retarded is only required to complete a 21 hour basic resident care course and no competency exam. Completing the 75 hour CNA training allows a CNA to work in all facility types, which may prove beneficial to the CNA who wants to work in a variety of settings or who wants more options. A future CNA who wants to enter professional nursing later on in their career may want to consider that getting listed on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry, which requires completion of the 75 hour CNA training, is an admissions requirement for many of the ADN and BSN programs in the state.

The 75 hour CNA training ends up being a 76 hour training with the state required 1 hour training in how to report suspected abuse or neglect. The 75 hour CNA training also includes at least 16 hours of clinical training. Other topics the CNA classes cover include but are not limited to infection control, safety and emergency procedures, respecting patients’ rights, basic nursing skills and care of cognitively impaired residents.

Successful CNA program graduates are eligible for the competency evaluation exam administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The competency evaluation consists of a written or oral component as well as a skills evaluation component. The competency evaluation is most often administered at 6 to 7 different locations throughout the state each month. The last step to CNA certification in Nebraska is to be listed on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry, which is completed when the passing competency exam score is reported to the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry.

The Nebraska Department of Labor reports that CNAs and related occupations make a median annual salary of $22,900 and a median hourly wage of $10.99. The Nebraska Department of Labor Workforce Development projects 23% job growth for CNAs and related occupations through 2016. Based on this data, the career opportunities for a CNA are good and it appears to be an opportune time to start researching CNA training in Nebraska.

As was mentioned before, the CNA profession is often an entry to nursing position that leads to professional nursing positions with additional education, such as a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse. A related career with similar job growth projections and career opportunities is Medical assisting. You may want to research the Medical Assisting programs in Nebraska as well. Or, it may be worthwhile to start exploring the LPN programs in Nebraska now.
(Sources: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Labor)

State Approved CNA Training in Nebraska

*Verify state approval status of any program you contact prior to enrolling.

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