Nursing Assistant Training in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Health requires completion of an approved Nursing Assistant training program as well as passing of the state nursing assistant competency exam prior to applying for a Rhode Island Certificate of Registration for Nursing Assistants. A Certificate of Registration is a Nursing Assistant’s license to work as a Nursing Assistant in the state of Rhode Island. In addition to these requirements, applicants must also submit to a background check administered by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

CNA Training in Rhode Island

Nursing Assistant training programs in Rhode Island are required to be a minimum of 100 clock hours with a minimum of 20 of those hours spent in clinical/hands-on training. After 16 hours of classroom instruction has been completed, students are eligible to have interaction with patients and work on completing their clinical hours requirement. Classroom and skills instruction cover topics such as communication and interpersonal skills, safety and emergency procedures, infection control, respecting patients’ rights, promotion of patients’ independence, care of cognitively impaired patients, restorative care and basic nursing skills. These are the areas that Nursing Assistants are tested on in the competency exam and are also the skills that they will use daily once they begin working as a Nursing Assistant. The Department of Health requires that any program offered at a health care facility be completed within 90 days. The majority of programs in Rhode Island can be completed in less than 90 days. Generally, a CNA training will take 6 to 10 weeks to complete.

Upon successful completion of the Nursing Assistant training program, the coordinator of the program will schedule the graduate’s competency exam date. After successfully passing the competency exam, the Nursing Assistant will then apply for their license or Certification of Registration as a Nursing Assistant. Licensed Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island use the title N.A. not CNA. Many employers still refer to their employees as CNA and will use CNA in their job postings.

The work environment is demanding both physically and mentally, yet extremely rewarding for the right person. According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and training – Labor Market Information – Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual salary for a CNA in Rhode Island is $27,700 and the median hourly wage is $13.32. Both are well above the national medians for CNA and similar positions. The Department also projects job growth for Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island at 21%, which is outstanding and higher than the projections nationally. This data supports the idea that now is a good time to start an educational program in this or a related health care field.

The CNA position is often a stepping stone to Registered Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing or Health Care administration positions. Health Care Administration or Management Degrees are an excellent way to enter the business side of health care. The rapidly growing field of health care needs educated businessmen and women. Medical Assisting is another popular health care pathway and most online medical assistant programs can be completed in as little as 6 months. Learn more about the Medical Assistant Programs in Rhode Island.

Below is a list of agencies in Rhode Island that have an active license and are approved by the Department of Health to offer CNA training. Verify their status when contacting these agencies. The Rhode Island Department of Health website also offers an updated list of agencies with active and non-active licenses.

Nursing Assistant Programs in Rhode Island

(Sources: Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Department of Labor and training – Labor Market Information – Occupational Employment Statistics)

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