CNA Training in Iowa

Becoming a CNA in the state of Iowa is a process that is quick and can help individuals break into the healthcare industry. Certified CNAs will not only find that there are many opportunities for work with the growing and aging population in Iowa, but will also find that there are opportunities to advance in the medical profession. In Iowa the requirements to become a CNA are less strict than in many other states, and sometimes employers at healthcare facilities in Iowa will pay the cost that employees spend on CNA training programs and the certification exam. These reasons, along with the many training programs offered, make becoming a CNA in Iowa an excellent career move.

State-approved CNA Programs in Iowa are required to be made up of at least 75 hours of training. Thirty of the training hours must be spent learning at a clinical setting, and the rest of the training is classroom based learning. The clinical training is required to be supervised by a registered, licensed nurse. After individuals complete a training program in Iowa, they are then required to take the state competency exam. The exam consists of both a written portion and a skills portion. The written part is made up of multiple choice questions which cover general medical knowledge and basic reading comprehension. The skills part of the test requires students to perform randomly selected CNA skills for an examiner.

After passing the state examination, and completing a criminal background check with fingerprinting, individuals will be place on the Iowa Nurse Aid Registry. Being on the registry indicates that an individual has met all of the state and federal requirements to work as a registered CNA. Individuals who are listed on the registry are qualified to work at any long-term healthcare facility in the state of Iowa.

Some of the state-approved CNA training certification programs that are offered throughout Iowa are listed below:

Iowa Lakes Community College offers a CNA certification training program that can be taken for college credit or can be taken as a non-credit course. The program is made up of 75 hours. It meets guidelines not only for CNA certification, but also to enroll in the school’s nursing program if an individual chooses. Those who take the class for credit are awarded three credit hours upon completion.

Ellsworth Community College offers a CNA training course through their Continuing Education program. The training is 75 hours in total, 30 of which are spent in the classroom, 15 of which are spent in the lab, and the 30 of which are spent in clinical training. The clinical portion takes place in an intermediate care setting. The course focuses on preparing students for the state competency exam.

Hawkeye Community College offers CNA training courses throughout the year. The course is made up of three credit hours, which are divided by time in the classroom, the lab, and in clinical settings. The course has an emphasis on students gaining a basic level of knowledge, as well as demonstrating skills that will be both safe and effective in patient care settings.

North Iowa Area Community Colleges offers a nurse aide training program which prepares students for the state CNA exam. The program contains a 45 hour nurse aide theory class as well as a 30 hour clinical. The program is worth 3 credit hours total. Students must be at least 16 years old to enroll in the course.