(found 5 schools, updated in March 2018)
Albuquerque is New Mexico‘s largest city and the state’s healthcare hub. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work for a variety of employers that include nursing homes and rehabilitation centers; the Department of Defense with multiple locations in Albuquerque; several healthcare staffing agencies; hospitals that include Presbyterian Hospital, the University of New Mexico Hospital, the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center and the Lovelace Medical Center. Albuquerque medical facilities serve healthcare clients from all over the state, creating excellent employment opportunities for CNAs in 2018.
CNA Education in Albuquerque in 2018
Individuals should only consider state-approved CNA training programs in Albuquerque because they are the only ones that qualify students to take the New Mexico Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). There is currently one non-facility school offering CNA classes in Albuquerque, and that is Central New Mexico Community College. However, there are other CNA training programs available in several cities within driving distance of Albuquerque should the local program not be available for registration at the desired time. Another option is to obtain a list of state-approved Albuquerque nursing homes offering CNA training from the Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) coordinator at the New Mexico Department of Health.
The curriculum of a state-approved CNA training program in New Mexico has been reviewed by state personnel as to its completeness. Nurse Aide students are assured of learning the critical CNA skills needed to perform their duties once employed as a Certified Nurse Aide. Students must meet the program’s particular CNA prerequisites to qualify for enrollment.
How to Become a Certified Nurse Aide in Albuquerque
Passing the CNA test is required for a new nurse aide, and other people qualifying for various certification routes, to earn CNA certification in New Mexico and to get an individual’s name listed in the New Mexico NAR. To learn more about the CNA test and certification, please read here.
Free Training
Training in nursing homes in or near Albuquerque is one strategy for getting free training and is the best option for many people. Federal and state law requires nursing home employers to pay for CNA training costs in one of two set of circumstances. One is when students complete their training in the state-approved long-term training facility while employed. The second is when someone successfully meets a state’s CNA certification requirements and is employed by a Medicare/Medicaid funded nursing home within 12 months of completing training. The cost of training is reimbursed on a prorated basis.
Financial Aid
The nursing assistant courses at the community college are not eligible for traditional federal and state financial aid. However, students can apply for workforce training funds through the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions’ New Mexico Workforce Connection Center which has an office in Albuquerque. Students should always discuss funding options with CNA program staff. There may be scholarships or other types of financial aid available so students can complete free CNA courses in Albuquerque.
List of CNA Programs in Albuquerque, New Mexico
As of 2018, there are Certified Nurse Aide classes in Albuquerque and nearby cities including Farmington, Ranchos De Taos, Ruidoso and Santa Fe.
Central New Mexico Community College
School Website: www.cnm.edu
Address: 525 Buena Vista Drive SE
City: Albuquerque
Contact Name: Shanna Davis (NA Program Director)
Contact Phone: (505) 224-3000
Contact Email: sdavis67@cnm.edu or access online form
Program Details: Clinical Preparation (1 credit), Principles of Nursing Assistant (3 credits), Principles of Nursing Assistant Lab (2 credits), Nursing Assistant Clinical (1 credit)
Class Size: 24
Application Deadline: First apply online to CNMCC, then register for available classes
Program Length: Subject to class availability but can be completed in 8 weeks
Program Period: Semester
Daytime Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes (currently starts at 2 PM)
Weekend Program: No
Weekly Schedule: Full-time Monday to Friday
Clinical Training: Yes
Estimated Tuition Fees and Costs: Tuition – $2,009; Clinical Prep Fee – $39; Lab Fee – $193; Other costs including textbooks, etc.
State Approved CNA Program: Yes
Santa Fe Community College
School Website: www.sfcc.edu
Address: 6401 Richards Avenue
City: Santa Fe (65 miles away from Albuquerque)
Contact Name: Tami Crespin
Contact Phone: (505) 428-1323
Contact Email: tami.crespin@sfcc.edu
Application Deadline: First apply online to college, then register for available classes
Program Details: 5.5 credits
Estimated Tuition and Fees: Tuition – $321.75; Other costs including program costs, textbook, background check and immunizations
State Approved CNA Program: Yes
The University of New Mexico
School Website: taos.unm.edu/home
Address: 1157 County Road 110
City: Ranchos De Taos (129 miles away from Albuquerque)
Contact Name: Rose Vasquez
Contact Phone: (575) 737-6200
Contact Email: rose.vasquez@ecfh.org
Application Deadline: First apply online to college, then register for available classes
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College
School Website: www.ruidoso.enmu.edu
Address: 6401 Richards Avenue
City: Ruidoso (179 miles away from Albuquerque)
Contact Phone: (575) 257-2120
Application Deadline: First apply online to the community college, then register for available CNA classes
Program Details: 6 credit hours
Scholarships: Apply through the ENMU-Ruidoso Foundation Scholarship Foundation
Estimated Tuition Fees and Costs: Tuition and Institutional Fee – $320; Other costs including program costs, textbook, background check and immunizations
State Approved CNA Program: Yes
San Juan College
School Website: www.sanjuancollege.edu
Address: 4601 College Boulevard
City: Farmington (183 miles away from Albuquerque)
Contact Phone: 505-566-3224
Contact Email: Send email
Application Deadline: First apply, then register for available seats
Program Details: 6 credit hours with 45 class hours and 90 lab/clinic hours
Program Length: 8 weeks
Daytime Program: Yes
Weekly Schedule: 3 days per week, 4 hours per day
Clinical Training: Yes
Scholarships: Apply through the San Juan College Foundation
Estimated Tuition Fees and Costs: Tuition – $1,395; Lab Fee & Background Check – $75, Textbooks – $80; Uniforms/Immunizations/TB Test – $160
CNA Certification and Renewal in Albuquerque
New Mexico contracted with Prometric to administer the CNA competency exam and to manage certification renewals. There are currently two Albuquerque Prometric test centers located at Central NM Community College and Universal Care Home Help Agency. Once a student passes the test, he or she receives a Nurse Aide Certificate and their name is added to the New Mexico CNA Registry. The Registry is maintained by the New Mexico Department of Health which is headquartered in Santa Fe.
Certification is active for 24 months and must be renewed before the expiration date. Prometric will send the appropriate form to the CNA before the expiration date. Return the form to the Prometric address provided. Once the CNA certification renewal is reviewed and approved, Prometric will notify the Nurse Aide Registry.
Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Albuquerque
Albuquerque is in Bernalillo County in the central workforce region, also known as the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area. The annual median salary for Certified Nurse Aides in New Mexico is $26,520 or $12.75 per hour. The median salary for CNAs in Albuquerque is $28,710 per year or $13.80 per hour. CNA jobs in Albuquerque are projected to grow by 12 percent for the period 2014-2024, making it a high growth area for the nursing assistant occupation. | See Job Openings
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