How to Become a Certified Nurse Aide in North Dakota

(found 51 schools, updated in May 2017)

Certified Nursing Aides or CNAs in North Dakota work in various settings including nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and group homes. The state of North Dakota recognizes a difference between CNAs and Nurse Aides (NAs), which are also known as nursing assistants in some regions. NAs are not held to the same training and assessment levels.

• 6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in North Dakota
• How to Keep CNA Status Active
• Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in North Dakota
• List of Bordering States

6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in North Dakota

Becoming a CNA in North Dakota requires certain conditions are met prior to working in the health care field. CNAs are under the jurisdiction of Department of Health; however, the training and oversight have been transferred to the Board of Nursing since 2011. The categories of CNAs are the standard nurse aid that is not certified and the certified nurse aide. Either can become a home health aide or a medication assistant I. Check out the details below for the differences and requirements for all positions.

Nurse Aide

An NA does not require a completed training program, but must undergo a Department of Health approved course to be able to administer medication as a Medication Assistant I. If an NA takes a competency assessment they can become a CNA and may work as a Home Health Aide.

Certified Nursing Aides

CNAs in North Dakota must take part in a department-approved training program that is at least 75 hours, which is the federal guideline minimum. The Department of Health has a listing of over 50 CNA programs available in the state of North Dakota in 2017.

Medication Assistant I/II

An NA or CNA may become a Medication Assistant by completing a North Dakota Department of Health approved training course, also called CNA classes. Only CNAs can become a Medication Assistant II.

Understanding the steps required to become a CNA is integral in obtaining a certification and a new career. The following steps are required to become a Certified Nursing Aide in the state of North Dakota.

Step 1: Determine Which CNA Program Fits

Determining the best Certified Nurse Aide program can be difficult. Every program has its bonuses and weaknesses. There are many factors to consider, but the biggest factor is that the program is state-approved. Location and times may also be important in selecting a CNA program. Some programs are more in-depth than others and may focus on more aspects of CNA policies than others.

• There are over 50 state-approved CNA training programs available in the state of North Dakota as of 2017.
• Depending on the end-career choice, there may be a program that is geared towards the final career choice that is desired.
• Find the location and times that will be most convenient.

Find Local CNA Classes in North Dakota

The following table lists all the state-approved CNA programs in the state. The school data is updated in May 2017.

Step 2: Determine the Costs of the CNA Program

There are some programs run by the state that are free of charge and others that run around $650, plus the cost of books, uniform, and state certification and even others that are $1800. The free programs are reserved for those most in need of financial assistance. Take the time to put in an application for assistance and see what is available.

Some health care facilities are willing to train you while on the job and allow working through the CNA program at their facility and some may even pay for the training and certification.

Step 3: Research the Prerequisites for the CNA program

• Must be 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Clean criminal background
• State identification and social security card
• Physical exam with current vaccinations
• Negative TB skin test 6 months prior to entering the program

Step 4: Successfully Complete a Training Program

Certified Nurse Aide training programs in North Dakota require at least 75 hours of training. This is the federal minimum, but many programs include even more hours of training for a CNA license. The topics covered include:

• Patient Rights
• Bathing and Grooming
• Feeding and Nutrition
• Vital Sign Measurements
• Infection Control
• Medical Record Documentation
• Bedside Manner
• Transferring Patients

Step 5: Successfully Pass the North Dakota State Exam

The certification exam for Certified Nurse Aides in North Dakota is the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). It consists of two sections, the Skills Assessment and the Written Assessment.

Skills Assessment

The Skills Assessment requires a skills portion that contains 5 random tasks that must be completed in 30 minutes and a score of 80% must be obtained. The skills are randomly taken from a list of specific skills and a score of 80% must be achieved during each skill assessment and no critical steps can be missed.

Written Assessment

The Written Assessment is a multiple choice test. The test must be completed in 90 minutes and is 72 questions. A score of a 75% is required to pass the written portion of this test. There is also another test option with an audio test if you have trouble reading English, but it must be requested in advance and will cost an additional fee.

Test Costs

The test must be registered through the Board of Nursing and costs will run around $120 in 2017. Don’t try and use a credit card, only cash, money order, or checks are accepted. Most employers will incur these costs for their CNAs within a 12-month period of hire.

Test Sites

There are only certain cities that administer the tests: Bismarck, Fargo, Dickinson, Jamestown, Grafton, Minot, Devils Lake, Mayville, and Grand Forks. The Board of Nursing can be contacted for testing dates.

Routes to NNAAP Exam

The exam may be taken after a certified CNA course in North Dakota. Some instances of NAs taking NNAAP exam can be accepted if their skills are vouched for by a RN at a previous work facility.

Step 6: Get Certified by the state of North Dakota

Once the NNAAP is passed, the Board of Nursing in North Dakota is contacted and the newly licensed CNA is added to the Nurse Aide Registry of licensed CNAs for the state. The Board does not mail cards out showing certification, as of 2012, but you can log onto the ndhealth.gov website and print off a card if needed.

When to Renew

This CNA licensing is good for two years with the state of North Dakota. The registry will mail a letter 60 days prior to expiration with instructions on how to renew. Do not let renewal time lapse or licenses can be revoked and certification may need to be performed again.

CNAs From Other States

Out-of-state CNAs that have already taken an exam are usually endorsed and transferred to North Dakota, barring any criminal or disciplinary decisions from their prior state. As long as they are in good standing there is no need to take the National CNA exam again. They are eligible for CNA status, but will need to meet requirements for renewal for the state of North Dakota when their certification is expired, which is 2 years after endorsement.

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How to Keep CNA Status Active

Certified Nurse Aides in North Dakota keep their licensure active for 2 years after their test date. To obtain a renewal, proof of employment as a CNA in North Dakota must be submitted. Renewals are free, which is awesome. If you did not perform at least 8 hours of work for compensation during the 2-year time period, a new evaluation program can be performed to maintain certification. The registry will mail out a renewal card 60 days before expiration. The card has instructions for how to renew a CNA certification, so please make sure to have a current address on file with the CNA registry.

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Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in North Dakota

Certified Nurse Aides in North Dakota make higher than average salaries compared to the rest of the United States. CNA annual wage is on average $31,600 in North Dakota, according to the U.S. Bureau and Labor Statistics from May 2016. This is significantly higher pay for CNA jobs than the average for Nursing Assistants in the United States at $27,650. There are over 13,700 people registered to work as CNAs in the state of North Dakota, according to the North Dakota Department of Health. | See Job Openings

CNA Salaries in North Dakota

The current job outlook is 11% lower than average with fewer job postings than the national average. The amount of CNA jobs in North Dakota are not booming, but they do have many more employed CNAs than the national average. CNAs have a rewarding career by working as an assistant to nurses. By choosing this job, a career with endless possibilities can blossom into a medication assistant or even an LPN or RN with more required training. | See Job Openings

List of Bordering States

• Minnesota
• Montana
• South Dakota