(found 47 schools, updated in March 2018)
Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs) in Vermont are synonymous with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in many other states. As a LNA, employees will function as a nurse aide and will perform basic duties in that capacity. Responsibilities might include helping patients with dressing, bathing, or feeding. Licensed Nursing Assistants may also be required to take a patient’s vital signs or take samples. All LNAs in Vermont will work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
- 3 Steps to Becoming a LNA in Vermont
- How to Keep LNA Certification Active
- Salary and Job Outlook for LNAs in Vermont
- Becoming a CNA in Bordering States
3 Steps to Becoming a LNA in Vermont
There are essentially three ways to acquire LNA certification in Vermont. The first is to be endorsed in Vermont with an out of state certification; this will be discussed at length later. The second is to use education through a nursing program to meet prerequisites for LNA testing. The third is to attend a Board of Nursing approved LNA program in Vermont to meet the prerequisites for testing.
Education as a Licensed Nursing Assistant is the most important step in obtaining certification; however, it is important to understand the cost of pursuing LNA education before deciding on a path through a university or state-approved program. Assessing the cost, then, is the first step in certification.
Financial Aid and LNA Certification Costs
Costs will vary depending upon where a student chooses to complete his or her LNA certification in Vermont. Some facilities will include the cost of materials, such as textbooks, scrubs and clinical requirements. Other LNA programs will insist that each student purchase his or her own materials. Tuition costs for an Licensed Nursing Assistant program through a technical school such as the Central Vermont Career Center or the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center will have tuition fees of around $1,200; however, these courses often charge more for testing and material fees.
Prospective Licensed Nursing Assistants should be cautioned that most LNA programs do not qualify for financial aid. However, in Vermont it is possible to utilize the education associated with a nursing degree to qualify for LNA examinations. For example, if a student chooses to pursue an education in Nursing at the University of Vermont, it is possible to qualify for financial aid or make use of grants and scholarships.
Reimbursement
It is possible to be reimbursed for LNA training if a person is hired at a Medicaid-funded nursing home. He or she is then entitled, per the OBRA ‘87 Act, to State reimbursement of exam fees and training fees within a year of employment. By doing so, LNA certification would be free of expense.
Once the costs of LNA classes in Vermont are taken into account, the next step is to choose the correct program.
Step 1: Completing LNA Training
LNA training programs in Vermont are required by law to meet certain standards. At minimum, LNA training is 80 hours of instruction; 30 of these hours are mandatory clinic hours. It is common practice for training programs to go over the minimum number of required hours. Programs are usually held during the week, over the course of several weeks. It is important to have hands-on training in order to qualify for certification in the State; therefore, attendance and clinic hours are mandatory.
Just to reiterate, training programs can be bypassed by transcripts proving an LNA certification applicant has completed fundamentals of nursing in their course of studies pertaining to a degree as a Registered Nurse.
If an applicant is not pursuing education as a registered nurse, the only option is to enroll in and successfully complete a LNA training program approved by the Vermont Board of Nursing.
Local LNA Classes in Vermont
The following table displays state-approved Licensed Nursing Assistant programs in Vermont. The school data is updated in March 2018.
| City | County | Program Provider | Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord, NH | Windham | American Red Cross www.redcross.org | (603) 225-6697 | flora.meyer@redcross.org |
| Barre | Washington | Berlin Health & Rehab Center www.genesishcc.com | (802) 229-0308 | danielle.adamowich@genesishcc.com |
| Barre | Washington | Central Vermont Career Center www.cvtcc.org | (802) 476-6237 | mebean5@yahoo.com |
| Barre | Washington | Tender Loving Homecare www.tenderlovinghomecareinc.com | (802) 622-1112 | Butterfly.nurse@tds.net |
| Barton | Orleans | Maple Lane and Retirement Homes | (802) 754-8575 | maplelane02@gmail.com |
| Bennington | Bennington | Southwest Vermont Career Development Center www.svcdc.org | (802) 447-3596 | Patriciabossong63@icloud.com |
| Bennington | Bennington | Southwestern Vermont Healthcare svhealthcare.org | (802) 447-5067 | Drew.totten@svhealthcare.org |
| Bennington | Bennington | Vermont Veteran’s Home vvh.vermont.gov | (802) 442-6353 | Patricia.babcock@vermont.gov |
| Bradford | Orange | River Bend Career & Tech Center (Adult) www.rbctc.org | (802) 222-5212 | bemerson@rbctc.org |
| Burlington | Chittenden | Birchwood Terrace www.birchwoodterrace.com | (802) 863-6384 | Elizabeth.Derouchie@kindred.com |
| Burlington | Chittenden | Burlington Health & Rehab www.genesishcc.com | (802) 658-4200 | Elizabeth.brown@genesishcc.org |
| Burlington | Chittenden | University of Vermont Medical Center website | (802) 847-2363 | Karen.fragnoli-munn@uvmhealth.org |
| Burlington | Chittenden | Vermont Med Ed – Cathedral Square | - | mhfarms@gmavt.net |
| Colchester | Chittenden | Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden & Grand Isle Counties www.vnacares.org | (802) 860-4471 | slagle@vnacares.org |
| Enosburg Falls | Franklin | Cold Hollow Career Center (Adult) www.chccvt.net | (802) 933-4003 | showrigan@chccvt.net |
| Enosburg Falls | Franklin | Cold Hollow Career Center (Day) www.chccvt.net | (802) 933-4003 | showrigan@chccvt.net |
| Essex Junction | Chittenden | Center for Technology www.go-cte.org/index.php | (802) 878-5559 | showrigan@chccvt.net |
| Hyde Park | Lamoille | Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (Adult) gmtcc.info | (802)371-7409 | manazoe@gmail.com |
| Hyde Park | Lamoille | Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (Day) gmtcc.info | (802) 851-1570 | bweatherbee@gmtcc.net |
| Ludlow | Windsor | Gill Odd Fellows Home website | (802) 228-6860 | oddmain@gofhvt.net |
| Lyndon Center | Caledonia | Lyndon Institute Technical Education (Adult) www.lyndoninstitute.org | (802) 626-6152 | twila.perry@lyndoninstitute.org |
| Lyndon Center | Caledonia | Lyndon Institute Technical Education (Day) www.lyndoninstitute.org | (802) 626-6152 | audra.sicard@lyndoninstitute.org |
| Lyndonville | Caledonia | Pines Rehabilitation & Health Center | (802) 626-3361 | dianapines@yahoo.com |
| Middlebury | Addison | Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center (Adult) website | (802) 382-1042 | jjacobs@pahcc.org |
| Middlebury | Addison | Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center (Day) www.hannafordcareercenter.org | (802) 382-1042 | bthompsonsnow@pahcc.org |
| Middlebury | Addison | Vermont Med Ed - Helen Porter | - | mhfarms@gmavt.net |
| Morrisville | Lamoille | The Manor, Inc. www.themanorvt.org | (802) 828-8761 | clambert@themanorvt.org |
| Newport | Orleans | North Country Career Center (Adults) nc3.ncsuvt.org | (802) 334-5469 | Gwen.Bailey-Rowe@ncsuvt.org |
| Newport | Orleans | North Country Career Center (Day) nc3.ncsuvt.org | (802) 334-5469 | celine.champine@ncsuvt.org |
| Randolph | Orange | Randolph Technical Career Center (Adult) website | (802) 728-9595 | jjolls@randolphtech.org |
| Randolph | Orange | Randolph Technical Career Center (Day) website | (802) 728-9595 | mcarpenter@orangesouthwest.org |
| Rutland | Rutland | Genesis Eldercare/Mountain View Center www.genesishcc.com | (802) 775-0007 | andrew.minichiello@genesishcc.com |
| Rutland | Rutland | Rutland Health and Rehab Center www.genesishcc.com | (802) 775-2941 | Racheal.dupuis@genesishcc.com |
| Rutland | Rutland | Stafford Technical Center (Adult) staffordonline.org | (802) 770-1033 | william.lucci@rcpsvt.org |
| Rutland | Rutland | Stafford Technical Center (Day) staffordonline.org | (802) 770-1044 | nhadeka@live.com |
| Shelburne | Chittenden | Vermont Med Ed - Wake Robin | - | mhfarms@gmavt.net |
| Shelburne | Chittenden | Vermont Med Ed- The Residence at Shelburne Bay | - | mhfarms@gmavt.net |
| South Burlington | Chittenden | TLC Nursing www.tlcnursing.com | (802) 318-4916 | wendy@tlcnursing.com |
| Springfield | Windsor | River Valley Technical Center (Day) www.rvtc.org | (802) 885-8300 | wreeves@rvtc.org |
| Springfield | Windsor | River Valley Technical Ctenter (Adult) www.rvtc.org | (802) 885-8300 | wreeves@rvtc.org |
| Springfield | Windsor | Springfield Health and Rehab Center www.genesishcc.com | (802) 885-5741 | Karen.alcorn@genesishcc.org |
| St. Albans | Franklin | Franklin County Rehab www.franklincountyrehab.com | (802) 752-1600 | hshortvt@comcast.net |
| St. Albans | Franklin | Northwest Technical Center (Adult) nwtc.fcsuvt.org | (802) 527-6405 | showrigan@chccvt.net |
| St. Albans | Franklin | Northwest Technical Center (Day) nwtc.fcsuvt.org | (802) 527-6517 | jfaas@fcsuvt.org |
| St. Albans | Franklin | St. Albans Health & Rehab www.genesishcc.com | (802) 524-6534 | Kari.orost@genesishcc.com |
| White River Junction | Windsor | Hartford Area Career & Technology Center (Adult) www.hactc.com | (802) 295-8630 | reibelc@hartfortschools.net |
| Winooski | Chittenden | Our Lady of Providence www.ourladyofprovidence.org | (802) 655-3768 | ebelkvt@comcast.net |
Step 2: Passing LNA Testing and Exams
Once a prospective Licensed Nursing Assistant has completed a state-approved training program, it is necessary to register for and obtain a passing score on both parts of the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP).
The first exam is knowledge-based; the second is a practical skills test in which a student will have to perform five nursing tasks.
LNA licensure applicants will have three attempts to pass both exams, unless the applicant is a working nursing aide in possession of a temporary license. In this case, he or she will have to pass the LNA exams on the first attempt.
Testing cost is $130 on the first attempt. To reattempt the written portion, the knowledge portion, the cost is $35. If an applicant wishes to reattempt the skills portion, the cost will be $95.
Both tests are administered through Pearson VUE with multiple testing sites statewide. Registration for exams should be done through the Pearson VUE website. Practice examinations and testing guidelines can also be found here.
Step 3: Applying for LNA Certification
There are two ways to apply for licensure: through examination or through endorsement.
Through Examination
If the applicant does not currently have LNA certification in another state, he or she will be applying for certification by examination.
Applications are completed online and require a $20 processing fee. Along with the complete online application, prospective Licensed Nursing Assistants should include a 2×2 headshot, copy of a current driver’s license or passport, and a sealed Vermont Nursing Student Verification form provided by the school which was attended for training.
Once the application and necessary documents have been submitted, the status of the application can be tracked through the Vermont Secretary of State website where license holders can also obtain verification of licensure.
Through Endorsement
If a person is already CNA certified in another state, he or she may qualify for endorsement by the state of Vermont. The requirements for this are listed below.
- The applicant for endorsement must be in good standing in the jurisdiction of their certification.
- LNA certification must be verified by the state in which applicant certification was obtained.
- He or she must have proof of 400 work hours as a Licensed Nursing Aide. This is equivalent to 50 days in a professional setting. These hours must have been worked no more than two years prior to submitting an endorsement application.
- If endorsement applicant cannot provide proof of 400 working hours with their current license, he or she can potentially qualify for LNA examination if the applicant has completed an 80-hour training program outside of the state of Vermont. The training program must have also included 30-hours of clinical practice. The training program must have been completed nor more than two years prior to the endorsement application.
If the out of state LNA meets these requirements, he or she may be endorsed by the state of Vermont’s Board of Nursing. This is achieved by sending all the necessary paperwork (copy of driver’s license, verification of licensure form, and 2×2 headshot) to the Board of Nursing in Vermont and completing an online application, for which there is a $20 processing fee.
Consider MNA Endorsement
Once a nursing assistant has obtained licensure, it is only a few more steps to becoming a licensed Medication Nursing Assistant (MNA) in Vermont. In order to qualify for an MNA endorsement, the following prerequisite must be met:
- Must hold LNA certification
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a G.E.D or High School Diploma
- Must have at least 4,000 hours of experience working as an LNA. No less than half of these hours must be in a long-term care facility.
- Must complete an MNA training course approved by the Vermont Board of Nursing
- Must pass MNA examination
- Must complete and submit an MNA endorsement application.
How to Keep LNA Certification Active
In Vermont, it is required that all LNA certified employees renew licenses every two years. In order to qualify for renewal, LNAs must have worked a cumulative 400 hours over two years under the same license. If the Licensed Nursing Assistant has not worked 400 hours in the two years prior to renewal, he or she will have to retake the NNAAP examinations.
Renewal of licensure requires completion and submission of the LNA renewal application available through the Vermont Secretary of State website.
Salary and Job Outlook for LNAs in Vermont
Becoming a LNA in Vermont is an investment in the future, with potential to become endorsed as a Licensed Medication Nursing Assistant. Medical employment is a continuously growing field with new opportunities all the time to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, adult care centers, and private homes. | See Job Openings
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a national 17% growth in LNA positions from the years 2014 to 2024, which is a fully 10% higher growth rate than the average job market.
LNA Salary
The average salary for a Licensed Nursing Assistant in Vermont as of May 2016 was $28,620. This comes out to an hourly wage of $13.76. This hourly pay rate is $0.47 more than the national average of $13.29. | See Job Openings
| VT LNA Salaries | Empl. | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | Wage percent relative std. error | Hourly 10th % wage | Hourly median wage | Hourly 90th % wage | Annual 10th % wage | Annual median wage | Annual 90th % wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 1443150 | 13.29 | 27650 | 0.2 | 9.64 | 12.78 | 18.22 | 20040 | 26590 | 37900 |
| Vermont | 3290 | 13.76 | 28620 | 1.5 | 10.42 | 13.54 | 17.77 | 21680 | 28150 | 36970 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 1300 | 14.21 | 29560 | 2.5 | 10.87 | 13.94 | 18.16 | 22620 | 28990 | 37770 |
| Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | 630 | 13.20 | 27470 | 2.1 | 10.05 | 12.80 | 16.92 | 20900 | 26630 | 35200 |
| Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | 1350 | 13.57 | 28220 | 2.8 | 10.35 | 13.42 | 17.53 | 21530 | 27910 | 36470 |
Burlington Health and Rehab and the VNA are no longer providing LNA training classes.