(found 10 schools, updated in March 2017)
Certified nursing assistants, also known as CNAs or Certified nurse aides, are trained healthcare professionals who provide nursing or nursing related services to patients or clients while working under the supervision of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs). Individuals in the Washington, D.C. area who are interested in this career have ten approved DC certified nursing assistant programs from which to choose in 2018.
3 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Washington, D.C.
To work as a certified nursing assistant in Washington, D.C., an individual must successfully complete approved DC nurse aide training, and pass the National Nursing Assistant Assessment Program (NNAAP). Because the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health (DCDOH) regulates this occupation, there are certain steps that must be followed to becoming a CNA in Washington, D.C. By completing the following steps, candidates may be able to work as certified nursing assistants.
Step 1: Find and Choose An Approved DC CNA Program
Nursing assistant training programs in Washington, D.C. are held at public schools, training institutes, hospitals, community colleges and nursing homes. It’s important to take approved CNA programs because the curriculum meets the requirements set by the DC government, which allows them to also satisfy the requirements needed to make students eligible to take the CNA certification exam. As of 2018, there are 10 approved CNA programs in Washington, D.C., according to District of Columbia Department of Health. The school data is updated in March 2017.
Local Approved CNA Classes in Washington, D.C.
| CNA Program Provider | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health & Technology Institute www.alliedhealthtech.com | 2010 Rhode Island Avenue, NE 2nd Floor | alliedhealthdc@yahoo.com (202) 526-3535 |
| Bethel Training Institute Inc. | 824 Upshur Street NW | (202) 723-0755 |
| CAPTEC Med Care | 3925 Georgia Avenue NW | captecprofessional@gmail.com (202) 291-7744 |
| Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School www.carlosrosario.org | 514 V Street NE | landerson@carlosrosario.org (202) 734-4900 |
| HealthWrite Training Center www.healthwrite.org | 2303 14th Street NW | (202) 349-3934 |
| Innovative Institute www.thcii.com | 1805 Montana Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 747-3450 |
| Nursing Assistant Academy www.nassistantacademy.com | 1418 Pennsylvania Avenue SE | (202) 748-5479 |
| University of the District of Columbia-Community College (Bertie Backus Campus) www.cc.udc.edu | 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE | (202) 274-6950 |
| University of the District of Columbia-Community College (United Medical Center Campus) www.cc.udc.edu | 1310 Southern Avenue SE | (202) 574-6854 |
| VMT Education Center www.vmtltc.com | 901 1st Street NW | cdallas@vmtltc.com (202) 282-3143 |
Step 2: Apply and Complete CNA Training
After selecting the right CNA training program in Washington, D.C., he or she must apply to the program, pay any applicable fees and satisfy any prerequisites that may be required. The applicants may also be required to pass an entrance exam. The entrance exam is to ensure that nursing assistant students are competent in reading and math.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for CNA training in Washington, D.C. may vary by school but typically include the following:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Must have a government-issued ID
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must submit to fingerprint screening
- Must be fluent in speaking, writing and reading English
Training Length
The Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health requires that CNA programs be at least 120 clock hours. Of these hours, a student must spend 45 hours in the classroom, 30 hours in a laboratory, and 45 hours in nursing home practicums where he or she can obtain hands-on training under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or the director of nursing for the nursing home. The nurse aide training not only teaches nursing assistant students what it takes to work as CNAs but also prepares them to take and pass the CNA certification exam – NNAAP.
Nursing assistant programs in Washington, D.C. generally take about 4 to 6 weeks to complete. However, some training programs may need 10 months for students to complete. Students also have the options of day classes and evening classes.
Costs
The cost for the CNA training varies from school to school but usually range from $400 to $1200. Students may apply and receive financial aid in the form of grants or scholarships. Because the costs for CNA classes in Washington are low, some students may not use financial aid.
Free CNA Classes
The CNA classes in Washington, D.C. may be free in some situations. For example, individuals who are working as Certified Nurse Adies in nursing facilities certified for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement can get their CNA training free. This also includes fees for testing or training materials that may be required.
Reimbursement
CNAs who have completed nurse aide training in the last 12 months and are working for federally certified nursing facilities receiving Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement may receive reimbursement for any costs they may have incurred for the CNA training and training materials. According to both Federal and District law, nursing homes in the District of Columbia are required to pay the cost for their nursing assistants to take CNA exams.
What to Learn
CNA classes in Washington, D.C. cover a variety of topics aimed at providing care for the sick and elderly while helping patients and clients feel confident and safe. In addition to learning things like first aid, CPR and rules of the healthcare facility, students learn the following:
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Bathing, feeding and dressing patients
- Infection control
- Legal and ethical responsibilities
- Observing and documenting a patient’s condition
- Observing and documenting changes in the patient
- Communicating with patient and other medical personnel
- Patient safety
Upon completing the classroom portion, students complete the clinical portion in an actual medical facility or nursing home working with patients or clients under supervision.
Step 3: Take Examination and Get Certified as a CNA in Washington, D.C.
Once nurse aide students have successfully completed the initial CNA training, they must pass the National Nursing Assistant Assessment Program (NNAAP) competency exam to obtain CNA certification in Washington, D.C. The CNA exam is a two-part test. The examination is offered through Pearson VUE. Students can apply to take the test on the Pearson VUE website.
The following candidates may also be eligible for the Certified Nurse Aide Exam:
- A RN or LPN student who has completed required nursing course and clinical training
- A foreign LPN or RN
- A certified nurse aide whose certification is expired within 24 months
Please contact Person VUE for more information before you apply for the examination.
Two-Part Examination
The first part of the test is a written or an oral multiple-choice test. If taken orally, the test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 questions aimed at determining the student’s ability to comprehend and speak English. The written exam, which consists of 70 questions. This part of the test must be completed in two hours. CNA students must typically pass the first test with a grade of at least 80 percent before they can advance to the second part.
The second part is a skills evaluation that requires students to prove competency in five skills areas. One of the five skills must be hand washing. Students have 25 minutes to complete the five procedures. The second part is completed in a clinical setting.
Once the exam candidate has passed both parts of the CNA exam, he or she has earned the credential of certified nursing assistant and is listed on the District of Columbia Nurse Aide Registry here. In the case where students may fail the exam, they can retake the exam up to three times in a 2-year period without having to take CNA training again.
Exam Fees
Any exam candidate must pay the following fees to take or retake the CNA exam in Washington, D.C.:
- Written Examination: $40
- Oral Examination: $50
- Skills Evaluation: $65
- First Time Test Fee: $12
How to Keep CNA Certification Active in Washington, D.C.
CNA certification in Washington, D.C is valid for two years. Within two months prior to the expiration date, CNAs receive notification that the certification will expire. CNAs must submit a form to Pearson VUE with proof that they’ve satisfied the work and continuing education requirements needed for recertification requirements.
Certification Renewal Requirements
To be eligible for recertification, CNAs must have completed at least eight hours of paid nursing related services and 24 hours of continuing education. The renewal fee is $12.
Expired Certification
If nursing assistants’ certification is expired less than 24 months, they should take the CNA examination and apply for certification. If the certification is expired more than 24 months, the NAs should complete approved DC CNA training programs before taking the certification exam in Washington, D.C.
CNAs From Other States
Active CNAs from other states with certification can obtain nursing assistant certification in Washington, D.C. through endorsement. They can be endorsed into the District of Columbia if they have completed and passed testing and passed testing through Educational Testing Services (ETS), the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP) or Pearson VUE. They must provide copies of their active certification or license, social security cards, and photo identifications. The application fee is $15.
Job Outlook and Salary for CNAs in Washington, D.C.
The BLS reports that certified nursing assistants should see an employment growth of 18 percent from 2014-2024. The cuts made to programs like Medicare and Medicaid are making more elderly patients live at home or in long-term home-based facilities. This puts nursing assistants more in demand than ever. Factors that can affect CNA jobs and potential earnings are years of experience, place of employment and geographical location. | See Job Openings
Where to Work as a CNA
To work as a certified nursing assistant in Washington, D.C., the CNA must pass a criminal background check and must be not listed on any certified nurse aide abuse registry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNAs work in various healthcare-related facilities including:
- Nursing care facilities
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly
- Home health care services
CNA Salaries in District of Columbia
According to the BLS May 2016 report, Certified Nursing Assistants in the District of Columbia earned annual average wages of $33,380, which equated to an average hourly wage of $16.05. About 2,970 CNAs were employed in the U.S. capital in 2016. The CNA salary in the District of Columbia is substantially higher than the national salary of $27,650. In fact, the BLS ranked the District of Columbia fourth in the nation among the top paying states for nursing assistants. | See Job Openings
The average annual wage for CNAs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria division was $30,300 in 2016 with the average hourly rate being $14.57. This area employed about 14,320 Certified Nurse Aides in 2016.
The average annual CNA wage in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area was $30,330 that same year, which equated to an average hourly rate of $14.58. Approximately 20,690 CNAs were employed in this area that year. This area ranked among the top 15 areas in the nation in highest level of employment for certified nursing assistants according to the BLS. | See Job Openings
| D.C. CNA 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 |
| District of Columbia | 2970 | 16.05 | 33380 | 1.9 | 11.70 | 15.87 | 20.92 | 24330 | 33020 | 43510 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 14320 | 14.57 | 30300 | 1.4 | 10.67 | 14.11 | 19.13 | 22200 | 29340 | 39790 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 20690 | 14.58 | 30330 | 1.2 | 10.54 | 14.08 | 19.20 | 21930 | 29290 | 39940 |
Advancement Opportunities
Working as CNAs not only allows them to help others feel better but also gives them the taste of what it’s like to work in the healthcare industry, which may give them the desire to pursue higher-paying jobs. Certified nursing assistants may choose to advance their education and become medical assistants with only a one-year program. Many LPNs and RNs have started their nursing careers working as CNAs. The experience gained while working as a CNA can be beneficial while studying in healthcare programs. | See Job Openings
Take Training in Nearby or Bordering States
Students who can’t or don’t wish to study in Washington, D.C. have a few different options in nearby or bordering states. Bordering states like Virginia and Maryland offer state-approved certified nursing programs. Delaware doesn’t border the District, but it’s not far away from the capital and offers several state-approved CNA training programs for aspiring CNAs in 2018.
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