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How to Become a Certified Nurse Aide in Wisconsin

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(found 68 schools, updated in July 2017)

The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Wisconsin provides a variety of critical healthcare services to the people under her or his care. Working under the supervision of an Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), clients include medical facility patients, residents in various healthcare facilities and people with disabilities. It is a highly rewarding professional career offering steady employment and the satisfaction of knowing the services performed improve the quality of life for people with special medical or other healthcare needs.

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  • 7 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Wisconsin
  • How to Keep CNA Certification Active
  • Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Wisconsin
  • Get CNA Certification in Bordering States

7 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Wisconsin

The Certified Nurse Aide position is referred to by a number of titles that include Certified Nursing Assistant and Nursing Aides. The Wisconsin Department of Health (DHS) – Division of Quality Assurances approves CNA training programs as meeting state legal and quality requirements. DHS has authorized Pearson VUE to manage Wisconsin’s Nurse Aide Registry. Only people listed in the Registry are allowed to call themselves “certified,” and certification is required to work in licensed healthcare facilities.

New CNAs complete a state-authorized training program and pass a two-part competency evaluation examination. However, there are several pathways to get a name placed in the Wisconsin based on past training or experience. Following are the steps to take to meet CNA certification requirements.

Step 1: Review the Eligibility Pathways to Certification

To select the best pathway to CNA certification in Wisconsin, first review the various eligibility routes. Select the one that fits individual qualifications.

New CNA

A new CNA first completes a Wisconsin state-approved training program. After completing training, the applicant is allowed to take the CNA certification NNAAP Examination. NNAAP is the acronym for National Nurse Aide Assessment Program.

Graduate Nurse or Student Nurse

Wisconsin recognizes the training that nursing students complete includes learning CNA skills. A person who has graduated from a state-authorized nursing program but has not taken the nursing licensure exam for Registered Nurses or Practical Nurses must submit proof of training to DHS and request to take the NNAAP exam. The student nurse must provide verification of appropriate training and take the competency exam.

If the graduate nurse attempted and failed the exam for Registered Nurses or Practical Nurses, the applicant must take the NNAAP exam. A Graduate Nurse who has a current nursing license also must take and pass the CNA exam in Wisconsin.

Nurse Educated in a Foreign Country

An applicant who completed a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse program in a foreign country can submit proof of RN or LPN status to the Wisconsin Board of Nursing (WBON). The WBON then provides a letter verifying the applicant is eligible to sit for the RN or LPN exam. The letter makes the applicant eligible to take the CNA exam.

Out of State CNAs

Certified Nurse Aides from other states have several routes to choose from in order to get placed on the Wisconsin CNA Registry. Unless indicated otherwise, training means the applicant has completed 120 hours of CNA training which includes 32 hours of clinical training.

  1. If an out of state Certified Nursing Assistant, the applicant can submit proof of completed training and verification of passing a nurse aide competency exam that is similar to the Wisconsin NNAAP exam to be placed directly in the Registry.
  2. If an out of state CNA applicant completed training but has not passed a CNA competency exam that is equivalent to the Wisconsin NNAAP exam, it is necessary to take and pass the Wisconsin NNAAP exam.
  3. If an out of state CNA applicant completed training but has not taken a competency exam, it is necessary to take and pass the Wisconsin NNAAP exam.
  4. An out of state Certified Nurse Aide who completed a training program that was less than 120 hours, worked as a paid CNA for at least 2088 hours in the prior two years (24 months) and passed a CNA competency exam similar to the Wisconsin NNAAP exam may be placed directly in the Registry. Employers must verify the hours worked.
  5. An out of state CNA who completed a training program that was less than 120 hours and worked as a paid CNA for at least 2088 hours in the prior two years (24 months), but has not passed a CNA exam, must take and pass the Wisconsin competency exam.
  6. An out of state CNA who completed a CNA training program that was less than 120 hours, but has not worked as a paid CNA for at least 2088 hours in the prior two years (24 months), must complete a Wisconsin state-approved training program and pass the CNA competency exam.

Lapsed Nurse Aide

A CNA who was once on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry, but has allowed certification to lapse by not meeting employment requirements to work a minimum number of hours in a federally funded healthcare facility (see the section “How to Keep CNA Certification Active” for more details), will need to retake the competency exam.

Home Health Nurse Aide

The Home Health Nurse Aide is listed in the Nurse Aide Registry but does not have certification that permits working in a federally certified home health setting.

Military Personnel

Military personnel can request consideration of their healthcare related military training as equivalent to the required CNA training. There are strict requirements concerning the types of courses and clinical hours that veterans must have completed. If the request is approved by DHS, the veteran does not have to complete a nurse aide training course but will have to take and pass both parts of the NNAAP exam on the first attempt. If the request is denied, the applicant will have to retrain and retest.

Step 2: Choose a State-Approved Training Program

Anyone who must complete a Wisconsin state-approved CNA training program will need to find the program that best fits their needs. There are many CNA program in Wisconsin located throughout the state and are found at technical colleges, education centers, and community colleges.

There are also many nursing homes, long term care facilities and mental health institutes offering training programs. Federal regulations allow people to work for up to 4 months (120 days) in a skilled nursing facility before achieving Registry listing, if able to meet certain conditions. Conditions include being a full-time employee and working under the direct supervision of the supervisory RN or LPN.

State Approved CNA Classes in Wisconsin by City

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CityTraining ProviderAddressContact Name
MilwaukeeAmber House, Inc.7414 West Hampton AvenueCarmen Martin
SummitAurora Medical Center
www.aurorahealthcare.org
36500 Aurora Drive Tracey Maszka
GraftonAurora Medical Center
www.aurorahealthcare.org
975 Port Washington RoadPatricia Stockhausen
OshkoshAurora Medical Center
www.aurorahealthcare.org
855 North Westhaven DrivePriscilla Navis-Buteyn
MilwaukeeAurora Nursing Assistant Education Center3033 South 27th Street, Suite 105Bette Schubert
JanesvilleBlackhawk Technical College
www.blackhawk.edu
PO Box 5009Sarah Hubert
West BendCedar Community
www.cedarcommunity.org
5595 County Road ZDenise Wetzel
MadisonCenter for Healthcare Education
www.cheswi.org
3001 West Beltline Highway, Suite 305Elizabeth Mullikin
MadisonCentral Wisconsin Center
www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/cwc
317 Knutson DrivePatricia Banks
Eau ClaireChippewa Valley Technical College
www.cvtc.edu
620 West Clairemont AvenueKathy Zuznar
OshkoshClarity Home Health
www.claritycare.org
424 Washington AvenueKristin Bock
JuneauClearview
website
198 County Road D FErin Blank
BoycevilleCNA Professional Services, Inc.
www.cnapros.com
E1602 1198th AvenueDonna Nichols
KeshenaCollege of the Menominee Nation
www.menominee.edu
N172 Highway 47/55Terri Harmala
Eau ClaireDove Healthcare West
website
1405 Truax BoulevardKendall Rosemeyer
SheboyganFortis Management ‐ Sheboygan Progressive
website
1920 Mead AvenueBrenda Briscoe
AppletonFox Valley Technical College
www.fvtc.edu
1825 North Bluemound DriveBarb Tuchscherer
ElkhornGateway Technical College
website
400 County Road HKrstine Mueller
KenoshaGateway Technical College
www.gtc.edu
3520 30th AvenueJulie Capelli
RacineGateway Technical College
www.gtc.edu
1001 South Main StreetPat Onko
Eau ClaireGrace Lutheran Foundation
www.graceluthfound.com
816 Porter AvenueKaren Goldbeck
MilwaukeeJ. Johnson Educational Center LtdPO Box 18132Joan Johnson
ClevelandLakeshore Technical College
gotoltc.edu
1290 North AvenueHolly Euclide
MadisonMadison Area Technical College
madisoncollege.edu
1701 Wright StreetKathy Hansen
Fort AtkinsonMadison Area Technical College
madisoncollege.edu
827 Banker RoadKathy Hansen
PortageMadison Area Technical College
madisoncollege.edu
330 West Collins StreetKathy Hansen
ReedsburgMadison Area Technical College
madisoncollege.edu
300 Alexander AvenueKathy Hansen
WatertownMadison Area Technical College
madisoncollege.edu
1300 West Main StreetKathy Hansen
Sauk CityMaplewood of Sauk Prairie
website
245 Sycamore StreetJoni Blau
NiagaraMaryhill Manor Inc.
maryhillmanor.org
501 Madison AvenuePatricia Sparapani
MadisonMendota Mental Health Institute
website
301 Troy DriveMartha Crawford
Wisconsin RapidsMid-State Technical College
www.mstc.edu
500 32nd Street NorthGreory Leonard
MilwaukeeMilwaukee Area Technical College
www.matc.edu
700 West State StreetJosie Veal
MilwaukeeMilwaukee Center for Independence
www.mcfi.net
2020 West Wells StreetStephanie King
Beaver DamMoraine Park Technical College
www.morainepark.edu
700 Gould StreetKarrie Bruegman‐May
Fond du LacMoraine Park Technical College
www.morainepark.edu
235 North Natioan AvenueKarrie Bruegman‐May
West BendMoraine Park Technical College
www.morainepark.edu
2151 North Main StreetKarrie Bruegman‐May
MadisonNeway Directions
www.newaydirections.com
6400 Gisholt Drive, Suite 102Jenna Ruehlow‐Haney
RhinelanderNicolet Area Technical College
www.nicoletcollege.edu
PO Box 518Lenore Bemke
WausauNorthcentral Technical College
www.ntc.edu
1000 Campus DriveLaura Hoffmeister
Green BayNortheast Technicial College
www.nwtc.edu
PO Box 19042Cynthia Theys
MilwaukeeParamount Healthcare Training Institute
paramounthti.com
2020 South 54th StreetMarcus Burris
JanesvillePioneer Court2122 Pioneer DriveTammy Bailey
WauwatosaQuality Healthcare Options
www.qhotraining.com
7425 Harwood AvenueMary Herker
FremontQuality CNA Training LLC ‐ Kaukauna9591 Ash LanePaulene Kipke
FremontQuality CNA Training LLC ‐ Monona9591 Ash LanePaulene Kipke
FremontQuality CNA Training, LLC ‐ LaCrosse9591 Ash LanePaulene Kipke
FremontQuality CNA Traning, LLC ‐ New Glarus9591 Ash LanePaulene Kipke
FremontQuality CNA Training LLC‐Green Bay9591 Ash LanePaulene Kipke
FremontQuality CNA Training LLC ‐ Waupaca 9591 Ash LanePaulene Kipke
Union GroveSouthern Wisconsin Center21425 Spring StreetDanielle Lorentz
FennimoreSouthwest Wisconsin Technical College
www.swtc.edu
Highway 18 EastJill Henry
Spring ValleySpring Valley Nurse Aide TrainingS830 Westland DriveJill Hartung
New RichmondSt. Croix Health Care Center1445 North 4th StreetSandy Hackenmueller
ManitowocSt. Mary’s at Felician Village2005 Division StreetJoan Smaglik
WhitehallTrempealeau County Health Care
www.tchcc.com
W20298 State Road 121Terri Sommer
PewaukeeWaukesha County Technical College
www.wctc.edu
800 Main StreetSally Christiansen
WaunakeeWaunakee Manor
waunakeemanor.com
801 South Klein DriveJane George
La CrosseWestern Technical College
www.westerntc.edu
400 7th Street NorthJoan Miskis
Mount HorebWisconsin Illinois Senior Housing DBA Ingleside Manor
www.inglesidehealthcare.org
407 North 8th StreetMarsha Miyagawa
ButlerWinnebago Mental Health Institute
website
PO Box 9Deborah Becker
NeenahWisconsin CNA Training Center1091 Jacobsen RoadChristina Rawlins
AshlandWisconsin Indianhead Technical College
website
2100 Beaser AvenueKathy Kitter‐Carey
Shell LakeWisconsin Indianhead Technical College
www.witc.edu
505 Pine Ridge DriveKathy Kitter-Carey
New RichmondWisconsin Indianhead Technical College
www.witc.edu
1019 South Knowles AvenueKathy Kitter-Carey
SuperiorWisconsin Indianhead Technical College
www.witc.edu
600 North 21st StreetKathy Kitter-Carey
KingWisconsin Veterans Home
website
N2665 County Road QQLeann Turzinski
Chippewa FallsWissota Health and Regional Vent Center7490 156th StreetSarah North

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Step 3: Evaluate Training Cost

Each nurse aide program in Wisconsin determines the costs for training. For example, the current cost estimate for the Nursing Assistant course at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha is $691 for resident tuition, two sets of uniforms, textbooks and curriculum, and supplies. There are additional fees incurred for certification fees, student accident insurance and other expenses. At Paramount Healthcare Training Institute in Milwaukee, the CNA classes cost $1,150, but discounts may be available. The website does not say what the cost includes. The Wisconsin CNA Training Center charges $855 for tuition and administration fees, but students will have other expenses for things like uniforms and supplies.

This leads to three important points. First, when estimating the cost of any of the CNA classes in Wisconsin, be sure to include all expenses in the calculations. Second, schools can change the training program rates at any time. Third, always inquire about financial aid offered through the school or available through outside funding sources, like the Department of Workforce Development and the Division Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).

Free CNA Training

There is a way to get free CNA training in Wisconsin. Students can work and train at Medicare and Medicaid funded skilled nursing facilities, and the employer will cover all training costs. Nurse aides who are already certified and then employed by a federally funded nursing facility within 12 months of certification can also ask for full employer reimbursement of training costs.

Step 4: Identify and Meet School and Program Prerequisites

Admittance into a CNA training program in Wisconsin requires meeting school and program prerequisites. They typically include the following:

  • Completing an application
  • Meeting the age requirement of 16 years or older
  • Passing a Wisconsin Caregiver and Department of Justice Criminal Background Check
  • Showing proof of immunizations that include tuberculosis screening; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); and chicken pox
  • Able to speak and write English and meet minimum math abilities

Step 5: Complete CNA Training

State law requires the Wisconsin CNA training program to be a minimum of 120 hours with 32 hours of clinical experience included. The classroom training covers topics under six broad care areas.

  1. Communication and social interaction
  2. Personal care skills
  3. Respecting resident’s rights
  4. Basic nursing skills
  5. Basic restorative services
  6. Dementias

The student learns how to successfully communicate with and establish effective relationships with clients; take and record vital signs; assist with bathing and grooming; apply assistive devices; protect client privacy; work with persons who have dementia; and much more. Clinical training gives the student hands-on experience with patients and residents while under the supervision of the RN or LPN.

Step 6: Take and Pass the NNAAP Exam

Pearson VUE is responsible for the implementation of the NNAAP competency evaluation examination and uses Credentia to administer Certified Nurse Aide testing. Exams can be taken at an approved regional test site or a training facility in Wisconsin.

The CNA exam consists of two parts: Written or Oral Test and Skills Evaluation.

Written or Oral Test – The Written Test has 70 multiple-choice questions. The Oral Test is comprised of 10 reading comprehension items and 60 multiple-choice questions. Pearson VUE provides an exam content outline, sample questions and a self-assessment reading test in its handbook. Here is a CNA practice exam.

Skills Evaluation – The Skills Evaluation takes place in a setting that replicates a real-world caregiving situation. Applicants are tested on five skills, and handwashing is always one of them. The remaining skills are randomly selected from a list of 22 skills taught in CNA training programs. One of the four skills will include demonstrating measurement skills.

Newly trained nurse aides and out of state CNAs must take and pass both parts of the exam within one (1) year of completing training to earn CNA certification in Wisconsin. If taking the exam under any other pathway, applicants can retake the examination at any time.

Step 7: Get Certified as a CNA in Wisconsin

Pearson VUE places the names of people who successfully passed the Written or Oral Examination and the Skills Evaluation in the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. Those who do not have to take the exam, per a pathway described earlier, will apply directly to the Wisconsin DHS for Registry placement.

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How to Keep CNA Certification Active

Certified Nurse Aides who want to work in a federally funded skilled nursing facility must maintain certification to be eligible for such employment. CNA Certification is for 24 months for these nurse aides. Within the 24 months, the nurse aide must work at least eight (8) hours in a paid nurse aide position to keep certification active. If the nurse aide did not work or report the 8 hours within the 24 months, certification to work in federally funded nursing homes, home health agencies, intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities, and hospices lapses. For reinstatement, the nurse aide must retake and pass the NNAAP competency test.

Per Wisconsin regulations, CNAs do not have to report work hours to maintain an active Registry listing if they will only be working in private or state funded facilities. It is not necessary to renew CNA certification. Employment hours only have to be reported to work in federally funded healthcare facilities. In Wisconsin, a nurse aide who is not eligible to work in a federally funded facility because certification lapsed will have a notated Registry listing.

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Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Wisconsin

Certified Nursing Assistants who are certified in Wisconsin to work in federally funded facilities are employed in nursing homes, hospices, facilities for people with intellectual disabilities and home health agencies. All CNAs can work in state-funded hospitals and non-Medicaid funded healthcare facilities which includes clinics and emergency centers. | See Job Openings

The current average CNA salary for the state of Wisconsin is $27,980 or $13.45 per hour. It is higher in certain cities. For example, the average salary for Certified Nurse Aides in Madison is $31,250 which is 11.7 percent higher than the state figure. Currently, there are approximately 32,380 CNAs working in the state. The projected nursing assistant jobs growth for Wisconsin for the period 2014-2024 is 13.4 percent. | See Job Openings

CNA Salaries in Wisconsin

WI CNA SalariesEmpl.Hourly mean wageAnnual mean wageWage percent relative std. errorHourly 10th % wageHourly median wageHourly 90th % wageAnnual 10th % wageAnnual median wageAnnual 90th % wage
National144315013.29276500.29.6412.7818.22200402659037900
Wisconsin3238013.45279800.810.1913.2217.60212002750036600
Appleton, WI113013.71285302.810.4513.4417.96217402795037360
Eau Claire, WI115013.22275002.610.2213.0916.96212502723035280
Fond du Lac, WI49013.48280301.810.5713.4316.92219902794035190
Green Bay, WI192013.54281602.410.3513.3817.70215402783036820
Janesville-Beloit, WI88012.64262903.09.9112.2116.52206202539034360
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN119014.12293601.811.9113.9917.58247802911036570
Madison, WI312015.02312502.611.0314.7819.26229403075040060
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI956013.33277201.310.0812.8417.49209702670036370
Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area292011.88247102.09.5711.6114.87199002415030920
Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area60013.00270402.310.2612.9516.11213402693033510
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI112013.36277902.510.4213.3716.92216702780035190
Racine, WI85013.13273202.410.1213.1516.26210602735033810
Sheboygan, WI46014.26296703.310.7014.1418.36222602940038190
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area269013.51281102.410.3013.3817.40214302783036190
Wausau, WI72013.15273504.19.9713.1216.52207302728034350
Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area248013.64283802.110.4613.5717.54217602822036480

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Get CNA Certification in Bordering States

  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota

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