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Becoming a CNA in North Dakota

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in North Dakota is an excellent way to enter the healthcare field. CNAs play a vital role in patient care by assisting with daily living activities and providing essential support to medical staff. This guide will walk you through the steps to becoming a CNA in North Dakota, including meeting eligibility requirements, completing training, passing the state exam, and maintaining certification.

 

 

Steps to Become a CNA in North Dakota

 

  1. Meet Basic Requirements: Ensure you meet the age, health, and background requirements for CNA training and certification.

  2. Attend a School: Complete a state-approved CNA training program in North Dakota.

  3. Pass the CNA Exam: Take and pass the North Dakota CNA competency exam, which includes written and skills sections.

  4. Certification Registration and Upkeep: Learn how to register as a CNA and maintain your certification by meeting renewal and in-service requirements.



1. Meet Basic Requirements

Before enrolling in a CNA training program, it’s essential to confirm that you meet the basic eligibility criteria set by the state of North Dakota. These requirements are in place to ensure that all candidates are capable of handling the demands of the job.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Age Requirement: You must be at least 16 years old to enroll in a CNA program.

  • Health Requirements: Candidates must be in good physical health and able to handle the physical tasks of caregiving, such as lifting and moving patients.

  • Immunizations: Proof of up-to-date immunizations is typically required, including vaccinations like TB and Hepatitis B.

  • Background Check: A criminal background check is mandatory. Candidates with a criminal history may face challenges in obtaining certification. It’s essential to provide specific information if there are any convictions that might be considered “substantially related” to the duties of a CNA.

  • Background checks are processed through the North Dakota Department of Health.

Meeting these basic requirements ensures that you are eligible to enroll in a CNA training program and can move forward with the certification process.

2. Attend a School

Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the basic eligibility criteria, the next step is to enroll in a state-approved CNA training program. These programs are offered by various institutions across North Dakota, including community colleges, vocational schools, and some healthcare facilities.

CNA Training Overview:

  • Training Hours: North Dakota requires a minimum of 75 hours of training. This includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice.

  • Classroom Hours: At least 59 hours of the program must be dedicated to theoretical learning, including patient care basics, infection control, and patient rights.

  • Clinical Hours: A minimum of 16 hours of hands-on clinical experience is required. During this time, students work directly with patients under the supervision of licensed nurses in a healthcare setting, such as a long-term care facility.

Curriculum Topics:

During the training, you’ll cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Basic Nursing Skills: Understanding patient hygiene, taking vital signs, and assisting with daily living activities.

  • Infection Control: Learning how to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.

  • Emergency Procedures: Knowing what to do in case of an emergency, such as performing CPR.

  • Patient Rights: Ensuring the dignity and rights of residents are upheld in all care environments.

  • Mental Health: Gaining insights into caring for patients with mental health conditions, including those with dementia.

Choosing a Program:

When selecting a CNA program, consider the following:

  • Accreditation: Ensure the program is approved by the North Dakota Department of Health.

  • Location: Choose a program that is convenient for your location.

  • Program Duration: Some programs are accelerated and can be completed in as little as 4 weeks, while others may extend over several months.

  • Cost: Tuition fees vary between $500 to $1,500 depending on the program. Some healthcare facilities may offer free training in exchange for a work commitment after certification.

Featured CNA Programs in North Dakota

Online

NDSCS-Fargo

NDSCS-Fargoís CNA program stands out for its flexible learning formats, offering both hybrid and self-paced options to accommodate different schedules. The program also provides extensive financial aid opportunities and includes a comprehensive focus on patient care and infection control, ensuring Read more…
$650
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3. Pass the CNA Exam

After completing your training program, you are eligible to take the North Dakota CNA competency exam. This exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies LLP (D&S-Headmaster) and consists of two parts: a written (or oral) test and a skills evaluation.

Exam Structure:

  • Written Test: The written portion includes 72 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as basic nursing skills, infection control, communication, patient rights, and more. You will have 90 minutes to complete this section.

  • If English is not your first language, you may request to take the test orally. However, there is an additional fee for the oral exam.

  • Skills Test: In the skills evaluation, you will be required to demonstrate 3 to 4 randomly selected nursing tasks from a list of 30 possible skills. You’ll have 30 minutes to complete the skills portion.

  • Common skills include hand hygiene, transferring a patient using a gait belt, and taking vital signs.

Preparing for the Exam:

  • Practice Tests: Many training programs offer practice exams to help students prepare. There are also free online CNA practice tests available, which are highly recommended for test preparation.

  • Testing Attire: While not mandatory, it’s advised to wear scrubs and closed-toed shoes on the day of your exam.

Exam Day Checklist:

You will need to bring the following to your exam:

  • Government-issued photo ID: This can include a driver’s license, state-issued ID, or U.S. passport.

  • Social Security Card: This is required for identification purposes.

  • Non-skid, closed-toe shoes: These are necessary for the skills portion of the exam.

  • Watch with a second hand: Required for tasks like measuring pulse and respiration during the skills test.

Passing the Exam:

  • To pass the written exam, you must score at least 75%.

  • On the skills exam, you must correctly perform all key steps and score at least 80% overall.

If you fail either portion, you are allowed to retake the exam up to three times. If you do not pass after three attempts, you will need to retake the entire training program.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you pass both portions of the CNA exam, your name will be added to the North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry, and you can officially start working as a CNA.

Renewal Requirements:

CNA certification in North Dakota is valid for 24 months. To maintain your certification, you must:

  • Complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work during the two-year certification period.

  • Complete any required in-service training, which includes updates on healthcare practices and patient care standards.

Renewing Your Certification:

The renewal process involves submitting proof of employment and completing any required in-service training hours. The North Dakota Department of Health will send a renewal notice to remind you when your certification is due for renewal. If you let your certification expire, you may need to retake the exam or training program to regain certification.

Verification of Certification:

To verify your CNA certification or renew it, you can visit the North Dakota CNA registry website or contact the Health Facilities Unit.

 

Summary of CNA Certification Process in North Dakota

Requirement Details
Training Hours Minimum of 75 hours (59 classroom, 16 clinical)
Exam Components Written (or Oral) and Skills Test
Passing Scores 75% on written, 80% on skills test
Renewal Requirements 8 hours of work and in-service training every 24 months
Exam Fees Fees vary depending on the test site and whether it’s oral or written
Testing Agency D&S Diversified Technologies (D&S-Headmaster)

 

Following these steps will help you navigate the process of becoming a CNA in North Dakota, enabling you to start a fulfilling career in healthcare.

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1,208 Rolette Community Care Center thumbnail?panoid=yGaS4RRDH0jaWZ3UCgIDbw&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=90.95895&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://rolettecommunitycarecenter.com/ 804 State St Rolette ND 58366 M595+2R Rolette, North Dakota (701) 246-3786 48.67 -99.84 48.6675682-99.8404388 Nursing home Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
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