Becoming a CNA in Nebraska
Steps to Become a CNA in Nebraska:
If you’re considering a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Nebraska, you’re in the right place. CNAs provide essential healthcare services to patients, assisting them with daily activities and ensuring their comfort. To become a CNA in Nebraska, there are several steps to complete, including meeting eligibility requirements, attending an approved CNA program, passing the Nebraska CNA exam, and maintaining your certification. This guide will walk you through each step in detail, helping you understand the process and get started on your career path.
- Meet Basic Requirements: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for CNA school admission and state certification in Nebraska.
- Attend a School: Find and attend a state-approved CNA program in Nebraska, considering important factors like cost, location, and curriculum.
- Pass the CNA Exam: Learn about the Nebraska CNA exam, including its structure and components, and how to prepare.
- Certification Registration and Upkeep: Understand how to register as a CNA in Nebraska and the requirements for keeping your certification active.
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1. Meet Basic Requirements
Before enrolling in a CNA training program, you need to make sure that you meet Nebraska’s basic eligibility requirements. These requirements ensure that all CNA candidates are prepared for the training and the responsibilities of the job.
Eligibility Requirements
- Age: You must be at least 16 years old.
- Language Proficiency: You need to speak and understand English, or a language that a substantial portion of the nursing home residents understand.
- Criminal Background: You must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. Crimes involving moral turpitude include actions that violate accepted moral standards, such as fraud, theft, or assault. A clean criminal background is required to work in healthcare.
- Health: You should be in good physical and mental health to perform the duties required of a CNA, such as lifting and assisting patients with movement.
These requirements are fairly standard and are intended to ensure that CNAs are capable of delivering safe, competent care.
2. Attend a School
Once you meet the basic requirements, the next step is to enroll in a state-approved CNA program. Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees CNA training, and all programs must meet certain state guidelines to qualify students for certification.
CNA Training Program Requirements
In Nebraska, CNA programs must include:
- 75 total hours of training, including:
- 16 hours of supervised clinical practice in a healthcare setting, where you’ll gain hands-on experience.
- Classroom instruction on essential nursing skills such as infection control, patient hygiene, safety procedures, and communication skills.
- 1 hour of specific training on recognizing and reporting abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property.
This combination of theory and practical experience prepares students for both the CNA exam and real-world patient care.
Considerations When Choosing a Program
When selecting a CNA program in Nebraska, here are key factors to consider:
- Accreditation: Make sure the program is approved by the Nebraska DHHS. Only graduates of accredited programs are eligible to take the state certification exam.
- Cost: Program costs can range from $400 to $1,500. Financial aid options, scholarships, or employer-sponsored training programs may be available.
- Location: Choose a program that is conveniently located near your home or workplace. Community colleges, vocational schools, and healthcare facilities often offer CNA training programs.
- Schedule: Some programs offer flexible scheduling with evening or weekend classes to accommodate students who are working or have other commitments.
Once you complete a Nebraska-approved CNA training program, you’ll be ready to take the state’s certification exam.
Featured CNA Programs in Nebraska
3. Pass the CNA Exam
The final step to becoming a CNA in Nebraska is to pass the state’s CNA certification exam. The exam is designed to assess your knowledge and ability to perform essential CNA tasks.
Exam Structure
The Nebraska CNA exam consists of two parts:
- Written Exam:
- This exam tests your theoretical knowledge through 50 multiple-choice questions. You’ll need to demonstrate your understanding of topics like patient care, safety, communication, and infection control.
- A minimum passing score of 70% is required.
- If necessary, you can request the written exam to be given orally.
- Skills Exam:
- The practical skills portion requires you to demonstrate proficiency in six CNA skills, such as handwashing, transferring a patient, changing bed linens, and performing a partial bed bath.
- Each skill must be performed correctly, and you must achieve a minimum score of 70% on each skill to pass.
- Some skills have “mandatory” steps that must be completed accurately to avoid failing that skill.
Candidates have three opportunities to pass both the written and skills exams. If you do not pass after three attempts, you will need to retake the 75-hour CNA training course before trying again.
Need practice? Click here to access our CNA exam practice test.
Preparing for the Exam
Here are some helpful tips to prepare for the Nebraska CNA exam:
- Review the coursework from your training program, focusing on areas like patient safety, infection control, and communication techniques.
- Practice your skills with classmates or a friend to ensure you are comfortable demonstrating tasks such as moving patients and taking vital signs.
- Take practice tests to familiarize yourself with the structure of the written exam and boost your confidence.
Exam Fees
Exam Component | Cost |
---|---|
Written/Oral Exam | $50-$60 |
Skills Exam | $70-$100 |
Costs may vary depending on the testing center, so confirm the exact fee when scheduling your exam.
4. Certification Registration and Upkeep
After passing both portions of the CNA exam, you will need to officially register as a CNA with the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry. This step allows you to legally work as a CNA in the state.
How to Register
Once you pass the exam, the testing center will submit your results to the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry. You will be added to the registry, which is a public record that healthcare employers can check to verify your certification status. Nebraska does not issue physical certificates or licensure cards for CNAs, but you can print a verification card directly from the registry website.
To stay active on the registry, you must work as a CNA for at least one day within the past two years in a paid position at an approved healthcare facility, such as a nursing home, hospital, or hospice.
Maintaining Your Certification
Nebraska requires CNAs to renew their certification every 24 months. To maintain active status, you must:
- Work at least one day (8 hours) in the last two years in a paid CNA position at an approved facility.
- Complete any in-service training required by your employer. This training helps you stay up to date with healthcare standards and practices.
If you do not work for two consecutive years, your certification will lapse. To reactivate your CNA status, you will need to pass the written and skills exams again.
Transferring Your CNA License to Nebraska
If you are a CNA in another state and want to work in Nebraska, you’ll need to apply for interstate endorsement. Here’s how the process works:
- Submit the Interstate Endorsement form to the Nebraska DHHS. This form confirms your active CNA status in another state.
- Complete Nebraska’s 1-hour training on abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property.
- Contact the Nurse Aide Registry in the state where you were initially certified to verify your CNA status.
Once your application is processed, you’ll be listed on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry, allowing you to work as a CNA in the state.
Summary of CNA Certification Process in Nebraska
Requirement | Details |
---|---|
Training Hours | 75 hours (including 16 hours of clinical practice) |
Exam Structure | Written/oral exam and skills test |
Certification Validity | 24 months |
Renewal Requirements | Work at least one day as a CNA in a paid position within the last 24 months |
Interstate Endorsement | Available for out-of-state CNAs |
By completing these steps, you can become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Nebraska and begin working in healthcare, helping patients and contributing to their well-being.
Other Local CNA Programs
id | Name | Image | Website | Street Address | City | State | Zip Code | Map Link | plus_code | Phone | latitude | longitude | latlong | Category | Reviews | Rating | 5star | 4star | 3star | 2star | 1star | description | Monday Hours | Tuesday Hours | Wednesday Hours | Thursday Hours | Friday Hours | Saturday Hours | Sunday Hours | Details |
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1,229 | Jefferson Community Health & Life | https://www.jchealthandlife.org/ | 2200 H St | Fairbury | NE | 68352 | 5R4G+35 Fairbury, Nebraska | (402) 729-3351 | 40.16 | -97.17 | 40.1552029-97.1745584 | Hospital | 18 | 2.6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | More details | ||||||||||
1,230 | CNA Academy | 3327 109th Plaza | Omaha | NE | 68164 | 7WQ8+M9 Omaha, Nebraska | (402) 704-7733 | 41.29 | -96.08 | 41.2892305-96.0840761 | Education center | 71 | 4.9 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | More details | ||||
1,231 | Northeast Community College | https://northeast.edu/ | 801 E Benjamin Ave | Norfolk | NE | 68701 | 2JX4+X9 Norfolk, Nebraska | (402) 371-2020 | 42.05 | -97.39 | 42.0499081-97.3940962 | Community college | 66 | 4.6 | 51 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7:30AM to 5PM | 7:30AM to 5PM | 7:30AM to 5PM | 7:30AM to 5PM | 7:30AM to 5PM | Closed | Closed | More details | |||
1,232 | Pine Ridge Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center | https://pineridge.jobcorps.gov/ | 15710 US-385 | Chadron | NE | 69337 | M2J8+CH Chadron, Nebraska | (308) 432-3316 | 42.68 | -102.98 | 42.6810069-102.9835894 | Government office | 40 | 4.4 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | More details | ||||||||||
1,233 | Avera Creighton Hospital | https://www.avera.org/locations/profile/avera-creighton-hospital/?y_source=1_MTIyMTIzMTUtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D | 1503 Main St | Creighton | NE | 68729 | F38M+96 Creighton, Nebraska | (402) 358-5700 | 42.47 | -97.92 | 42.465908-97.9169091 | Hospital | 3 | 3.3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | More details | ||||||||||
1,234 | Bryan Medical Center East Campus | https://www.bryanhealth.com/locations/bryan-east-campus/ | 1600 S 48th St | Lincoln | NE | 68506 | Q8WW+CX Lincoln, Nebraska | (402) 481-1111 | 40.80 | -96.65 | 40.796104-96.6525568 | Hospital | 561 | 3.9 | 371 | 36 | 11 | 19 | 124 | More details | ||||||||||
1,235 | Comfort Keepers of Omaha, NE | https://www.comfortkeepers.com/offices/nebraska/omaha/ | 4060 Vinton St #100 | Omaha | NE | 68105 | 62HG+57 Omaha, Nebraska | (402) 503-3175 | 41.23 | -95.97 | 41.2279167-95.9742743 | Home health care service | 24 | 4.6 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | More details | |||
1,236 | CHI Health Schuyler | https://www.chihealth.com/locations/chi-health-schuyler | 104 W 17th St | Schuyler | NE | 68661 | FW4Q+7M Schuyler, Nebraska | (402) 352-2441 | 41.46 | -97.06 | 41.455689-97.060855 | Hospital | 77 | 4.4 | 57 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | More details | |||
1,237 | Clarkson College | https://www.clarksoncollege.edu/ | 101 S 42nd St | Omaha | NE | 68131 | 725F+QR Omaha, Nebraska | (402) 552-3100 | 41.26 | -95.98 | 41.2594162-95.9754795 | College | 44 | 4.5 | 30 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | More details | ||||||||||
1,238 | Elwood Care Center | https://www.elwoodcarecenter.com/ | 607 Smith Ave | Elwood | NE | 68937 | H4PQ+QH Elwood, Nebraska | (308) 785-3302 | 40.59 | -99.86 | 40.5868835-99.8610305 | Non-profit organization | 22 | 4.6 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | More details | ||||||||||
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