CNA Programs in Iowa

If you’re interested in working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Iowa, then there are a few things you should know about training and registration, before you start looking for employment opportunities.

Is Being a CNA A Licensed Profession In Iowa?

Certified Nursing Assistants, a.k.a Certified Nurses Aides or Assistants in Iowa; don’t have to be licensed in order to work. However, they do need to undergo state approved training, and register with the Iowa Health Department. As with other states, a CNA in Iowa reports to a Registered Nurse (RN).

What Does CNA Training In Iowa Entail?

The training program for Certified Nurses Assistants in Iowa is one of the shortest – at just six weeks long. You will need to make sure that the program you choose is approved by the DIA, or Department of Inspections and Appeals. During the six week course, you will cover the prescribed syllabus, which includes 30 hours of class room study, and 75 hours of clinical training.

Training for a CNA is available through several colleges and community colleges, and in Iowa, there’s even an online CNA training program. It was developed and is run by the University of Iowa, in partnership with several other local colleges. That means that it’s possible to study to become a CNA in Iowa while you’re still working elsewhere, or even if you’re not close to another kind of training facility.

What Does Registration As a CNA in Iowa Mean?

In order to be included on the Iowa Nurse Aide Registry, you will need to pass a competency exam. Inclusion on the registry allows you to work as a nurses aide in the state, and is particularly critical if you want to work in any state run facilities or hospitals.

You may be able to find work that is similar to being a CNA without training or registration, but chances are you will earn well below the average salary that a registered nursing aide will.

Getting Free CNA Training In Iowa

A good idea, if you would like to become a nurses aide in Iowa, is to look out for offers of employment from state run facilities and hospitals. These positions usually include free training and testing, as well as guaranteed employment once you are registered.

What Does a CNA In Iowa Earn?

The good news, considering the very short period for which you will have to train as a CNA, is that in Iowa, the current average salary is a respectable $28,000, although a new CNA typically earns a little less than that.

Remember that salaries also differ according to where you work. For example, you might earn more working in a hospital than a healthcare franchise.

The good news, however, is that throughout the US, there’s a large, and growing, demand for trained and registered Certified Nursing Assistants, so whether you plan to stay in Iowa, or move to another state, this is a career well worth looking into.

Iowa Nurse Aide Registry
Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Health Facilities Division
Lucas State Office Building, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 281-4077
License Verification: (866) 876-1997

Iowa Board of Nursing
RiverPoint Business Park
400 S.W. 8th Street, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309-4685
Tel: 515/281-3255
Fax: 515/281-4825

 

Accredited CNA Training Classes & Programs in Iowa

Belmond-Klemme Community School District

411 10th Ave., NE, Belmond, IA 50421

Clinton Community College Nurse Aide Training

1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton, IA 52732

DMACC – Boone Campus

1125 Hancock Drive, Boone, IA 50036

DMACC CNA Course – Urban/Des Moines Campus

1100 7th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

DMACC Nurse Aide Program – West Campus

5959 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266

DMACC Nurse Aide Training Program – Carroll Campus

906 North Grant Road, Carroll, Iowa 51401

DMACC Nurse Assistant Program Ankeny Campus

2006 South Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50023

DMACC Nursing Assistant Program – Newton Campus

600 North 2nd Ave. West, Newton, Iowa 50208

Ellsworth Community College Nurse Aide Training – Iowa Falls

1100 College Ave., Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126

Genesis Medical Clinic – DeWitt

1008 11th Street, DeWitt, IA 52742

Hawkeye Community College CNA Class – Waterloo

1501 East Orange Rd., Waterloo, Iowa 50701

Indian Hills Community College CNA Training Program – Ottumwa

525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501

Iowa Central Community College Nurse Aide Training Program – Fort Dodge

One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Iowa Lakes Community College – Spencer

1900 North Grand Ave., Spencer, IA 51301

Iowa Lakes Community College – Spirit Lake

800 21st Street, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Iowa Lakes Community College CNA Program – Estherville

300 South 18th Street, Estherville, Iowa 51334

Iowa Lakes Community College CNA Training Course – Algona

2111 Highway 169 North, Algona, Iowa 50511

Iowa Lakes Community College Nurse Aide Training Course – Emmetsburg

3200 College Drive, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Iowa Valley Continuing Education CNA Training Program – Marshalltown

3702 South Center Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158

Iowa Valley Grinnell Nursing Assistant Program

123 6th Avenue West, Grinnell, IA 50112

Iowa Western Community College Nurse Aide Training Course – Council Bluffs

2700 College Rd., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51502

Kirkwood Community College CNA Program Lincoln Center

912 18th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404

Kirkwood Community College Nurse Aide Program Cedar Rapids

6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Marshalltown Community College

3700 South Center Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158

Muscatine Community College

152 Colorado St., Muscatine, Iowa 52761

North Iowa Area Community College Nurse Aide Program – Mason City

500 College Drive, Mason City, Iowa 50401

Northeast Iowa Community College – Calmar

P.O. Box 400, Calmar, IA 52132

Northeast Iowa Community College CNA Course – Peosta

10250 Sundown Road, Peosta, Iowa 52068

Northwest Iowa Community College Nurse Assistant Program – Sheldon

603 West Park Street, Sheldon, Iowa 51201

Scott Community College Career Assistance Center – Davenport

627 West 2nd Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801

Scott Community College Urban Center – Davenport

306 West River Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52801

Western Iowa Tech Community College – Sioux City

4647 Stone Avenue, Sioux City, IA 51102