CNA Programs in New Mexico
It’s no secret that trained and qualified certified nurses aides (certified nursing assistants) are in demand in New Mexico, and elsewhere. In fact, with the growth in demand for candidates with these skills expected to top 28% in the state over the next five years, this is certainly a great choice.
There are, however, a few things you need to know about training and certification for Certified Nurse Assistants in New Mexico before you can start job hunting – so read on, and find out everything you need to know.
Who Approves CNA Training Programs In New Mexico?
All accredited Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs in New Mexico need to be approved by the New Mexico Department of Health. The Division of Health Improvement at the Department keeps the list of approved providers up to date, but new programs are being added all the time, so it’s worth finding out about any that you are considering before you sign up.
Why Is CNA Training Important In New Mexico?
You may have heard a rumour that you can work as a CNA in New Mexico without training or certification. However, that’s not entirely true. You may be able to find a job as a nursing aide without training or certification if you work in a private facility, but any state, Medicare or Medicaid facilities will require certification before they hire you.
People who work as nurses aides without training or certification also tend to earn much less than their certified counterparts, and with courses lasting just a few weeks to several months (depending on where and how you train) it’s worth taking the time to get certified first.
What Do CNA Training Programs In New Mexico Cover?
When you train as a certified nurses aide in New Mexico, you cover both practical and theoretical elements in your course. You will learn everything you need to know to work as a CNA in a hospital, nursing home or any other medical facility – from basic nursing to infection control, patient rights and how to work with terminally ill patients.
How Does Certification for Nurses Aides Work In New Mexico?
After you have completed a state approved training course, you still need to get certified to work as a CNA in New Mexico. That means you need to take the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Examination, and apply for registration.
What Are the Job Prospects for a CNA In New Mexico?
The job outlook for CNA’s in New Mexico range from 11% in the South of the state, to nearly 30% in the north, between now and 2016. That means that no matter where you live, and where you want to work in the state, you should have no trouble finding a job.
What Does a CNA in New Mexico Earn?
A certified nurses aide in New Mexico can expect to earn an average salary of around $22,500. This varies from area to area, and from facility to facility, but it’s not bad considering the limited training required to work as a CNA. You can improve these earnings later on too – but training as a medical assistant or a nurse.
New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry
New Mexico Department of Health – Division of Health Improvement – Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau
2040 S. Pacheco Street, 2nd Floor, Room 413, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 476-9040
New Mexico State Board of Nursing
6301 Indian School Road NE
Suite 710
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505.841.8340 phone
505.841.8347 fax
Accredited CNA Training Classes & Programs in New Mexico
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Central New Mexico Community College – Albuquerque
525 Buena Vista Dr. SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
Clovis Community College CNA Course
417 Schepps Boulevard, Clovis, NM 88101
Dona Ana Community College – Las Cruces
3400 South Espina Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003
Eastern New Mexico University Nurse Aide Program – Roswell
52 University Blvd., Roswell, NM 88203
Mesalands Community College Nurse Aide Class – Tucumcari
911 South 10th Street, Tucumcari, NM 88401
New Mexico State University (NMSU) – Carlsbad
1500 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220
New Mexico State University (NMSU) Nurse Aide Training Program – Alamogordo
2400 North Scenic Drive, Alamogordo, NM 88310
New Mexico State University (NMSU) Nurse Assistant Program – Grants
1500 North 3rd Street, Grants, New Mexico 87020
Northen New Mexico College CNA Class – Espanola
921 Paseo de Onate, Espanola, New Mexico 87532
Northen New Mexico College Nurse Aide Course – El Rito
P.O. Box 160, El Rito, NM 87530
Pima Medical Institute CNA Program
957 South Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202
San Juan College Nurse Aide Program – Farmington
4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, NM 87402
The University of New Mexico CNA Training Course – Valencia
280 La Entrada Rd., Los Lunas, NM 87031
University of New Mexico Gallup
200 College Road, Gallup New Mexico 87301