Top CNA Programs in South Dakota

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), along with their RN colleagues, are the healthcare workers who interact directly and most frequently with patients. Together, the two provide around 85% of direct patient care. It's for the reason that CNAs, along with RNs, are often referred to as ‘the backbone' of the medicine.

Typically, CNAs earn around $20,000 annually. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that through 2022, job growth in the CNA sector will rise by 21%. With that in mind, now is perhaps a better time than any to begin a career as a CNA.

Common CNA duties and responsibilities:

• Wound care
• Infection prevention
• Maintaining hygiene
• Monitoring and recording vitals
• Housekeeping
• Assisting with transportation

How to Choose a Top CNA Program in South Dakota

If you're thinking of pursuing a career as a CNA, you should pursue the top programs that are available in the state. It's recommended to take the following into consideration:

• Program success rate
• Student to instructor ratio
• Cost to attend
• Pass rate of the state certification exam
• Job placement assistance
• Length of time the program has been operating
• Institutional and program awards, accolades and accreditations
• Number of campuses the program is offered at
• Local healthcare facility partnerships
• Availability of financial aid, scholarships, and grants
• Credentials of instructors
• Job placement rate

Testing and Certification

The very first step that any prospective CNA should take is to seek out and enroll in a state-approved CNA program. To be considered state-approved, the program must be comprised of at least 75 total instruction hours. A list of these programs can be found on the South Dakota Board of Nursing website.

Nursing students are permitted to apply for CNA training waivers given that they have already completed the fundamentals of their nursing coursework with passing grades. Students who have been approved for the training waiver are still required to pass the CNA exam before they're licensed. Individuals who have already been granted RN or LPN licensure can be exempted from CNA training and state assessment requirements.

When the above requirements have been met, the next step is to take and pass the state competency assessment. The assessment is composed of two district evaluations-knowledge and skills. The knowledge portion of the exam can be administered in either a written or oral format. To pass, CNA candidates will need to have a score of at least 75%. The second portion of the exam is the skills assessment. Here, students will be tested on five nursing assistant duties in a simulated environment. Again, candidates must score at least 75% to pass this part of the test. In the case that a candidate fails one of the tests, he/she will only be required to retake that portion.

List of Top CNA Classes and Programs in South Dakota