What is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?

A CNA, or certified nursing assistant, is an entry-level position that’s part of a patient’s healthcare team. A CNA is a vital part of a larger healthcare team that works closely with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers, under the supervision of licensed nurses, to perform important tasks, such as mobility care, bathing, eating, grooming, recording the vital signs of patients, monitoring patient food intake and more.

Certified nurse assistants are also referred to as Nurse Aides (NA), Personal Care Aides (PCA), State Tested Nurse Aides (STNA), such in the state of Ohio, or Licensed Nurse Aides (LNA), in Arizona and Vermont.

Alabama CNA Training Indiana CNA Training
Nebraska CNA Training South Carolina CNA Training
Alaska CNA Training Iowa CNA Training Nevada CNA Training South Dakota CNA Training
Arizona CNA Training Kansas CNA Training New Hampshire CNA Training Tennessee CNA Training
Arkansas CNA Training Kentucky CNA Training New Jersey CNA Training Texas CNA Training
California CNA Training Louisiana CNA Training New Mexico CNA Training Utah CNA Training
Colorado CNA Training Maine CNA Training New York CNA Training Vermont CNA Training
Connecticut CNA Training Maryland CNA Training North Carolina CNA Training Virginia CNA Training
Delaware CNA Training Massachusetts CNA Training North Dakota CNA Training Washington CNA Training
Florida CNA Training Michigan CNA Training Ohio CNA Training West Virginia CNA Training
Georgia CNA Training Minnesota CNA Training Oklahoma CNA Training Wisconsin CNA Training
Hawaii CNA Training Mississippi CNA Training Oregon CNA Training Wyoming CNA Training
Idaho CNA Training Missouri CNA Training Pennsylvania CNA Training
Illinois CNA Training Montana CNA Training Rhode Island CNA Training

How to become a CNA

Earn Your High School Diploma or GED

Most states require a high school diploma or GED before entering a CNA training program.

Complete a State-Approved CNA Training Program

The length of CNA training programs varies from state to state, but the average minimum required hour is 75 hours of classroom instructions plus time spent shadowing an experience nurse or nurse caregiver.

Complete In-Person Clinical Training

After you complete your CNA training course, you must complete an in-person clinical training session at a hospital or healthcare facility before you can take the exam and become certified. Federal regulations mandate that all CNA training programs include at least 16 hours of “hands-on” clinical experience, though most states exceed this minimum.

Pass a State-Approved CNA Certification Exam

Once you complete your in-person clinical training, you are eligible to take a state-approved examination.