A certified nursing assistant (CNA) helps patients with their daily tasks such as getting dressed, serving meals, and administering medications. A CNA is responsible for the safety and well-being of their patients. They play an important role so that registered nurses have time to take care of patients’ medical needs.
Average Salary of a CNA
While we cannot predict salary levels, you can check projections at with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics HERE.
Salaries can fluctuate based on multiple factors such as job availability, education levels, work experiences and more.
Education Needed to Become a CNA in Nebraska
Certified Nursing Assistants are professionals and therefore the job requires professional training. Fortunately, that training does not take long to obtain nor is it particularly expensive.
In Nebraska, a CNA requires a certification, not a license. To complete CNA certification, a candidate must enroll in a state-approved CNA program and achieve a passing score on the competency exam.
The cost of certification varies depending on the certification program chosen, but the average tuition for a CNA certification program in Nebraska is about $500 for tuition, books and exams. Uniforms may be an additional expense in some programs.
The total time it takes to complete a CNA program is 76 hours. Some certification programs can be completed in two weeks. Others offer evening classes or weekend classes that are spread out longer than two weeks.
Job Prospects for Nebraska CNAs
Certified Nursing Assistants are in high demand. At any given time, there are thousands of CNA job listings in Nebraska. CNAs can work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, private homes, doctor’s offices and other medical businesses where nursing assistance is required.
Many states also offer reciprocity for Nebraska certified CNAs so a professional’s certification can travel from state to state. Most states require some fees to issue a new certificate, but they do not require additional coursework or exams. Since each state has individual requirements, Nebraska CNAs should research the requirements in each state they’re interested in.
The cost and time it takes to obtain CNA certification in Nebraska are minimal. With a little investment of time, it won’t be long before someone wishing to be a certified nursing assistant can obtain a career helping others that comes with a good starting salary.
This post does not guarantee employment or specific earning potentials, it simply represents the variety of career opportunities to our students.