Initial Registration Steps, Skills Evaluation, Knowledge Exam
CNAs are valuable members of nursing teams in skilled nursing facilities (NF) and many assisted living facilities. CNAs assist licensed nurses (RNs and LPNs) by providing essential nursing cares that the nurse delegates to the CNA. Licensed nurses are required to appropriately delegate and supervise CNAs. Follow the steps below to register as a CNA. Only persons who are actively registered with the Board may use the title of “Certified Nurse Aide” and the abbreviation “CNA”.
CNA Registration Requirements
1. Nurse aide student must apply to the Board: CNA Online Application
2. Complete a Board-Approved Nurse Aide Training Program Board-Approved Programs
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Training programs are 75-hours in length, the first 16 hours of training must be completed before a student is allowed to work with residents.
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Following the first 16 hours, a student must complete 43 hours of learning thru online, book, lab, and supervised clinical training.
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While in training, students must demonstrate common nurse aide skills: Handwashing, PPE Use, obstructed airway, moving a resident up in bed, log rolling, positioning on side, use of transfer belt, transferring from bed to wheelchair, assisting with ambulation with cane/crutches, obtaining blood pressure, obtaining pulse and respiration, obtaining weight, completing bed bath, oral care, oral care for unconscious resident, denture care, foot care, dressing and assisting resident with weak side, applying elastic stockings, output measurement and documentation, use of bedpan, emptying urinary drainage bag, urinary (Foley) catheter care, measuring and documenting input, feeding resident, and hydration.
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During the Skills Lab, or at the end of the training program, an RN Skills Evaluator evaluates a student on 4 randomly selected, commonly performed CNA skills, using the board’s approved checklist forms. Evaulation checklists are similar to the checklists found in Hartman's Nurse Assistant Care: Long-Term Care (2022); 5th Ed.: Workbook.
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The final 16 hours of training is spent in a nursing facility, or comparable nursing setting.
3. After completing the training program, the Program Director (or Primary Instructor) must submit the NATP Completion Verification Form and 4 Skills Evaluation Forms to the Board.
4. After steps 1, 2, and 3 are completed, register and pass the Board's approved CNA Knowledge Exam.
- A passing score of 75% is required. A student may retake the exam two times (additional training is needed after 3 attempts).
- Register through SDHCA
- Headmaster, the Board's approved test vendor, will notify the Board of the results of the exam.