Federal law prohibits any state from hiring a nurse aide for a long term care facility without the aide first being listed on the Nurse Aide Registry of that state. Each state is required to also have its own registry and maintain the records constantly so that they are available for employers to investigate a nurse aides status. Anyone listed on the registry, must be certified first.

When a person wishes to work as a nurse aide in the state of New York, they must become certified by doing 3 things:
• Completing an approved nurse aide training course,

• efficiently passing a state issued exam and

• being listed on the New York Nurse Aide Registry.

The CNA training in New York must be approved by the New York State Department of Health. Other requirements to enroll in the training program include not having any negative findings on a criminal background check and passing a physical health exam. The current need for certified nurse aides in New York is overwhelming and there is not a better time to explore the amazing and exciting opportunities offered in the world of the certified nurse aide.

Training programs for the nurse aide can be taken at many educational sources as well as medical facilities as long as they are approved. You can obtain a list of approved sites by contacting your local New York Health Department. The nurse aide training programs in New York must contain the following elements in order to be approved as an official CNA training in New York program:

• Total of 100 instruction hours split into 2 sections, 1 part being 75 hours during class room studies and the other part being 30 hours of on-the-job skill training.
• Approved curriculum such as CPR which covers essential requirements of a nurse aide while on the job.

While you can be 18 to work as a CNA in New York, some program administrators require you to be older in order to enroll. You can check with your training program of choice to inquire about their specific age requirements.

Courses which are approved to be taken at the New York CNA certification program should include general nursing assistant skills. They must also include knowledge such as learning how to speak, read and write medical terminology, attending to patients basic needs like grooming, feeding and knowing emergency procedures. The on-the-job training will give you the skills you need to pass the clinical test on the state exam.

After successfully finishing the approved CNA classes in New York, the last thing to do is take the state issued exam which is given by Prometric. The registration process requires you to send information pertaining to your completed training program as well as the criminal and health check proof. The test is issued in 2 sections that require you to show on paper and physically that you are proficient in the teachings of your training program. The paper test consists of questions in which you will choose the answers from multiple choices. You may also choose to receive an oral exam for this portion if it is easier for you. The skills part will include 5 tests that you will have to perform a hands-on nurse aide skills chosen by the test instructor for each one. After passing the exam, you will be considered certified and listed on the registry in New York.

A CNA in the state of New York earns a median CNA salary of $31,100 a year as listed on the New York Department of Labor website. Furthermore, the future of the CNA looks bright as there is an estimated above average growth rate of 11.6% in the state of New York.

New York Nurse Aide Registry
NY State Department of Health – Bureau of Professional Credentialing
161 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054-1393
Phone: (518) 408-1297
The online Nurse Aide Registry is managed by Prometric.
License Verification: (800) 918-8818