CNA training in North Dakota is required before you can go on to take the state exam and be listed on the North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry as a certified nurse aide. You must also pass a criminal background investigation and physical exam prior to enrolling in a North Dakota Department of Health approved program. The career of a CNA can be very promising with job growth expected all over the nation due to shortage caused by the lack of qualifications and federal regulation requirements. It is exciting to learn that if you are seeking to be employed by a nursing home, long term care facility or other medical care establishment in North Dakota, your training tuition could possibly be paid for you according to federal law, within 12 months of passing the training program. See our article concerning free CNA training for details.

Courses must include no less than 75 federally mandated hours in nurse aide studies. Of the total 75, at least 16 hours must be spent in a hands-on skills training facility under direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Some curriculum learned in approved CNA classes in North Dakota  includes in-class studies of nursing basics. Besides, it also includes outside studies skills where you will learn the following:

• how to administer CPR and other lifesaving techniques,
• deal with emergency care and situations,
• handle patients with mental and physical disorders,
• help patients deal when death is unavoidable,
• write, read and record vital signs such as temperature, pulse and weight for patient records,
• deliver meals and
• change bedding/sheets in patients rooms.

After finishing the state approved nurse aide training program, you can take the North Dakota State Competency Exam. You must apply through the website, over the phone or in person and fees associated with registering and taking the exam.  Once you have applied and received a test date, time and place, you should arrive at test location at least 30 minutes early so that your information can be processed and you can have a few minutes to calm your nerves before testing.

The exam is divided into two parts: written and physical clinical skills. The written part will be taken first where you will answer to the best of your ability, the 72 multiple choice questions in 12 areas presented to you. Time limit for written part is 90 minutes and you must score at least 75% correct to pass. In the clinical part of the test, you will have 30 minutes to score 80% accuracy on 5 nurse skills, which you will actively demonstrate for the instructor, and these are randomly chosen by the instructor. Test results are sent by mail within 5 days of you completing test, and if passing scores are attained you will be placed on the North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry.

The current median wage for a CNA in North Dakota is between $23,000 and $25,000 a year depending on the city of residence. Job growth is very promising as the population of elderly residents is expected to double in the next 10 years.

For additional information regarding CNA Certification in North Dakota visit:

North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry
North Dakota Department of Health Division of Health Facilities
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 301, Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone: (701) 328-2353
Fax: (701) 328-1890