CNA Training in Maryland

You might just be excited working as a certified nurse aide in Maryland when you find out how many people in this position move into other areas of the nurse care field such as an RN or LPN; however, many people choose to remain in this career for life because they find it to be so rewarding on many levels. Whether you decide to work in a local hospital, clinic, blood donation center, retirement community, or for a hospice care provider, every day will present new challenges. Nurse aides are in high demand statewide, and you can find your niche in this allied health care career rather quickly.

To enjoy CNA certification in Maryland, you must participate and pass a training program that is approved and governed by the Maryland Board of Nursing and then pass a licensing examination. Before you can enroll in the CNA training that you need, a few prerequisites must be in order. Students will need to be at least 18 years of age, posses a high school diploma or equivalent, and be ready to undergo a full physical screening and background check. Because of the nature of the work, the screening will include any testing for contagious illnesses, and your criminal history must be free from specific offenses that would place patients at risk.

Course enrollment requirements to meet the state mandated minimums include 100 hours of class attendance that is divided between classroom work  and clinical learning. These CNA classes will contain curriculum such as maintaining a resident patient’s room by changing linens, controlling disease, preventing infection and medical terminology. You will also learn how to operate commonly used medical equipment such as blood pressure devices, scales, and many others. Most courses will include teaching you basic phlebotomy skills, CPR certification, and how to handle emergency situations with patients.

The state certification test is taken at the end of the nurse training program, and a number of schools also serve as authorized testing centers. However, some schools do not, which means you will need to preregister with a nearby training facility. During the test, you will have to take a written exam and a skills assessment evaluation. Total test time will be about two and a half hours. You must score a passing grade on each test to pass. From there, your results are sent to the registry and you will be listed on the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry as a certified nurse aide.

The average annual CNA salary in Maryland is reported to be at $27,900, and positions are expected to increase nearly 29% during the next 5 years. That means that the person interested in becoming a CNA in this state can expect some very strong job security as well as a decent pay.

If you are concerned about paying for your classes, take a look at our section that discusses free CNA training, and you can discover a few ways that you could qualify for reduced or free training.