Becoming a CNA in Louisiana

What is Involved in Completing CNA Training in Lousiana?

As required by Louisiana state regulations, you have to be listed as certified on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry prior to practicing as a CNA in a  health care facility. The Louisiana Department of Health has approved  CNA training programs in the state that will help you become certified as a nurse aide. After attending one of these programs, you will take a test on your skills.  This  needs to be passed prior to beginning work in a medical setting.

Enrollment and Completion of CNA Classes in Louisiana

Step 1:
Find an approved program in your state:

Courses provided in the state curriculum for the CNA classes will teach you how to efficiently and safely perform the duties of caring for patients while under supervision of a practicing RN. You will learn these skills within a classroom setting as well as in a clinical environment. This hands on experience will be an instrumental part of your ability to pass the CNA certification exam, so make certain that you get the most out of your training while in your clinical rotations.

Step 2:

CNA classes will meet a set 80 hours of training. The first 40 hours will be spent in the classroom, and the remaining 40 will be spent actively training in a hands on precept position. Curriculum is derived and stipulated by the State. You will have to be 18 years old in order to enroll in a nurse aide training program. You should also be prepared to undergo a full physical that includes a two-part TB test. In accordance with federal laws, you will also be required to undergo a criminal background check prior to enrolling.

CNA Testing Procedures and Applying for CNA Certification in Lousiana

Step 1:

When you are ready to take the state exam at the end of your program, you will need to register at one of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing approved test locations. .

Step 2:

You will need to preregister to take the exam, which is issued by the state and managed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It can be taken at a number of testing sites including Red Cross, but many CNA training schools are authorized as testing sites. It’s a good idea to show up for the exam a few minutes early to allow for time for signing in, showing your photo ID, and getting your nerves settled to master the test.

Step 3:

The test has 2 parts, a written multiple choice section and a skills test that must be passed with at least 70 percent accuracy. The written test contains 60 questions and ten of them are designed to test your reading comprehension ability. Typically, the time limit for the exam is two hours.  You will also need to be able to pass a second skills portion before you can be certified.  The clinical skills test will require the nurse aide candidate to display the proper way of physically caring for a patient and the 5 tests are picked in a randomized process. After passing the test, the nurse aide will then be automatically registered with the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry, and you can obtain a copy of proof of certification from this agency at your discretion. Your Certification is valid for 2 years after registration and you will need to renew this certification every 2 years.

Step 4:

Once you have passed the exam and are now on the state registry it is time to look for a job.   We offer an extensive database of jobs in many different local areas around the country.  Please visit our jobs page and fill out a resume.

The Louisiana Workforce states that there will be a 30% growth in jobs for the certified nurse aide till the year 2016. As a certified nurse aide in Louisiana, you will make a median CNA Salary of $22,052 a year. There is room for salary growth as you gain experience and additional certifications.
Step 5:

Dont let this be the end of you education.  While Becoming a CNA is fantastic, this career field does not have a ton of room for advancement. Consider Applying to RN programs or LPN Programs in your area.

For additional Information please visit:
Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry
Louisiana State Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators
5647 Superior Drive
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
Phone: (225) 295-8575
Fax: (225) 295-8578