Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Nevada is an excellent career choice. You have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of residents you encounter daily while providing for your family.
States require different steps to get your name to the Nurse Aide Registry. Having a guide can alleviate any additional stress.
Guess what? That’s what we have for you today! We’ve listed five easy steps that will guide you on how to become a CNA in Nevada:
- Be Clear About Qualifications
- Choose the Best CNA Program
- Schedule the Certification Exam
- Apply for Certification
- Find Your First CNA Job
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!
How to Become a CNA in Nevada in 5 Steps
Becoming a CNA doesn’t need to be complicated, but it still requires time and effort.
Fortunately, we’ll be with you each step of the way. Let’s dig deeper into each of these.
Be Clear About Qualifications
Understanding the qualifications for a CNA in Nevada prepares you for the months ahead. Here are some primary requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be proficient in English
- Have a high school diploma or GED certificate
- Be in good physical health
- Show Proof of Immunization
- Tested negative for tuberculosis and drugs
- Can lift as much as 40 pounds without assistance
- Pass a criminal background check
If you’ve checked off all boxes, you can now enroll in a nursing assistant program.
Choose the Best CNA Program
Trying to figure out which nursing program to take is a good news-bad news situation.
The Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) lists 23 approved Nursing Assistant Programs. Nine are located in Northern Nevada, while seven are in Southern Nevada. Their list even includes seven high schools.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that you have to narrow the programs down to one.
The education requirement in Nevada for CNAs is straightforward — you must complete at least 75 training hours. Sixteen of these must include hands-on lessons.
Every aspiring CNA has different preferences when defining their ideal nursing aid program, so we’re not going to give you a list of top providers. Instead, we’ll share some elements you should consider when selecting your school.
- Cost: Unless you’re going for an employer-sponsored nursing program, tuition fee is something you must consider. Rates vary between schools, so the best way to deal with this is to canvas. Besides the actual tuition, look at the miscellaneous fees.
- Program Length: Schools deliver curriculums of varying lengths. The longer the program, the more expensive it tends to be. A shorter course can be attractive, but ensure it meets Nevada’s requirements.
- Pass Rates: The NSBN publishes annual CNA pass rates. These can give you an idea of how well a school prepares its graduates for the certification exam.
- Student support services: A school doesn’t just help you get the education you need. They can also assist before and after graduation through financial aid programs, grants, or partnerships with healthcare facilities.
Scheduling the Certification Exam
Once you’ve completed an approved CNA training program, you qualify to take the state certification exam.
Your school takes care of submitting your information to Headmaster, which administers the CNA certification exam in Nevada. Sometimes, your school will even schedule the exam for you.
Self-Scheduling Online
- You can schedule your exam by going to Headmaster’s website for Nevada.
- Click on the schedule/reschedule link under Candidate Forms (the first column).
- Choose a date. Remember, you will take both portions of the exam on the same day.
- Pay for the exam fee — $52.50 for the knowledge portion and $97.50 for one on skills.
- Wait for a confirmation email detailing your test schedule.
Self-Schedule Using a Form
If you can’t schedule your exam online, you can do it through email, post, or fax. Here are the steps:
- Fill out the Scheduling and Payment Form 1402NV-C. Ensure that you put in accurate information in all necessary fields.
- Send it to Headmaster through the various channels:
- Email it to hdmaster@hdmaster.com along with proof of payment (same rates apply).
- Mail it to P.O. Box 6609, Helena, MT 59604, along with a cashier’s check, facility check, or money order. Headmaster does not accept personal checks.
- Fax it to (406) 442 3357 along with proof of payment. This method requires an additional $5 as a Priority Service Fee.
- Wait for a confirmation of your exam schedule through the email address you provided. It should arrive within five business days. If you don’t receive yours, call Headmaster at (800) 393 8664.
Taking the Exam
You must answer 75 questions for the knowledge or written portion. These are from various subject areas covered in your training program. You have 90 minutes to answer everything and must get at least 77% to pass.
The second half of the exam is a skills test. You have 35 minutes to complete three or four tasks. Remember that each has a specific scenario, so you must respond appropriately.
On the day of your test, ensure you arrive early. Headmaster requires you to be at the testing site at least 20 to 30 minutes before your schedule.
Don’t forget to be in full clinical attire. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to take the test. Headmaster will tag you as a no-show, requiring you to pay another set of fees before getting a new exam date.
You have three chances to pass both portions of the exam. Otherwise, you’ll need to retake the nursing assistant program.
Headmaster will email you an official copy of your results, but you can also check them on Headmaster’s Nevada website. You can access it through the Test Results Login link. Prepare the following information:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your Testing ID
- Your exam date
- Your birth date
Apply for Certification
In most states passing the state certification exam gets your name on the nurse aide registry. In Nevada, there’s one more step before that happens.
Here’s how you apply for certification:
- Go to Nevada’s Nurse Portal and create an account.
- Complete your application online and pay the $50 fee.
- Upload the necessary documents, such as the certificate from the 75-hour approved nursing assistant program you completed.
- Submit a completed fingerprint card to the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
Typically, the board will take one week to review and process your application and documents. You can view the status of your application on your Nurse Portal Account.
Once approved, you can print out a paper copy of your license. The NSBN does not release cards for these.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a CNA in Nevada
When do I need to renew my certification?
CNAs need to renew their credentials every two years.
Nevada requires contact and practice hours for CNA license renewal. You must earn 24 contact hours in the 24 months directly preceding the renewal application. These are elective, but you must ensure you take something related to CNA tasks and responsibilities.
Besides Continuing Education, you must also have at least 40 practice hours within the same period. It’s the least you should have worked as a CNA.
Do CNAs earn much in Nevada?
The annual mean wage for CNAs in the U.S. is $33,250 as of May 2021. Working in Nevada may allow you to earn more since the median pay is $35,820 per year. However, several factors, such as tenure and industry, affect your compensation.
What should I expect for the Nevada certification exam?
The following topics make up the 75 questions for the written portion:
- 9 questions each: Basic nursing skills, Infection control, and Roles and responsibilities
- 7 questions each: Personal care and Safety
- 6 questions each: Disease process and Resident rights
- 5 questions each: Communication and Data collection
- 4 questions each: Care impaired, Mental health, and Aging process and Restorative care
For the skills test, your first task will always be one of the following:
- Bedpan and output
- Catheter care
- Donning isolation gown and gloves, measuring and recording urine output from a drainage bag
- Female perineal care
Remember that all these include handwashing. The Test Observer will also ask you to complete two or three more tasks in different situations.
The Wrap Up
And there you have it — a comprehensive guide to becoming a CNA in Nevada.
If, at any point, you feel you’ve lost your way, you can always return to this page, and you can pick up where you left off.
With these steps, you can finally begin. Good luck!