Get CNA Certified in Rhode Island
Want to become a CNA in Rhode Island?
Job Growth:
CNA jobs are projected to grow 11% by 2026. For every 1,000 jobs in Rhode Island there are 22 CNA jobs.
Salary:
The top 10% of CNAs in Rhode Island earn nearly $42,000/year, but the top 10% of the nation’s nurse aides earn $50,000.
Requirements:
To become a registered CNA, you must graduate from an accredited course, some as short as 4 weeks, and pass the state exam.
What are the CNA requirements in Rhode Island? Here’s how to prepare for your CNA state exam and how to become a Nurse Aide in Rhode Island.
What is a CNA?
A CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant, sometimes also known as a Certified Nurse Aide. They are integral to any medical team because they are responsible for the daily care of their patients. This includes dressing, bathing, feeding, and transporting patients. CNAs are most often employed at nursing homes, but also work at hospitals or private nursing facilities. With additional experience and training, they can also promote to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and then a Registered Nurse (RN).
CNA Requirements in Rhode Island
Graduate from a Certified Nursing Assistant School in Rhode Island
Have your CNA school submit an application to the Health Board
Pass a criminal background check
Submit an exam application
Pass the Nursing Assistant Exam
Register as a Certified CNA in Rhode Island
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How to Become a CNA in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Health certifies all Nursing Assistants in the state. All CNA programs in Rhode Island must include 100 hours of CNA training, include at least 20 hours of clinical hours for practical skills. Your instructors may be: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) with at least 1 year of nursing experience, as well as dietitians, pharmacists, and physical therapists.
There are many options for CNA training programs. Some can be as short as 4-week CNA classes with accelerated programs and others can be up to a year if you opt for a part-time school. You can also enroll in hybrid programs, with a portion of the classroom training being CNA classes online. You’ll still need to complete clinical training in person, however, with local CNA classes. These hybrid options can be great alternatives to traditional programs for students who are also working or have to commute to a training center.
You can find CNA schools near you by using the Free School Finder tool at the top of the page. Just enter your zip code and start browsing local options. You can even easily request them to contact you for additional information.
Once you graduate from a Rhode-Island approved CNA school, you must submit an application. Part of this application includes a criminal background check from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office. You must complete this check within 4 months of submitting your nursing assistant application. If you do have criminal charges, you are still eligible to become a CNA but you must submit detailed explanations about the charges.
Once you complete your training program, you can register for the test. It’s recommended that you also take practice tests in addition to your training program so you’re prepared for the type of exam questions. You can take a free CNA practice exam on our site. Once you pass the exam, congratulations! You can now be listed on the Rhode Island Nursing Registry as a CNA.
You are now eligible find CNA jobs in Rhode Island. Once you’re hired, you’ll need to complete a monthly evaluation with a licensed nurse for the first 3 months at your job. After the first 3 months of your employment, the evaluations will only be on a quarterly basis.
A Closer Look at CNA Training
A typical CNA program in Rhode Island will take about 143 hours of classes and study time. That includes 75 classroom hours, 24 hours of skill instruction, 40 hours of clinical training in a nursing facility, and a final 4 hour skills lab. Examples of CNA topics you’ll learn include:
Fluids and Meals
Basic Restorative Services
Bathing
Mental Health
Dementia & Cognitive Changes
Safety Emergency Procedures
Hand Washing
Infection Control
Medication
Recording Vitals
Patients’ Rights
The CNA Training Program can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000, depending on the program and sometimes registration fees and materials are not included. For example, the Community College of Rhode Island suggests a program will cost $860, which includes a $10 registration fee and textbook, workbook, blood pressure cuff, and stethoscope. You might be able to find free CNA classes through government grants, financial aid programs, and employers. For example, some nursing homes will reimburse you for your training cost if you’re employed within a certain time frame of graduating and passing the exam.
The CNA Test in Rhode Island
Passing the National Nursing Assistant Assessment Program (NNAAP) is a requirement to become a CNA in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Department of Health has partnered with both the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Pearson VUE, a testing company, to administer the state exam. CCRI schedules and administers the test, while Pearson VUE develops and scores the test results. You can access information about both in the Candidate Handbook.
First, you must submit an application to your CNA school called the Application for Licensure As A Nursing Assistant. Your school will then submit this application to the Rhode Island Department of Health. Then, you’ll submit a second application to CCRI called the Application for Registration By Examination. Once CCRI receives this application, you can schedule a time to take the exam. With this application, you will also send the exam fees to CCRI.
You must take and pass the CNA test in Rhode Island within one year of graduating from your nursing assistant program. If not, you will need to re-enroll in another CNA school. You can find regional test centers and schedules here. You must also arrive at your testing center 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time and expect to spend the majority of the day at the test site.
The Nursing Assistant test is divided into two sections: written and clinical skills. The written exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions and you will have two hours to complete it. You may also opt to take the oral version of this section. The questions will be on a cassette tape and includes 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 reading comprehensions questions. The oral examination is also available in Spanish, along with CNA classes en Español as well. The second section is a demonstration of clinical skills. A test administrator will randomly select 5 of the 23 possible skills. You will have 30 minutes to complete this section and must perform all 5 skills correctly in order to pass the manual skills section. You’ll be expected to demonstrate these skills as if you were in a nursing home with a volunteer acting as an elderly person.
If you are a nursing assistant working at a nursing home that supports Medicaid and Medicare programs, your employer must pay for the exam fees and any re-test fees. If you are not employed at a nursing home, you must pay your own exam fees.
CNA Exam Cost Broken Down:
$114 - Written & Skills Evaluation
$114 - Oral & Skills Evaluation
$35 - Written Exam only
$35 - Oral Exam only
$79 - Skills Exam only
On the Day of the Exam, Plan to Bring:
Two forms of official identification with signatures, one with a photo
Social Security number
Non-skid, closed-toe shoes for the clinical evaluation
Three No. 2 pencils and eraser
A watch with a second hand
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CNA Jobs in Rhode Island
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Rhode Island has an employment of nursing assistants of more than 10,000. Jobs are also the most closely concentrated in the entire country; for every 1,000 jobs in Rhode Island there are 22 CNA jobs. CNA jobs are projected to grow 11% nationwide by 2016. That’s much faster than the average 5% growth for other jobs.
There are nearly 12,000 nursing assistant jobs in Providence, Rhode Island. There are also 17,000 active CNA licenses in the state of Rhode Island.
The top 10% of CNAs in Rhode Island earn nearly $42,000/year. Rhode Island nursing assistants have an average wage of $15/hour and nearly $32,000/year.
Nearly half of all Certified Nurse Assistants in Rhode Island work at nursing facilities such as nursing homes. There are 118 nursing homes with CNA jobs just in Providence, according to a U.S. News study. CNAs are also employed at hospitals, medical facilities, and outpatient centers. They can also work directly for patients that reside in their private homes.
CNA Job Promotions
Becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant in Rhode Island is a great way to fast-track your nursing career. The next step up from a CNA is to become a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). You’ll be able to transfer credits from your CNA training program to your LPN program. The Community College of Rhode Island says your CNA programs will include 12 credits that can transfer to your LPN requirements. This will shorten your time to train as a LPN. Becoming a LPN will include additional work responsibilities and a higher salary. The top 10% of LPNs in Rhode Island earn $75,000/year and the average earn at least $60,000/year.
And for current news, CNA tips, and job information, become a regular reader of our CNA Blog.
How to Renew a CNA License in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Health requires Certified Nursing Assistants to renew their licenses every 24 months.
You must also keep your name and address current on the registry. To update either you can send a written notification to the Rhode Island Department of Health with the License Profile Change Form.
If your license has been expired for less than 24 months, you must submit proof to the Department of Health that you’ve worked as a nursing assistant for at least 8 hours in the past 2 years. If your license has been expired for more than 2 years, you must re-enroll in CNA school and retake the exam.
For additional questions and information contact:
Rhode Island Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908
Phone: (401) 222-5960
Monday - Friday; 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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State-Approved Nursing Assistant Programs in Rhode Island
ACCESS HEALTHCARE INC
702 WARREN AVENUE
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914
(401) 438-4747
ACE TRAINING SCHOOL INC
815 RESERVOIR AVENUE
CRANSTON, RI 02910
(401) 453-4545
ALPINE NURSING HOME
557 WEAVER HILL ROAD
COVENTRY, RI 02816
(401) 397-5001
AMERICAN SAFETY PROGRAMS & TRAINING INC
150 NIANTIC AVE
PROVIDENCE, RI 02907
(401) 273-6900
AQUIDNECK ISLAND ADULT LEARNING CTR
740 WEST MAIN ROAD
MIDDLETOWN, RI 02842
BRENTWOOD NURSING HOME
4000 POST ROAD
WARWICK, RI 02886
(401) 884-8020
BRIARCLIFFE MANOR
49 OLD POCASSET ROAD
JOHNSTON, RI 02919
(401) 944-2450
CCRI CENTER FOR WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
1762 LOUISQUISSET PIKE
LINCOLN, RI 02865
(401) 333-7283
CHARIHO ADULT EDUCATION VTA
459 SWITCH ROAD
WOOD RIVER JUNCTION, RI 02894
(401) 315-2871
CHARIHO CAREER & TECHNICAL CENTER
459 SWITCH ROAD
WOOD RIVER JUNCTION, RI 02894
(401) 364-6869
CHERRY HILL MANOR
2 CHERRY HILL ROAD
JOHNSTON, RI 02919
(401) 231-3102
COASTAL CAREER ACADEMY INC
807 BROAD ST
PROVIDENCE, RI 02907
(508) 536-5366
CRANSTON ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS
83 ROLFE STREET
CRANSTON, RI 02910
(401) 270-8166
CRANSTON AREA CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER
100 METROPOLITAN AVENUE
CRANSTON, RI 02920
(401) 270-8070
CROSSROADS RHODE ISLAND
160 BROAD STREET
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903-4028
(401) 521-2255
EAST PROVIDENCE CAREER & TECH
1998 PAWTUCKET AVENUE
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914
(401) 435-7815
ELDERWOOD OF SCALLOP SHELL AT WAKEFIELD
55 SCALLOP SHELL WAY
WAKEFIELD, RI 02879
(401) 789-3006
FRIENDLY HOME INC THE
303 RHODES AVENUE
WOONSOCKET, RI 02895
(401) 769-7220
GENESIS CENTER
620 POTTERS AVE
PROVIDENCE, RI 02907
(401) 781-6110
GENESIS HEALTHCARE AT SOUTH COUNTY CENTER
740 OAK HILL RD
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852
(401) 294-4545
GRACE BARKER NURSING CENTER
54 BARKER AVENUE
WARREN, RI 02885
(401) 245-9100
GRAND ISLANDER GENESIS HEALTH CARE
333 GREEN END AVENUE
MIDDLETOWN, RI 02842
(401) 849-7100
GREENVILLE CENTER
735 PUTNAM PIKE
GREENVILLE, RI 02828
(401) 949-1200
HEALTH CARE CONNECTIONS NURSING SERVICES INC
425 WILLET AVENUE
RIVERSIDE, RI 02915
(401) 437-3515
HEALTH CARE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
567 SOUTH COUNTY TRL # 301
EXETER, RI 02822
(401) 667-0471
HITEP INC
515 ELMWOOD AVE SUITE B
PROVIDENCE, RI 02907
(401) 785-2202
HOLIDAY RETIREMENT HOME INC
30 SAYLES HILL ROAD
MANVILLE, RI 02838
(401) 765-1440
HOME INSTEAD HOME CARE
100 JEFFERSON BLVD SUITE 310
WARWICK, RI 02888
(401) 667-2923
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR HEALTH CAREERS
297 ELMWOOD AVENUE
PROVIDENCE, RI 02907
(401) 523-3031
KENT REGENCY
660 COMMONWEALTH AVE
WARWICK, RI 02886
(401) 739-4241
LIFETIME MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
235 LONDSDALE AVENUE
PAWTUCKET, RI 02860
MEDICAL SKILLS TRAINING CENTER
681 PARK AVE SUITE 11
CRANSTON, RI 02910
(401) 272-4500
NURSING PLACEMENT
480 RESERVOIR AVENUE
CRANSTON, RI 02910
(401) 728-6500 X120
OAKLAND GROVE HEALTH CARE CENTER
560 CUMBERLAND HILL ROAD
WOONSOCKET, RI 02895
(401) 769-0800
OCEAN STATE NURSING SERVICES INC
3929 MENDON ROAD
CUMBERLAND, RI 02864
(401) 405-3810
OVERLOOK NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER
14 ROCK AVENUE
PASCOAG, RI 02859
(401) 568-2549
PHENIX HOME CARE INC
227 PHENIX AVENUE
CRANSTON, RI 02920
(401) 943-6230
REGIONAL CAREER CTR AT COVENTRY H S
40 RESERVOIR ROAD
COVENTRY, RI 02816
(401) 822-9499
RI ALLIED HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTITUTE
50 POWER ROAD
PAWTUCKET, RI 02860
RI NURSES INSTITUTE MIDDLE COLLEGE
150 WASHINGTON STREET
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903
SAINT ELIZABETH HOME EAST GREENWICH
1 ST ELIZABETH WAY
EAST GREENWICH, RI 02818
(401) 471-6060
SAINT ELIZABETH MANOR
1 DAWN HILL
BRISTOL, RI 02809
(401) 253-2300
SCALABRINI VILLA
860 NORTH QUIDNESSET ROAD
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852
(401) 884-1802
SILVER CREEK MANOR
7 CREEK LANE
BRISTOL, RI 02809
(401) 253-3000
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL
100 KENYON AVE
WAKEFIELD, RI 02879
(401) 788-1658
ST ANTOINE RESIDENCE
10 RHODES AVENUE
NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI 02896
(401) 767-3500
THE WALKER SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH LLC
490 METACOM AVENUE
BRISTOL, RI 02809
(401) 842-7411
TRINITY HEALTH & REHABILITATION
4 ST JOSEPH ST
WOONSOCKET, RI 02895
(401) 765-5844
WARWICK AREA CAREER & TECHNICAL CENTER
HEALTH OCCUPATION PROGRAM
575 CENTERVILLE ROAD
WARWICK, RI 02886
(401) 734-3150
WESTERLY EDUCATION CENTER
23 FRIENDSHIP ST
WESTERLY, RI 02891
(401) 584-4931
WM M DAVIES JR CAREER & TECH
50 JENCKES HILL ROAD
LINCOLN, RI 02865
(401) 728-1500
WOONSOCKET AREA CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER
400 AYLSWORTH AVENUE
WOONSOCKET, RI 02895
(401) 767-4660
YOUR CHOICE OF NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINING SCHOOL
15 BROOM ST
PROVIDENCE, RI 02905
(401) 439-3176