CNA Certification Programs South Dakota
In South Dakota, the South Dakota Board of Nursing regulates the registration of qualified CNAs (or Certified Nursing Aide). The basic requirements for a person to be qualified to undergo CNA classes in South Dakota is that they must pass a physical exam to ensure proper health, and a background check to ensure character. South Dakota seeks to have honest, good people, working as CNAs, since they are the front lines of the medical field. CNAs work directly with patients in order to provide care in the ways in which the patients can’t care for themselves. CNAs also administer medications, communicate concerns about patient health with the nurses and doctors on staff. Compassion is one of the number one qualities which a good CNA possesses.
South Dakota CNA Classes and Training
If a person in South Dakota is able to pass the physical and background check, they may enroll in a SD CNA training program which is designed to prepare a person to pass the state CNA assessment test. The state of South Dakota requires a person to undergo their CNA classes through a South Dakota approved training program. This program needs to have a minimum of 75 hours of instruction to meet the state requirements set forth by the South Dakota Board of Nursing. 16 of the course hours must be completed as clinical practice hours. These are hours which are spent in a South Dakota medical center or nursing home in order to gain practice in the CNA skills necessary for working as one. Once training is complete, a student needs to then register to take a CNA exam. The exam needs to be passed in order to be properly registered as a CNA. The first part of the examination needs to be passed with a minimum score of a 70%. This is the multiple choice part of the test. The second part, the practical skills test, needs to be passed with a minimum score of an 80%.
After passing the test and training, a South Dakota CNA student then applies to be registered with the state nursing board. Once a candidate appears on this CNA registry they may go on to apply for employment as a CNA within the state of South Dakota. The employer uses the database to search for credentials. This is the standard procedure in almost every state across the country.
CNA Jobs in Sioux Falls SD
Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s largest city, and naturally has the highest amount of jobs for Certified Nursing Assistants. According to 2014 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 2,180 CNA jobs in Sioux Falls, SD. The second highest concentration of CNA jobs in South Dakota is in the Eastern South Dakota nonmetropolitan area, which holds approximately 2,200 jobs. Rapid City is South Dakota’s second largest city, but only holds around 790 CNA jobs, a significantly smaller CNA job to population ratio than Sioux Falls SD.
For additional information regarding CNA classes in South Dakota, or for further guidance on CNA training in SD, the information at below may be used for state residents:
South Dakota Board of Nursing
4305 South Louise Avenue
Suite 201
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57106-3115
Phone: (605)362-2760
Website: doh.sd.gov