CNA Classes in Owanka, South Dakota

Owanka CNA Training - South Dakota

You can receive your CNA certification in as little as 3 to 8 weeks.

Admissions Advisor Tip: Don't limit your options. Contact multiple schools to to compare their different offers, like financial aid packages.

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Owanka, SD

If you’re considering a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or similar roles like nurse aide or nursing assistant in Owanka, South Dakota, you’re on the right path. CNAs are crucial members of the healthcare team, providing essential care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. This guide will help you understand how to become a CNA in Owanka, SD, and where to find local CNA training programs.

About Owanka

Owanka is a small, unincorporated community located in Pennington County, South Dakota. While it may not be a bustling metropolis, Owanka offers a peaceful, rural lifestyle that many find appealing. For more information about Pennington County and nearby areas, you can visit the official Pennington County website. Owanka’s proximity to larger cities like Rapid City provides residents with access to more educational and employment opportunities, making it an ideal location for those looking to pursue a career in healthcare.

CNA Training Programs in Owanka, SD

While Owanka itself may not have local CNA programs due to its small size, nearby cities like Rapid City offer several excellent options for aspiring nursing assistants. Here are three schools in the region where you can enroll in CNA courses:

1. Western Dakota Technical College (Rapid City, SD)
   • Program: Western Dakota Tech offers a comprehensive CNA program that prepares students for the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry exam. The program includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.
   • Location: Rapid City, SD (approximately 40 miles from Owanka)
   • More Info: Western Dakota Tech CNA Program
2. South Dakota State University – West River Nursing Program (Rapid City, SD)
   • Program: Although primarily known for its nursing programs, SDSU’s West River campus offers CNA training courses designed to help students meet the certification requirements for South Dakota.
   • Location: Rapid City, SD
   • More Info: SDSU West River Nursing Program
3. Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village (Rapid City, SD)
   • Program: This long-term care facility offers CNA training as part of its workforce development program. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the state certification exam.
   • Location: Rapid City, SD
   • More Info: Good Samaritan Society CNA Program

CNA Employment Opportunities in Owanka

Once you’ve completed your CNA training, there are several healthcare facilities in and around Owanka where you can seek employment. Here are a few of the major employers in the region:

1. Monument Health Rapid City Hospital
   • Location: Rapid City, SD (approximately 40 miles from Owanka)
   • About: Monument Health is the largest healthcare provider in western South Dakota. The Rapid City Hospital offers a wide range of services and is a major employer for CNAs in the area.
   • More Info: Monument Health Careers
2. Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village
   • Location: Rapid City, SD
   • About: This senior care facility provides assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services. They frequently hire CNAs to assist with patient care.
   • More Info: Good Samaritan Society Careers
3. Avantara Mountain View
   • Location: Rapid City, SD
   • About: Avantara Mountain View is a skilled nursing facility that offers rehabilitation and long-term care services. CNAs play a vital role in patient care at this facility.
   • More Info: Avantara Mountain View Careers

CNA Certification Requirements in South Dakota

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant in South Dakota, you must meet specific state requirements. These include:

1. Complete a State-Approved CNA Training Program: You must complete a CNA training program approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing. The program typically includes a minimum of 75 hours of training, with both classroom and clinical components.

2. Pass the South Dakota Nurse Aide Competency Exam: After completing your training, you must pass the South Dakota Nurse Aide Competency Exam, which includes both a written and a skills test. This exam is administered by the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

3. Register with the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry: Once you pass the exam, you will be added to the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry, allowing you to work as a CNA in the state.

For more information on certification requirements, visit the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

Get Started Today

If you’re ready to take the first step toward a rewarding career as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Owanka, SD, now is the time to act. Contact one of the schools listed above to learn more about their CNA programs, or explore employment opportunities at local healthcare facilities. With the right training and certification, you can begin making a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

PCT · CNA · CMA – What’s the Difference?

This depends on where you live. Some PCT courses include EKG and phlebotomy training. Some Patient Care Technician programs also include HHA (Home Health Aid) certification. However, in some work environments the titles CNA and PCT are used interchangably. Some hospitals in South Dakota may be hiring Nurse Care Techs (NCT), a position which you can apply for with your CNA license.

CMA can stand for Certified Medication Aide or Certified Medical Assistant, both which perform separate but overlapping duties in the workplace.

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Owanka?

Nursing assistant courses at vocational colleges and allied health schools usually range between $400 and $1200. When choosing a CNA school, learn about all the associated costs required at each institution. Some schools list their program cost as all expenses included. However other schools may also require you to purchase additional materials (such as books, scrubs and materials for your clinicals) which have separate fees from the tuition costs.

CNA Refresher Courses around Owanka usually cost around $100-$200.

Need Tuition Assistance?

While not all schools offer financial aid for students enrolled in their CNA course, some training programs may offer assistance to help with the cost of the course or certification. Also, some CNA employers will even pay for your Nurse Assistant training or reimburse you after you successfully complete your CNA training.

Some employers in Owanka will cover a percentage of your CNA tuition; others will pay tuition costs up to a specific dollar amount. Often, new CNAs are required to work a particular number of months at the employer that covered their school bills. Or you may just need to reimburse them for any of the tuition costs they paid on your behalf.

When Can I Start CNA Training in Owanka?

Many schools that offer CNA training have new sessions beginning every 6 to 8 weeks. In many areas in South Dakota, you can find CNA training starting in November 2024, December 2024, January 2025, or February 2025 available for registration now. Unlike nursing programs in South Dakota, you can usually find a school starting a new session of their CNA course fairly quickly. However, some schools offer CNA classes in semester format. At these schools, you may need to wait up 3 or 4 months to start your course.

Becoming a Nurse Aide in Owanka is a great way to quickly gain experience in the medical field. Also check out South Dakota CNA Salary info.