Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get started with a career in the medical field? There could be many things that you are thinking could hold you back like time or money, but that does not have to be the case when you choose to become a CNA in South Dakota. So many people just do not realize how quickly they could become a certified nursing assistant and how soon they could be starting their dream career. In the case of becoming a CNA, you could have your work complete and you could be certified for a new job after just 15 weeks of CNA training. That means you could start your career in just under four months after signing up for CNA classes in South Dakota. Imagine that!

In South Dakota, you will find that getting your CNA certification can certainly pay off. You could begin your new job making around $25,000 according to glassdoor.com, and the average certified nurse aide makes around $31,000. That is certainly the kind of compensation you would want to find! When you consider the fact that it will only cost you between $800 and $1,000 to complete the CNA training programs, you will find this career financially rewarding from the beginning.

What if I Can’t Afford CNA Classes?

For some, even a thousand dollars is more than they can afford, especially when the cost of living seems to go up every day. Do not worry. This does not have to be the end of the line for your dreams of becoming a certified nursing aide. There are many ways you could make things more affordable when looking for CNA classes in South Dakota.

Start by looking for approved South Dakota CNA training programs that offer lower tuition. Each school will have a different tuition range and you could find some that charge less than a thousand. Next, look for jobs that help pay for your school. When you agree to work for them for a set amount of time, they will pay for your CNA classes in part or completely. This way, you can afford to get your CNA training and certification and you will have a guaranteed job waiting when the work is complete.

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The CNA Certification Process

There is a certain process that you will need to go through in order to get your CNA certification in South Dakota. This process will include the following steps:

  • Must be at least the age of 18 with a GED. No high school diploma required.
  • CNA school and at least 75 hours of nurse aide training. This will include both specific CNA classes and clinicals. Be sure to choose an accredited school so that your hours will count. All classes and clinicals must be passed. You can find approved CNA programs by clicking here.
  • The certified nurse aide competency exam. You will find that this test includes two parts: written and clinical. You must pass both. If you do not pass the exam, you can take it up to three times before you must repeat CNA classes. You can find out how to schedule the exam by clicking here.
  • Pass a background check with the state of South Dakota and the federal government.
  • Have your fingerprints registered with the state and federal government.
  • Show a negative TB test and provide immunizations records.
  • Have your name placed on the South Dakota certified nurse aide registry. You can find this registry here. Keep in mind that you will need to renew your registry entry every two years to keep an active CNA certification. If your certification becomes inactive, you will need to retake the exam before you can begin working again.

When you want to get started in a medical career, there is nothing holding you back. With just a few short months of work, you can get your CNA certification in South Dakota. This will allow you to embark on a new and exciting career path that is rewarding in more ways than one. You will be happy that you made the decision to become a certified nursing assistant in the state.

CNA Job and Salary Data for South Dakota Cities

Urban Area Employed CNA’s Hourly Mean Wage Salary Range 10% – 90%* CNA Employment Per 1,000 Jobs
Rapid City 840 $12.55 $9.80 – $16.71 13.01
Sioux Falls 2,070 $12.09 $9.61 – $14.74 14.10
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