Key Points
- Lake Region State College offers an $895, 80-hour in-person CNA program.
- Nursing assistant jobs in North Dakota are projected to grow 10.4% by 2030.
- North Dakota requires 75 training hours for CNA certification.
Your Guide to CNA Training in Devils Lake, North Dakota
Explore CNA training options in Devils Lake: compare programs, costs, and job opportunities to launch your healthcare career.
Your Guide to CNA Training in Devils Lake, ND
CNA training in Devils Lake costs under $900 at the local community college and takes about four weeks of full-time study. Yet major employers like Eventide Devils Lake Care Center and CHI St. Alexius Health consistently post openings for certified nursing assistants. That low barrier to entry and steady employer demand creates a practical starting point in healthcare.
North Dakota projects 10.4% growth in nursing assistant jobs this decade, with starting hourly wages around $16 to $18. The programs that lead to these roles, ranked by affordability and outcomes, are listed below. Jump straight to the program list.
CNA Employers and Demand in Devils Lake, ND
Which facilities in Devils Lake are hiring CNAs, and what does the job market look like for new nursing assistants in this area?
Healthcare Facilities in the Devils Lake Region
Devils Lake serves as a regional healthcare hub for the Lake Region of North Dakota, which means opportunities for CNAs extend across several types of employers. The area includes a community hospital, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and home health agencies. These facilities regularly need certified nursing assistants to provide direct patient care, assist residents with daily activities, and support nursing staff.
Find current CNA hiring facilities through the North Dakota Department of Health's facility directory or the state's nursing home and home health agency listings. These resources update regularly and help identify hiring employers.
Understanding Local Demand Trends
Healthcare workforce demand in rural North Dakota communities like Devils Lake often remains steady due to an aging population and ongoing staffing needs in long-term care settings. For state-specific employment numbers and trends, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) North Dakota data. Projections Central provides regional healthcare job outlooks that show where CNA positions are expected to grow.
Local Resources for Job Placement Information
If you want specifics on how graduates fare in the local job market, consider contacting Lake Region State College's nursing program directly to learn how to become a CNA. Many training programs maintain employer partnerships and track job placement rates for their completers. The Devils Lake School District may also have information if they offer or coordinate CNA training.
For broader industry insights, the North Dakota Health Care Association and the state chapter of LeadingAge publish workforce demand surveys and reports focused on long-term care facilities. These organizations can provide context on hiring trends and staffing challenges in the region.
What This Means for Prospective CNAs
Devils Lake's role as a regional healthcare center, combined with statewide demand for nursing assistants, suggests that trained CNAs should find multiple employment options in the area. Connecting with local training programs and industry associations is the best way to get current, reliable information on how to get a CNA job and what opportunities are available.
Online and Hybrid CNA Program Options for Devils Lake Students
CNA training has traditionally been an entirely in-person experience, and for good reason: you need hands-on practice with patient care skills before you can work in a clinical setting. That said, some CNA classes in North Dakota now offer hybrid formats that let you complete a significant portion of your coursework online while still meeting the state's requirements for supervised skills practice and clinical hours.
Lake Region State College Hybrid CNA Program
Lake Region State College, located right in Devils Lake, offers a hybrid CNA program that is a strong fit for students who need scheduling flexibility.1 The program totals 75 hours and runs over about four weeks. Here is how the hours break down:
- Online coursework: 43 hours of theory delivered through Blackboard, covering topics like infection control, patient rights, nutrition, and basic nursing skills concepts.
- Skills lab: 16 hours completed over two full days (eight hours each), where you practice hands-on techniques such as vital signs, transfers, and personal care.
- Clinical rotation: 16 hours completed over two additional full days at a local healthcare facility.
In total, you will need to be present in person for just four days during the program. Those in-person sessions are held in Devils Lake or Grand Forks, so you can choose the location that works best for you. The rest of your learning happens on your own schedule through the online platform.
Online Theory-Only Option
Lake Region State College also offers an online theory-only CNA course.2 This 43-hour, four-week course covers the same classroom content as the hybrid program but does not include a skills lab or clinical rotation. It is designed for students who plan to complete their hands-on training through an employer, such as a nursing home or hospital that provides on-the-job skills instruction as part of a hiring or apprenticeship arrangement. If you already have a job lined up at a facility willing to train you on clinical skills, this option lets you knock out the academic portion independently.
Is a Fully Online CNA Program Possible?
No accredited CNA program in North Dakota can be completed entirely online. The state requires supervised, in-person skills practice and clinical hours before you can sit for the certification exam. Any program advertising a fully online path to certification should be viewed with skepticism. The hybrid format at Lake Region State College is the closest you will get, and it still requires those four critical in-person days to ensure you are competent and confident in patient care before entering the workforce.
If flexibility is your top priority, the hybrid program is an excellent middle ground. You handle the reading, quizzes, and theory modules from home, then dedicate four focused days to building real skills under qualified instructors.
In-Person CNA Classes in Devils Lake: Costs, Duration, and Admissions
At $895 total, the Lake Region State College (LRSC) Nursing Assistant Specialist program is the primary in-person CNA training option in Devils Lake. The course runs 80 hours, meets North Dakota Department of Health approval, and includes 16 hours of supervised clinical work at a local care facility.1
What Tuition Covers at Lake Region State College
The $895 program fee at LRSC generally covers instruction, the required textbook, skills-lab materials, and the state competency exam. Students should budget separately for scrubs (typically $30 to $60), a watch with a second hand, a stethoscope if required by the clinical site, and any immunization updates or TB testing needed before clinical rotations. LRSC classifies the course as non-credit, which means it does not count toward a degree on its own but does deliver the same state-approved training required for certification.
Financial Aid and Paid Training Pathways
Because the program is non-credit, standard federal Pell Grants do not apply. However, LRSC students may qualify for tuition assistance through:1
- WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act): Covers training costs for eligible dislocated or low-income workers.
- Job Service North Dakota: Can connect residents to workforce training funds and re-employment programs.
- Employer sponsorship: Many long-term care and assisted-living employers in the Devils Lake area, including facilities like Eventide, hire nursing assistant trainees and reimburse or pre-pay tuition in exchange for a short work commitment. Ask any prospective employer about earn-while-you-learn options before you pay out of pocket.
Admission Requirements
LRSC keeps entry requirements straightforward:
- Minimum age: 15 years old1, which is unusually accessible and lets high school students get a jump on healthcare careers.
- Background check: Required before clinical placement, per North Dakota rules.1
- Health documentation: Current immunizations and TB screening prior to clinicals.
- ESL assessment: Recommended for students whose first language is not English, to ensure success with medical terminology and patient communication.
- High school diploma or GED: Not strictly required for the course itself, but strongly recommended for employment afterward.
How to Apply and When Classes Start
Contact LRSC's Workforce Training office directly to request the current schedule, confirm seat availability, and receive the registration packet. Cohorts are small and fill quickly, so applying four to six weeks ahead of your target start date is wise. Once registered, plan for roughly four to six weeks of coursework, followed by the state competency exam.
CNA Salary and Job Outlook in Devils Lake
While Devils Lake-specific CNA wage data is not published separately, the following figures provide context using state, national, and local employer information. Sources include the North Dakota Job Service, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Indeed.
Nursing assistant jobs in North Dakota are projected to grow 10.4% between 2020 and 2030, signaling steady demand for new CNAs. (North Dakota Job Service projections, as reported by KXNet).
How to Get CNA Certified in North Dakota
North Dakota requires a minimum of 75 training hours1, including at least 16 hours of hands-on clinical practice2, before you can sit for the state certification exam. That combination of classroom learning and real-world patient care is not just a formality. It is the foundation regulators and employers both rely on.
Complete an Approved Training Program
Every program you attend must hold approval from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Health Facilities Unit. That approval signals the curriculum meets state standards. When you are comparing options in and around Devils Lake, confirm this status before enrolling. Neither tuition paid nor hours completed will count toward certification if the program lacks current approval.
Pass the Two-Part Competency Exam
The state exam is currently administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (also known as Headmaster)3. It has two parts:
- Written knowledge test: 72 questions2, with a passing score of 75%2.
- Skills evaluation: You will demonstrate 3 to 5 randomly selected nursing skills3 in front of an evaluator.
Testing sites are concentrated in larger North Dakota cities such as Fargo and Grand Forks, where you can find CNA classes in Fargo. Devils Lake residents should confirm current local availability directly with D&S Diversified Technologies, since testing schedules and site locations can shift. The initial exam fee runs between $220 and $2854. If you need to retest, retaking the knowledge portion alone costs $1104, and retaking the skills evaluation costs $1604. You have three attempts within a six-month window from your program completion date5.
When researching programs, ask about their exam pass rates. A high first-attempt pass rate is one of the clearest indicators that a program prepares students well. If you are considering Lake Region State College or Eventide as your training provider, contact them directly to request current pass-rate figures.
Background Check and Registry Listing
Before or alongside your exam application, expect to complete a background check. The fee is $402. Once you pass both exam parts and clear the background check, your name is added to the North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry at no cost. Registry placement is what makes you employable as a CNA in the state.
Your listing must be renewed every two years, and you will need to document at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work during that period to stay active. Renewal carries no fee.
A Word on Reciprocity
If you later relocate to another state, your North Dakota certification is not automatically void. Most states participate in a reciprocity process5 that lets you transfer your active registry status without retaking the full exam. Requirements vary by state, so check with the destination state's nurse aide registry early in your move planning. Having an unblemished registry record in North Dakota makes that process considerably smoother.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Are you looking for a traditional classroom experience, or would a hybrid format with online lectures fit your schedule better?
Hybrid CNA programs in Devils Lake let you complete theory work online and attend in-person labs on a flexible schedule. This can be a better fit if you are working or caring for family while training.
Have you budgeted for the total cost of training, including hidden fees like scrubs and the certification exam?
CNA program tuition in Devils Lake is often affordable, but extra expenses for uniforms, textbooks, immunizations, and the state exam can surprise you if you are not prepared. Knowing the full cost upfront helps you avoid delays.
Does the program offer job placement assistance or connections to local employers after you graduate?
Devils Lake healthcare employers like nursing homes and clinics often recruit directly from local training programs. A school that provides career support can speed up your job search and connect you to openings you might miss on your own.
Top CNA Programs for Devils Lake Students (Ranked)
This ranked list identifies the top CNA programs available to Devils Lake residents. Programs are evaluated on a mix of affordability, student outcomes, and local relevance. Each entry below details tuition, program length, delivery mode, and standout features to guide your decision.
Factors considered
- Affordability and tuition costs
- Graduation and exam pass rates
- Program length and format flexibility
- Local clinical and employer partnerships
Data sources
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent program research
Lake Region State College
#1Devils Lake, ND · $14,000/yr
Best for: Local residents needing hands-on clinicals in Devils Lake
Lake Region State College in Devils Lake is the go-to choice for local students, offering both campus and hybrid CNA training right in town. The program features hands-on labs at the Bergstrom Technical Center and clinical rotations at Eventide Heartland Care Center, forging strong ties with area employers. Recent data shows a 100% first-time pass rate on the nurse aide competency exam, underscoring the program's quality and preparation.
- 75-80 hour state-approved training with hybrid and campus formats
- Hybrid includes 4 weeks of online theory, then lab and clinical days in Devils Lake
- Campus-based classes held at Bergstrom Technical Center, Devils Lake
- Clinical placements at Eventide Heartland Care Center and other local facilities
- Prepares for North Dakota state certification exam (separate $250 fee)
- Flexible start dates and customized training for employer groups
- WIOA funding and employer reimbursement often available to cover costs
- Experienced RN instructors teach infection control, personal care, vital signs
North Dakota State College of Science
#2Wahpeton, ND · $6,000 – $7,000/yr
Best for: Hybrid learners wanting self-paced online theory
North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton delivers a flexible, high-quality CNA program through its Workforce Affairs division. Students can choose hybrid or self-paced online learning, with hands-on skills sessions scheduled conveniently. Affordable tuition and scholarship options make it accessible for Devils Lake residents willing to travel or arrange local clinical placements.
- 75-hour ND Department of Health approved program through Workforce Affairs
- Choose hybrid or self-paced online formats with Blackboard/Zoom
- 16 hours of hands-on skills training at NDSCS campus or arranged sites
- Course fees $650-$750, plus $250 certification exam; scholarships available
- Covers resident rights, emergency response, medical terminology, infection control
- Requires 100% attendance and 75% passing score on assessments
- Prepares for state certification exam; eligible for nursing home employment
- Self-paced option fits around work and family schedules
Bismarck State College
#3Bismarck, ND · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Best for: Evening students seeking monthly start dates
Bismarck State College provides a cost-effective CNA program with monthly evening classes, ideal for students who need a predictable schedule. The hybrid online theory option adds flexibility, while clinicals in Bismarck-area facilities offer solid hands-on experience. Although located farther from Devils Lake, BSC's low tuition and frequent start dates appeal to those who can commute or temporarily relocate.
- 76-hour program combining classroom, lab, and clinical components
- Non-credit cost $689; for-credit enrollment also available
- Monthly evening classes in Bismarck, Monday-Friday 6-10 p.m.
- Hybrid online theory option with on-campus skills sessions
- Clinical practice in local nursing facilities; lift 50 lbs required
- TB test and physical prerequisites; priority enrollment for veterans
- Prepares for state CNA exam; employment in long-term care, acute care
- ESL support and self-paced online theory for non-native speakers
Williston State College
#4Williston, ND · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
Williston State College's blended CNA program combines online self-paced learning with an intensive two-week lab and clinical session in Williston. This structure suits students who can complete theory on their own time and then immerse in hands-on training. While the commute from Devils Lake is significant, the quarterly start dates and comprehensive preparation are attractive for those seeking a fast-paced, concentrated experience.
- Blended program: online self-paced theory, then 2-week in-person lab/clinical
- Total cost $1,200, plus $200 state testing fee; quarterly start dates
- 28 hours lab and 24 hours clinical at TrainND Northwest and local facilities
- Self-paced online starts every 3 months; HIPAA exam prerequisite
- Prepares for skilled care and home health settings; scrubs required
- Certificate of Completion upon finishing all sections
- State-approved training leading to certification exam eligibility
- Focus on immediate workforce entry in high-demand healthcare roles
Valley City State University
#5Valley City, ND · $12,000/yr (net price)
Valley City State University offers a campus-based CNA course as part of its academic catalog, granting 2 credits toward a degree. The program's integration with university resources and multiple semester offerings provide a structured pathway for students who may continue their education in nursing or other health fields. The small class sizes and supportive environment are a draw, though the commute from Devils Lake is a consideration.
- Campus-based 2-credit course preparing for CNA certification
- Combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical practice
- Offered multiple semesters; no entrance exam required
- Graduates eligible for state certification and immediate employment
- Focus on skills for skilled nursing facilities, acute care, home health
- Affordable tuition as part of VCSU's academic offerings
- Small class sizes with personalized instruction and support
- Emphasis on practical patient care and safety protocols
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
#6New Town, ND · ~$10,000/yr (est.)
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, located in New Town, serves primarily tribal students through its NACTEP Cohort CNA program. The 8-week training includes generous financial support like childcare and mileage assistance, making it a viable option for eligible Native American students from the Devils Lake region. The program's focus on high-demand job skills and personalized support helps graduates enter the workforce quickly.
- 8-week campus-based program through NACTEP Cohort for tribal students
- Tuition $900/semester; books and fees $250/semester
- Eligible students receive $250/month childcare, $218/mileage, $480/month stipend
- Supply packs and career preparation support included
- Requires tribal ID and current class schedule; advocacy services provided
- Prepares for entry-level healthcare roles in North Dakota
- High-demand job focus with technical assistance and deadline reminders
- Hands-on training with on-campus support and off-campus referrals
Your first step to a CNA career is passing the state exam. Choose a program that prepares you well, and that track record of high pass rates matters more than any other factor when making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Classes in Devils Lake
Here are answers to the most common questions about CNA classes in Devils Lake, ND, covering program costs, duration, online availability, and employment opportunities.
The Lake Region State College CNA program listing shows a cost of $800, which covers tuition and fees. Some employers, like Eventide, may offer paid training or reimbursement1, so ask about those opportunities.
The CNA training course at Lake Region State College includes 16 hours of clinical experience within its 80-hour program. This meets North Dakota's minimum requirement of 75 training hours2. Most students complete the course in a few weeks, depending on the class schedule. Once you pass the state exam, you can start working as a CNA.
Currently, the primary program, Lake Region State College, delivers instruction face-to-face on campus. Fully online CNA training is not available in Devils Lake because hands-on clinical practice is essential. However, some schools elsewhere in North Dakota offer hybrid programs with online theory and in-person labs, so you might consider commuting if you need flexibility.
At Lake Region State College, you must be at least 15 years old. All North Dakota CNA trainees undergo a criminal background check2. Additional requirements typically include a high school diploma or GED, current immunizations, and a negative TB test. Contact the program directly for a complete list of prerequisites before enrolling.
CNAs in Devils Lake find work at nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Eventide, one of the local healthcare providers, often hires CNAs. With an average hourly wage of $221, the role offers stable employment and a pathway to further nursing careers, like LPN or RN.
Yes, Lake Region State College runs a CNA program at the Bergstrom Technical Center on campus. It's an 80-hour, face-to-face course costing $800. The curriculum includes 16 clinical hours and prepares you for the state competency exam. LRSC is a trusted local option for beginning your healthcare journey.
While CNA programs like LRSC's have low tuition, financial aid options may include institutional scholarships, payment plans, or workforce development grants. Some employers, such as Eventide, might sponsor your training in exchange for a work commitment. Check with the program and local workforce agencies for assistance.