Best Online CNA Classes in Nebraska
Earning your certification from the best online CNA classes Nebraska has to offer can jump-start a good career in the healthcare field. Read on to discover more.
Becoming a certified nursing assistant can open the doors to an exciting career or can be the first step toward a career change into the healthcare field. Also known as a certified nurse aide, these professionals work under the supervision of other healthcare providers to offer patients basic care and comfort.
You might be surprised to learn that when it comes to online CNA classes, Nebraska offers certification that can take as little as four weeks. These courses also prepare you for to pass the national examination.
To learn more about what to expect from online CNA classes in Nebraska, read on! We explain what to expect from training, highlight a few programs, and tell you what it takes to earn your credentials to become a certified nursing assistant in Nebraska.
Inside Nebraska’s Standout Online CNA Classes
Online courses have changed the education game. Those who have family and work obligations to juggle can now find the time to earn a credential or even a degree with flexible online courses. But there are so many online CNA options these days that it can be tough to choose the one that’s best for you.
To help you, we’ve highlighted a few online CNA classes in Nebraska that are good examples of what you need in terms of affordability, admission requirements, and learning outcomes. And remember that when you attend one of these programs, you are creating a strong foundation for moving further into allied healthcare in the future, including the opportunity to join a CNA to LPN bridge program.
Bryan College of Health Sciences
The Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln offers several allied health training programs, including the Nurse Aid (CNA) option. This is a four-week course that costs $500, including the training time and the materials necessary, such as books. Attending the first session is mandatory; anyone who doesn’t is immediately removed from the class and will have to reapply for another session.
This non-credit course covers 75 hours, which meets the state and federal requirements. Instead of credit, graduates will receive a certificate of completion. During registration, a background check is required, as is proof of full immunizations. All applicants must be at least 16. It’s possible to begin employment before finishing the program, but the program must be completed within the first 120 days of employment.
While this is an in-person class, Bryan College offers hybrid and online next steps for allied health students including a Simulation Education Certificate, Healthcare Management Certificate, and Health Professions Completion.
Clarkson College
The Nurse Aide Course at Clarkson College is a short-term program that blends online classroom instruction with hands-on training to prepare students to care for patients in the best way possible. It’s considered a non-professional development course, which means that college credit is not awarded at the end of the program.
To qualify, a student must be at least 16, be able to read, write, and understand English, be in good health and able to lift at least 50 pounds, and pass a background check. The course materials, including the book required for study, are included in the tuition fee of $525, which must be paid upon registration.
In addition to preparing to sit for the certification exam, you’ll also earn your basic life support voucher required for certification. You must score at least 80% on all the coursework to pass; in order to join the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry, you’ll also need to score a minimum 70% on the written and skills exams.
Nebraska Methodist College
The Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program at Nebraska Methodist College gives students the opportunity to work directly with patients as they earn their skills and knowledge to sit for the examination. Flexibility is a key highlight of this program, as you can choose from a four-week on-campus program, a six-week hybrid course, or a 16-week study option. The six-week hybrid CNA courses are largely digital, requiring attendees to be on campus once a week for engaging instructional sessions.
At Nebraska Methodist College, students benefit from a heightened focus on geriatric care — recognizing the physiological and psychological facets of aging, as well as steering patients towards holistic well-being at any age.
Students can register within one week of the start date of the program. The program cost is $499, payable upon registration, and includes the textbook, classroom learning, hands-on learning, a CPR class, and the first examination upon graduation.
How to Become a CNA in Nebraska Online
If you’re researching online CNA classes in Nebraska, you’ll first need to know the entire process for meeting state requirements to become certified; for instance, Nebraska requires that you complete the federal mandated 75 hours of training to be able to sit for the exam and earn your credentials. All CNA classes must be approved through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; learn more about Nebraska nurse aide requirements.
Step 1: Meet Basic Background Requirements
Those who take online CNA classes in Nebraska must be at least 16, pass a background check, be able to speak, write, and understanding English, and be able to lift at least 50 pounds in the course of their work. You must also show proof of the immunizations the state requires, including the seasonal flu shot. Passing a physical examination is the final hurdle to meeting the background requirements for this program.
Step 2: Graduate from an Approved CNA Program
Online CNA classes in Nebraska will help you meet your commitment of 75 hours of training. The coursework can be completed online, but the hands-on skills training must be completed under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Courses must be approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in order to allow you to sit for the exam and join the Nurse Aide Registry in the state.
Students must also complete one hour of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation training that is specific to Nebraska law. If you will be working with basic resident care for the developmentally disabled, you don’t have to complete the 75 hours, but you do have to complete 21 hours of a specific basic care course to assist this population.
Some schools and programs might offer financial aid for those who qualify; if you need assistance with paying tuition, contact the program to ask what might be available for you.
Step 3: Take the NNAAP Examination
Taking the NNAAP exam requires graduating from an approved program in the state of Nebraska. In many cases, the test is considered part of program tuition; if not, graduates might be able to receive financial aid to complete their exam. The knowledge test may be oral or written, and the skills test must be taken under the proctoring of licensed healthcare professionals. Those who pass the test can be added to Nebraska’s Nurse Aide Registry.
Students have three attempts to take and pass the examinations. If they don’t pass on the third attempt, they must complete a 75-hour program again.
Step 4: Start Working as a CNA
CNAs in Nebraska can work in a variety of settings, but most find employment in hospitals, long-term facilities, or home healthcare/hospice settings. To stay active on the registry, the Department of Licensure offers a list of approved employer settings. The work a nurse aide does in Nebraska depends upon the setting where they are employed, but their work can include everything from taking vital signs and keeping records to assisting with the activities of daily living (ADLs).
Step 5: Renew Your CNA License Periodically
To remain an active CNA in Nebraska, you must renew your license every 24 months and show that you have worked as a nurse aid during that time. There is no application or fees to renew the license; there are options for CNAs from other states to move into Nebraska and begin work upon filling out an application and passing a background check.
Salary and Career Prospects for CNAs in Nebraska
The growth rate for CNAs in Nebraska lags a bit behind the national average, but keep in mind that much of Nebraska is rural. The state is competing with places that have a much higher demand for CNAs based on their largely urban population, such as New York or Florida. To that end, the growth rate in Nebraska is respectable at 4.3%, with 1,800 annual openings expected through 2030.
The salary for CNAs in Nebraska averages $35,470, which according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a bit below the U.S. median salary of $38,130. Keep in mind that when you’re first starting out, you can expect that your income will be lower than it will be in later years, when you’ve become seasoned and moved up in the field. Interestingly, those who work in the Lincoln area tend to make less than those who reside in Grand Island and Omaha-Council Bluffs. However, the difference in the highest earners is about $4,000 per year, while the difference in the lowest earners is only a few hundred dollars per year. The charts below provide more information on what to expect from job growth and income as a CNA in Nebraska.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $29,440 | $35,470 | $42,430 |
| Grand Island, NE | $29,550 | $35,440 | $42,640 |
| Lincoln, NE | $28,970 | $32,200 | $40,670 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | $29,590 | $35,920 | $44,620 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 115,300 | 8.3% | 187,000 |
| Nebraska | 600 | 4.3% | 1,800 |
Source: Projections Central
Answering Your Questions About Online CNA Classes in Nebraska
The process of taking online CNA classes in Nebraska and subsequently becoming certified is somewhat straightforward, but you might still have questions we haven’t answered above. Here are a few FAQs followed by answers specific to Nebraska.
Are Nebraska CNA classes accredited/approved?
To become certified in the state, you must take online CNA classes in Nebraska that are approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, most community colleges that offer CNA courses are institutionally accredited. Whatever option you choose, make sure your training provider is on the approved list; without approval, you might not be able to sit for the important exam to earn your credentials.
Do online Nebraska CNA programs offer scholarships and/or financial aid?
Some Nebraska certified nurse programs offer financial aid to their students. Some will offer enough aid to cover the full tuition in exchange for the nurse aide agreeing to work for the facility for one year or more. Before you launch into a program, get in touch with the director to ask about these opportunities, and spend time researching any scholarships and financial aid that may be available to you.
How long are CNA programs in Nebraska?
Some CNA programs might last a few months, but many can be completed within four weeks. Remember that you must have 75 hours of training in order to meet the federal and state requirements.
How much does the CNA test cost in Nebraska?
In Nebraska, the cost for the entire test is $100. This includes $50 for the oral or written portion and $50 for the skills portion. These fees are often included in your CNA program tuition.
What are the technical requirements for CNA classes in Nebraska?
If you have a good internet connection and a reliable computer, you can take online CNA classes in Nebraska. If you have trouble finding a computer or internet connection, speak to a representative from your training provider to discuss potential solutions.
What is the average cost of an online CNA course in Nebraska?
This depends upon the school, but most CNA classes in Nebraska tend to cost between $300 and $700, including all books and supplies. Some programs, however, will cost nothing as long as you agree to continue working for a particular employer for one year after graduation or meet certain requirements. Goodwill Omaha, for example, offers free CNA training.
