There are two words to sum up the career outlook for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) – in demand. The growing senior population coupled with a high turnover rate in the industry contribute to an almost 20 percent increase in CNA jobs between the years 2010 and 2020. Nurse assistant training programs equip students for the demanding role. New Mexico’s Department of Health requires nurse aide students to complete a minimum 75 hours of didactic and clinical training before taking the state’s nurse aide competency exam administered by Prometric.
Certified nurse assistants work in hospitals or assisted living facilities. Their duties vary based on the work environment. For instance, hospital CNAs assist patients with personal care and activities of daily living while nurse aides at assisted living facilities provide care for geriatric patients who need round-the-clock care. Some of their primary duties include taking vital signs, stocking supplies, feeding patients, assisting with exercise activities and emptying catheter bags.
Central New Mexico Community College
The School of Health, Wellness, and Public Safety at Central New Mexico Community College facilitates a 7-credit Nurse Assistant Certificate program. Students must complete the Clinical Preparation class prior to the clinical part of the program. The Clinical Prep course covers First Aid, CPR, Blood Borne Pathogen and HIPAA. During the 6-credit nurse assistant class, students cover topics such as communication and clinical math skills, anatomy, physiology, vital signs, personal care, restorative care skills, and body mechanics. A clinical component of the program gives students an opportunity to practice basic patient care in a long-term care setting. The curriculum covers a total of 155 hours; theory (60 hours), lab (45 hours), and clinical (45 hours). Graduates are eligible to take the state exam.
Admission criteria:
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Complete the health requirements – TB clearance, hepatitis B, varicella, influenza
- Submit an application for admission
- Complete a satisfactory drug screen
- Must have valid CPR certification
Tuition for the program is $392.
- Website: http://www.cnm.edu/programs-of-study/all-programs-a-z/nursing-assistant
- Address: 525 Buena Vista Se, Albuquerque, NM 87106
- Phone: (505) 224-3000
Albuquerque Public Schools (Career Enrichment Center)
The Career Enrichment Center of Albuquerque Public Schools facilitates a one-semester nurse assistant training program. The course is specifically targeted to high school students who would like to explore career enrichment options while attending high school. Apart from classroom sessions, students must participate in off-site patient care at an assisted living facility. Course content includes basic nursing skills, basic anatomy and physiology, CPR, disease process, infection control, vital signs, and caring for persons with specialized needs. Facilitators also prepare students for the state nurse assistant certification exam. Classes meet Monday to Friday from 9:45 to 11:45 AM.
Admission criteria:
- Must be Junior or Senior in high school
- Must pass Health 1001 at CNM
- Pass the Accuplacer exam
The training is free, but students must pay $250 in lab fees that cover uniforms, stethoscope, background check, drug screen, and classroom supplies. The student must have reliable transportation to the clinical site.
- Website: http://cec.aps.edu/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1389426240973
- Address: 807 Mountain Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Phone: (505) 247-3658
- Fax: (505) 848-9421
Pima Medical Institute
Students complete nurse assistant training at Pima Medical Institute in just 6 weeks. The class is 4.5 credits or 130 hours of classroom and clinical training. The 52.5 hours in the classroom will help students learn the role and responsibilities of nurse assistants, law and ethics, basic nursing skills, feeding and nutrition, transferring patients, safety and emergency procedures, law and ethics. During 37.5 hours of skills lab, course facilitators take students through a list of competency skills in the lab. A 40-hour clinical externship in a skilled nursing facility provides further opportunities for exercising key skills as nurse aide students work with licensed nurses and trained CNAs to care for patients at the facility.
Admission criteria:
- Submit an application to PIMA
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass complete a DPS level 1 clearance
- Provide proof of immunity – MMR, Varicella, negative TB test, Hepatitis B, influenza
- Must have current CPR/BLS through the AHA
- The urine drug screen
The cost estimate of the program is $2,571. It includes tuition, registration fee, textbooks, stethoscope, uniform, gait belt, shoes, watch, certification exam, DPS level I clearance care, and urine drug screen.
- Website: https://pmi.edu/Programs/Certificate/Nursing-Assistant-Nurse-Aide
- Address: 4400 Cutler Ave N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
Universal Care Home Health Agency, Inc.
The nursing assistant program at Universal Care Home Health Agency is an intensive course designed to prepare the student in the role of the nurse aide. Classroom theory cover the role of the nurse aide in long-term care, communicating effectively, death and dying, respecting the rights of patients, resident confidentiality, and measuring vital signs. Personal care skills is an essential part of the training and will give students the skills to assist residents of the activities of daily living. These skills include oral care, bathing the resident, nail care, perinea care, dressing, hygiene, cleanliness, nutrition, and hydration. Other basic nursing skills are measuring intake and output, infection control measures, safety and emergency, data collection, and reporting to the Charge Nurse.
Admission criteria:
- Submit an application for admission
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass complete a DPS level 1 clearance
- Provide proof of immunity – MMR, Varicella, negative TB test, Hepatitis B, influenza
- Must have current CPR/BLS through the AHA
- The urine drug screen
Tuition for the program costs $860.
- Website: https://www.universalcarehomehealthagency.com/nurse-aide-program.html
- Address: 2617 Juan Tabo Boulevard NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87112
- Phone: (505) 990-1958
New Mexico University – Los Alamos
The nursing assistant program at UNM includes theory and hands-on instruction to equip students with the skills to care for residents in long-term care. Students will learn how to administer CPR and first aid, measure and record input and output, monitor vital signs, move a patient from the bed to wheelchair, perform range of motion exercises, and manage tubes such as ostomy and catheter. Other areas of study include anatomy and physiology, fall prevention, infection prevention, hospice and hospital care, human development and aging, and common chronic or acute conditions. Program graduates will receive a UNM-LA certificate and be eligible to test for certification through Prometric. Students are expected to complete the required 8 credit hours in one semester.
Admission criteria:
- Submit an application for admission
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass complete a DPS level 1 clearance
- Provide proof of immunity – MMR, Varicella, negative TB test, Hepatitis B, influenza
- Must have current CPR/BLS through the AHA
- The urine drug screen
The cost of the program is $1,067 and covers tuition and fees.
- Website: https://losalamos.unm.edu/degrees-certificates/certificates/certified-nursing-assistant.html
- Address: 4000 University Drive, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544
- Phone: (505) 662-5919
- Fax: (505) 662-0344
The following is a list of Board-approved nursing homes that may provide free or low-cost nurse assistant training in Albuquerque, NM:
Manzano Del Sol
5201 Roma Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 262-2311
Princeton Place
500 Louisiana Blvd Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 255-1717