Become a CNA in Indiana
Premier Nursing Academy has revolutionized the traditional educational model. While we no longer have campuses located in Indiana, we are dedicated to providing information to help prospective students across the country to become CNAs and begin a rewarding career in healthcare.
Benefits to Becoming a CNA in Indiana
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are part of a group of healthcare workers in high demand across the state. According to the Times of Northwest Indiana, certified nursing assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses are the hardest jobs to fill in Indiana’s healthcare industry. CNAs and related job openings are expected to grow 13.5 percent over a five-year period in just a single region in Indiana alone.
The demand for skilled healthcare workers in the state prompted Indiana economic development expert Don Babcock to say, “There are really good-paying jobs out there if you want to gain some skills and improve your value proposition as an individual.” With its positive career outlook, a reasonable cost of living, and famous “Hoosier hospitality,” Indiana is an ideal place to launch your career as a CNA.
You can position yourself for employment and future career growth in the healthcare profession more quickly and easily than you may think.
CNA Certification in Indiana
To work as a CNA in Indiana you need to be certified (hence the title, “certified nursing assistant”). The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) sets the requirements for certification.
Indiana CNA Requirements for Certification
You will need to complete the following steps to become certified in Indiana:
STEP 1: Complete a state-approved training program
Training programs consist of at least 105 hours, which includes 30 or more hours of traditional classroom instruction and at least 75 hours of clinical instruction.
Each lesson includes a lecture component and a clinical experience. Examples of lessons include:
- Introduction to the Role of Nurse Aide
- Resident Rights
- Activities of Daily Living (five lessons with different focuses such as grooming and nutrition)
- Infection Control
- Medical Concerns/Emergency Procedures
- Mental Health, Depression, and Social Needs
- Common Diseases and Disorders—Nervous, Circulatory, and Musculoskeletal Systems
For a complete description of lessons and procedures in the curriculum, refer to the Indiana Nurse Aide Curriculum.
STEP 2: Pass the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation and Medication Aide Final Examination
This exam consists of two parts: written and skills competency evaluation. The written test has 100 multiple-choice questions. The test takes 90 minutes to finish, and you can only miss 20 questions to pass this section of the test. The skills evaluation requires you to complete a given number of skills in a specific amount of time—usually about 30 minutes to finish five skills. Questions and skill evaluations cover areas such as:
- Role and responsibilities of the CNA
- Activities of daily living/basic nursing skills
- Common diseases and disorders
- Safety and emergencies
- Infection Control
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Rights and preferences
You must take the exam within two years of having completed your training program. You have three chances to pass the exam.
Entry Requirements for CNA Programs in Indiana
Check out our Admissions Requirements page to learn more about entrance requirements. To take the CNA exam, you need to present a valid I.D. Note that most employers may have their own requirements, including being a minimum age and completing background checks.
CNA Salary and Career Outlook
CNAs, in particular, have a higher share of employment in Indiana than the average of all other occupations. Job growth for CNAs in Indiana as a whole is 11%, which is much faster than the national average.
Median Salary | Top 10% |
$26,360/year | $33,470/year |
$12.67/hour | $16.09/hour |
This positive career outlook is just one of the reasons to become a CNA in Indiana. Livability.com touts Fort Wayne, in particular, as one of the top 100 places to live in the U.S. It combines a cultural metropolis with midwestern charm, and features a host of recreational activities. If that doesn’t convince you—Fort Wayne is considered the “City of Restaurants” and is home to some of the best food trucks in the nation!
Regulatory Approvals