Nurse Aide Training Programs in Iowa

Are you having a hard time deciding which CNA training program to attend? Some of the most important student requirements when it comes to selecting a nursing assistant course in Iowa include the program cost, duration of training, and quality of education. An affordable and well-structured program is a desirable option for any future nurse aide student. The Eastern Iowa Community College District is committed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today's health care industry. Students may enroll in a variety of certification programs including nurse aide classes, medication aide courses, and rehabilitation aide programs.

The certified nursing assistant class teaches the basics of direct patient care while the medication aide and rehabilitation aide courses add extra skills to the basic CNA knowledge. Students must participate in both lecture and clinical experiences throughout the length of the nurse aide training course. The Eastern Iowa Community College District will award a certificate of completion to all nurse aides graduates. The nurse aide program, as well as the medication and rehabilitation aide courses are approved by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and meet all the federal and state requirements for the training of certified nursing assistants.

Northeast Iowa Community College - Calmar
P.O. Box 400, Calmar, IA 52132

Northeast Iowa Community College CNA Course - Peosta
10250 Sundown Road, Peosta, Iowa 52068

Belmond-Klemme Community School District
411 10th Ave., NE, Belmond, IA 50421

North Iowa Area Community College Nurse Aide Program - Mason City
500 College Drive, Mason City, Iowa 50401

Iowa Lakes Community College - Spirit Lake
800 21st Street, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Iowa Lakes Community College CNA Training Course - Algona
2111 Highway 169 North, Algona, Iowa 50511

Iowa Lakes Community College Nurse Aide Training Course - Emmetsburg
3200 College Drive, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Iowa Lakes Community College CNA Program - Estherville
300 South 18th Street, Estherville, Iowa 51334

Iowa Lakes Community College - Spencer
1900 North Grand Ave., Spencer, IA 51301

Northwest Iowa Community College Nurse Assistant Program - Sheldon
603 West Park Street, Sheldon, Iowa 51201

Iowa Central Community College Nurse Aide Training Program - Fort Dodge
One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Iowa Valley Continuing Education CNA Training Program - Marshalltown
3702 South Center Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158

Marshalltown Community College
3700 South Center Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158

Ellsworth Community College Nurse Aide Training - Iowa Falls
1100 College Ave., Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126

Iowa Valley Grinnell Nursing Assistant Program
123 6th Avenue West, Grinnell, IA 50112

Hawkeye Community College C.N.A. Class - Waterloo
1501 East Orange Rd., Waterloo, Iowa 50701

CNA Classes in Iowa ( 2 )

Online nursing assistant training classes in Iowa are now available to students who seek to obtain certification from the convenience of their homes. Students have the option to enroll in six-week or twelve-week long nurse aide courses which meet the seventy-five hour state requirements for nursing assistant training programs. Approved by the state of Iowa, the CNA classes are a combination of online coursework and on-site laboratory and clinical experiences. The hybrid CNA programs provide convenience and educational access to many students who wish to minimize driving to a school's campus to attend lectures and classroom instruction. Adult students have work and family responsibilities which may prevent them from being present for classes at a particular time as required by traditional nursing assistant programs.

A student enrolled in the hybrid online CNA program needs to attend laboratory and clinical days on campus. These days are limited in number and are scheduled in advance, giving you the opportunity to set up arrangements for work, child day care and other responsibilities. What are some of the learning methods employed in the online nursing assistant courses? There are six major study units requiring reading assignments and online interactive discussions with other students and with the course instructor. Each student has access to videos containing nurse aide skills demonstrations, terminology flashcards, and interactive learning applications. At the completion of each of the six units, the student must travel on campus to practice the unit's skills in the laboratory. This is the time when you physically interact with other students and with the program instructor. A final exam similar to the Iowa nurse aide examination is administered to all students at the completion of the course. This practice exam prepares students for challenging the state test. The online nursing assistant training program cost is $400, it includes the course textbook, and it is available through the Western Iowa Community College.

CNA Training Schools and Programs

CNA classes, schools and programs by state.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

C. Adams on July 7, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Is it possible to enroll in a CNA class without a high school diploma or GED?

B. M. on July 13, 2009 at 09:28 PM
There are no federal regulations stating that individuals are required to have a high school diploma prior to attending nurse aide classes. A program coordinator at the school or nursing facility which is offering CNA training classes may tell you if a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required in order to enroll in the nurse aide program. Some facilities do not require a diploma as long as you have completed a 10th grade high school education. In the state of Texas a high school diploma or a GED is not necessary in order to attend and complete a nursing assistant program.

How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?

After becoming a CNA how much more experience, training or school has to be done to become a registered nurse?

I am in the military and I do not have too much time to actually attend a regular CNA program. Who offers online CNA classes?

How do I sign up for CNA training? I am having trouble finding the shortest training program in my area. Can you help me?

How long does it take to get the CNA certificate itself while in school taking courses?

CNA Resources

C.N.A Training Requirements

There is a wide disparity between CNA training requirements among the states. The difference lies in the mandatory number of total training hours necessary to complete state-approved CNA classes.


While according to federal law each nursing assistant course should contain a minimum of seventy-five (75) instruction and clinical hours, individual states have the liberty to mandate extra training requirements for certified nursing assistants. The majority of states exceed the threshold federal minimum requirements for nurse aide training programs because they are considered insufficient to result in an optimal and safe level of care for clients.


A review of nationwide state requirements for nurse assistant courses has found that the following states have mandated highest number of CNA program hours: Maine with a minimum of 90 hours of theory, 20 hours of laboratory skills and 70 hours of clinical instruction for a total of 180 hours; California with one hundred and sixty (160) training hours; Delaware and Oregon each requiring one hundred and fifty (150) hours; followed by the state of Alaska with one hundred and forty (140) hours; Virginia, Arizona, and West Virginia have a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) training hours for state-approved classes.

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