Key Points

• What is a CNA? A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a state-certified healthcare professional who provides essential, hands-on daily care to patients under the supervision of a nurse.
• How to become a CNA in Michigan? To become a CNA in Michigan, you must complete a state-approved 75-hour training program and pass the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (CEP) exam.
• Length of training for a CNA: CNA training programs in Michigan are fast and typically take 4 to 8 weeks to complete.
• Average CNA salary in Michigan: The median salary for a CNA in Michigan is approximately $38,930 per year.
• Number of employment of CNAs in Michigan: As of May 2024, there were approximately 71,980 Nursing Assistants employed in Michigan.

What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant is the heart of hands-on patient care, especially in hospitals and long-term care facilities. They are the professionals who spend the most time directly with patients, assisting them with essential daily needs and providing a vital link to the nursing staff. A CNA's work is incredibly important for patient comfort, safety, and dignity.

What does a CNA do?

• Assisting patients with personal care like bathing, dressing, and using the restroom.
• Helping patients with eating and drinking.
• Taking and accurately recording vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure).
• Assisting with patient mobility, including transferring them safely between beds and wheelchairs.
• Observing patients' physical and mental conditions and reporting any changes to the supervising nurse.
• Providing companionship and emotional support.

Where Do CNAs Work?

CNAs are needed in nearly every healthcare environment where direct patient care is provided. In Michigan, you'll find abundant job opportunities in:

• Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities: The largest employers of CNAs.
• Hospitals: Working on various units alongside nurses and doctors. Major employers include Corewell Health, Henry Ford Health, Michigan Medicine, and Trinity Health.
• Assisted Living Facilities: Helping residents with daily activities.
• Home Health Agencies: Providing care to clients in their own homes.
• Hospice Facilities: Offering compassionate end-of-life care.

Requirements to Become a CNA in Michigan

To work as a CNA in Michigan, you must be certified and listed on the state's Nurse Aide Registry. The requirements set by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) are clear:

• Age: Be at least 16-18 years old (most programs require 18).
• Education: While not mandated by the state, most training programs require a high school diploma or GED.
• Approved Training: You must successfully complete a Michigan-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) of at least 75 hours.
• Competency Exam: You must pass the state-approved competency evaluation program exam within 24 months of completing training.
• Background Check: You must pass a criminal background check.

How to Become a CNA in Michigan

Ready to jumpstart your healthcare career? Here’s your straightforward, step-by-step plan to becoming a certified CNA in Michigan:

1. Meet the Foundational Requirements

First, make sure you meet the basic criteria. You'll need to be the minimum age required by your chosen program (usually 18), have your high school diploma or GED (if required by the school), and be able to pass a background check and health screenings (like a TB test).

2. Enroll in a State-Approved CNA Program

Your most important step is to enroll in a Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) that is approved by the state of Michigan. These programs provide at least 75 hours of training, combining classroom instruction, lab practice, and supervised clinical experience in a real healthcare setting (usually a nursing home).

3. Earn Your CNA Certification

After finishing your training, you need to pass the official state exam to get certified.

How to Get a CNA Certification in Michigan?

Complete Training: Successfully graduate from your 75+ hour state-approved NATP.

Apply for the Exam: Register to take the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (CEP) exam, currently administered by Prometric (Note: Previous providers like Headmaster/D&S Diversified no longer handle the MI exam as of recent updates). The exam fee is typically around $125.

Pass Both Parts: You must pass both the Written (or Oral) Examination and the Clinical Skills Examination within three attempts and within 24 months of finishing your training.

Get Listed on the Registry: Once you pass both parts, your name will be automatically added to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry, making you a certified CNA!

4. Apply for CNA Jobs

With your certification active on the registry, you're ready to start working! Explore the specific skills employers are looking for on MyNextMove.org.

How to Get a CNA Job in Michigan?

Update your resume to highlight your new Michigan CNA certification and your clinical training experience. Search for job openings on major job boards (Indeed, etc.) and directly on the career pages of hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies across Michigan. Many facilities where you complete your clinical rotations offer jobs to new graduates.