What are the requirements to become a CNA in Wisconsin?

If you want to become a CNA in Wisconsin, you need to meet certain requirements. Once you gain the necessary knowledge and get certified, you can start working as a caring and skilled CNA in the state's healthcare industry. Here are the requirements that you'd need to comply with:

• Complete state-approved training: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) requires 120 hours of training with 32 clinical hours. 

• Age: To qualify for certification, you must be at least 18.

• Pass a background check: You need to undergo a check on your criminal history. You cannot have any past convictions that would make you ineligible to work as a nurse aide.

• Be up to date on immunizations: Before enrolling in the nursing assistant program, you must fulfill and record all necessary prerequisites. The Wisconsin Immunization Record online is a helpful resource for checking vaccination status. Annual tuberculosis (TB) screening is also a must, with a set due date of one year. These results are separate from the Wisconsin Immunization Registry because it's a screening rather than a vaccine.

• Be in good physical health: Once you become a CNA, you must be physically healthy to do your job well. It's essential to carry out your duties effectively, provide the best patient care, and keep everyone safe.

• Pass the state exam: You must pass the competency exam for CNAs in Wisconsin. Passing the certification exam shows that you meet all the requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to be eligible to be on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry (WNAR) list. It will also open doors to a fulfilling career in the healthcare field for you.

Exploring a Career in CNA Outside Wisconsin

For those inspired to become a CNA but living in a different state, achieving your ambition is still very much a possibility. You could explore becoming a CNA in Alabama, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, or Wyoming. And if you're not near any of these, Dreambound is here to assist by offering an easy way to find and compare CNA classes by entering your zip code. With the right mindset and resources like Dreambound, starting a career in healthcare is possible from any place.

The CNA state exam in Wisconsin

As you start your nursing career, you must pass the competency exam. Passing this exam ensures you understand the nurse aide's knowledge and skills standards. It proves that you can competently and safely perform the job of an entry-level nurse aide.

Wisconsin uses the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) test. It has two parts: a skills demonstration and a written (or oral) test. Both parts are necessary to get listed on the WNAR. D&S Diversified Technologies LLP Headmaster conducts the examination. Here's what you need to know about the two-part test:

• Written or oral test: You have up to 60 minutes to complete the 75-question knowledge test. The proctor will read the first 67 questions orally for the Oral Test. You need to answer the remaining eight questions by yourself to assess your English reading comprehension. The passing score for the knowledge portion is at least 71%.

• Skills Demonstration Test: You have** 30 minutes to complete the three or four tasks randomly assigned to you**. The tasks are all scenarios based on the Wisconsin-approved nurse aide skill tasks. The RN test observer will read all the scenarios to you. You must perform all key steps and at least 80% of the non-key steps on each task to pass.

If you’re thinking of how much you have to spend for the exam, here’s a breakdown to help you:

• Written & Skills Evaluation: $125

• Oral & Skills Evaluation: $130

• Written Exam only: $32

• Oral or Audio version of Written Exam only: $37

• Skills Exam only: $93

So, what should you bring on the day of the exam? Make sure to bring the following:

• A current identification with a photo I.D.

• Social Security card

• Non-skid, closed-toe shoes for the clinical evaluation

• Three No. 2 pencils and an eraser

• A watch with a secondhand

Exploring a Career in CNA Outside Wisconsin

If you're aiming to pursue a career as a CNA but find yourself in a different state, remember, your goal is still within reach. You can explore opportunities to start your career as a CNA in places like Florida, Utah, Washington D.C., Missouri, or Indiana. If these locations don't work for you, Dreambound simplifies the journey to becoming a CNA no matter where you live. By enabling you to find and compare CNA classes with a quick zip code search, Dreambound empowers you to move forward confidently toward a rewarding career in healthcare, regardless of your current location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do CNAs make in Wisconsin?

As of May 2023, the typical yearly income for a CNA in Wisconsin is around $40,600. On an hourly basis, the average pay is approximately $19.52. Some may earn more depending on factors like experience and the type of facility you work at. The overall salary range for CNAs in Wisconsin is around $35,220 to $45,910.

What state pays CNAs the highest?

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2023 report, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in Washington D.C. earn an average hourly wage of $23.01, which amounts to an annual salary of $47,860. This makes Washington, D.C. the highest-paying region for CNAs, followed by Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington State. Other reliable online job sites also rank D.C. in the top four or five highest-paying states for this profession.