What is a CNA?
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic care and assistance to patients, residents, or clients in various healthcare settings. Their responsibilities include tasks such as helping patients with daily living activities, monitoring vital signs, and reporting any changes in a patient's condition to nurses or other healthcare providers.
Where does a CNA work?
CNAs workplaces are nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare settings, providing care and support to patients of all ages.
What are the requirements to become a CNA in Wyoming?
To become a CNA in Wyoming, individuals must complete the following steps:
-
Complete a state-approved training program: which typically includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. In Wyoming, This program should have 85 hours of training. Out of these, 70 hours will be spent learning in a classroom, and the remaining 15 hours will be practical training where you get hands-on experience. The average cost of CNA training is $500 to $1,000. Keep a separate budget as well for the other things you must buy for your CNA class.
-
Meet legal and other requirements: The widely accepted age for admission to CNA schools in Wyoming is 18 years old. Legal requirements like submitting CBC fingerprint cards are a must according to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing.
-
Pass a competency exam: After completing a CNA training program, individuals must pass the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). This exam tests their knowledge and skills in providing basic nursing care. Once they pass the exam, they will get their names listed in the Wyoming CNA Registry, which must be renewed periodically to maintain their active status.
Once certified, CNAs can search for job opportunities in healthcare facilities, earning a competitive salary commensurate with their skills and experience!
Where can I find CNA classes in Wyoming?
Dreambound is the largest platform for students to find and compare vocational training programs, including CNA classes near you in Wyoming. Dreambound can help you locate CNA training programs in your area and provide information about the curriculum, schedule, and costs.
The CNA state exam in Wyoming
The CNA state exam in Wyoming has 2 parts, the knowledge and skills evaluation portions. These are some of the key points you should know about each exam:
Knowledge Exam:
You'll be given a total of 60 minutes to finish the 60-question Knowledge Test. To successfully pass this part of the exam, you need to achieve at least a 76% score.
Manual Demonstration Skill Exam: In your test, you'll be given three or four tasks, each with its own unique situation. The nurse observing your test will explain these situations to you right before you start each task. You have a total of 30 minutes to finish all your tasks. To pass the test, you need to correctly do all the main steps (highlighted in bold) and at least 80% of the other steps for each task you're given.
Remember, passing the CNA exam is the final step in becoming a certified nursing assistant in Wyoming. Good luck!
How can I schedule my CNA exam in Wyoming?
Scheduling your CNA exam can be quite confusing, but let us help you break it down in a step-by-step manner.
-
Visit the Headmaster Website: Navigate to the Headmaster website, this is the official testing service for the Wyoming CNA exam.
-
Create an Account: Click on the button to create an account and finish setting it up. You'll need to provide some basic information such as your name, email address, password, and more.
-
Select Wyoming: Once your account is set up, select "Wyoming" from the list of states. This will take you to the Wyoming-specific section of the website.
-
Choose CNA Exam: Look for the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) exam option and click on it.
-
Pay Exam Fee: The fee for the CNA exam in Wyoming is $127. $32 for the knowledge exam and $95 for the skills. This is the exam fee amount as of February 2024. This includes both the written and skills sections of the exam. You can pay this fee online using a credit or debit card.
-
Schedule Your Exam: After paying the fee, you'll be able to schedule your exam. Choose a date and time that works best for you. Be sure to choose a date that gives you enough time to prepare. This is also the step where you can select the Audio testing option to take the audio version of the knowledge exam.
-
Confirm Your Exam: You'll receive a test confirmation letter with the details of your scheduled exam. Make sure to read this and the Wyoming candidate handbook to know more about ID requirements, dress code, etc.!
-
Prepare for the Exam: Spend time studying and preparing for the exam. The Headmaster website offers study materials and practice exams to help you prepare.
-
Take the Exam: On the day of the exam, arrive early, wear proper testing attire, and bring a valid photo ID, and any other required materials. Avoid rescheduling as this is subject to a $35 fee!
How do I get my CNA certification in Wyoming?
Once you've finished both the Knowledge Exam and Skill Test parts of the competency exam, D&SDT-Headmaster scoring teams will officially grade and double-check your results. You can access your official test results by logging into your TMU© account after 6:00 PM (MST) on the next business day. Please note that D&SDT-Headmaster can't share test results over the phone.
After passing your exam, you may earn certification and be added to the Wyoming Nurse Aide Registry. However, this will only happen once you've met all the requirements set by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. This includes passing both the knowledge and skill test parts of the Wyoming nurse aide examination.
Upon receiving your test results, the Wyoming State Board of Nursing may take 3-5 business days to process your CNA certificate, given all application documents have been received.
Please be aware that D&SDT-Headmaster does not send test result letters by postal mail.
How do I get a job as a CNA?
With your name on the registry, CNAs can work at various healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes, hospitals, and home healthcare agencies. Many employers also provide on-the-job training and support for new CNAs to help them transition into their roles.
