CNA Classes in New Mexico

CNAs assist the nurses with the basic care of the patients in activities of daily living, such as mobility and communication, bathing and grooming, feeding, taking vital signs, collecting specimens, administering medication, and report any changes in the patient’s condition.

Nursing Assistants needs comprehensive training to prepare them for real-life work experience. Not only that, but Nursing Assistants should also be well-prepared to work with the nursing staff or a health care team in different healthcare settings.

Therefore, to become someone a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in New Mexico will have to complete a CNA training program approved by New Mexico Board of Nursing, and then pass the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Exam to obtain a CNA certificate.

The training will provide ample field experience and gives opportunities for those want to become a licensed nurse to work in the field even before they finish their degree. New Mexico’s Department of Health Certified Nurse Aide Registry maintains the Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) and certifies the Nurse Aide/Nursing Assistant training programs in the state.

Many different facilities provide training courses, such as community colleges, vocational and technical schools, online schools, American Red Cross, hospitals and nursing homes.

Some employers will pay for a CNA’s training, as long as the CNA agrees to work for a specific amount of time at the facility after licensing and the placement on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry.

Most training programs in New Mexico require a high school diploma or GED certificate and clean criminal record for acceptance. All approved programs meet guidelines and Federal regulations, and it is important for every student to attend theoretical and practical training sessions, that have at least 75 hours of instruction, including at least 16 hours of actual patient care.

The courses include a wide variety of topics, such as patient’s rights, primary health issues and infection control, documentation and reporting, basic anatomy, and emergency response procedures.

The student will sit for the competency exam if has fulfilled all areas of the training successfully within 24 months of completion of training. The certification test is administered by Prometric and is controlled by the New Mexico State Department of Health. This test aims to demonstrate that candidates possess the knowledge, experience, and skills required to perform CNA duties.

Like the instruction, the competency exam is divided into two parts. The written test, which tests a candidate’s knowledge, and includes 55 multiple-choice questions, and the clinical skills test, which mimics a clinical setting. The examinee is asked to perform five skills, which are chosen randomly from a set of 25 skills, which she/he learns during the CNA training, and she/he must pass both sections of the test to become certified and to be added to the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry. The registry keeps a record of all the individuals, who have been certified by the state board.

If the examinee fails the test three times consecutively, he/she will have to retake the CNA training. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) must renew certification every two years, and execute the duties of nursing assistant for at least 8 hours in the last twenty-four months as a paid employee.

CNA Classes in Albuquerque

Central New Mexico Community College

CNM serves over 30,000 students each year, making it the largest community college in New Mexico. With seven locations in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area, CNM offers more than 150 programs (degree, certificate, and training). CNM also offers Distance Learning, Dual Credit, and Adult Basic Education programs.

CNM has six schools of study: School of Applied Technologies, School of Business & Information Technology; School of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences; School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety; School of Mathematics, Science & Engineering, and School of Adult & General Education. The School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety offers more than two dozen programs of study. This includes the Nursing Assistant training program.

Students need to take the NA 1020, NA 1093 (Principles of Nursing Asst Lab) and NA 1190. The HLTH 1001 (Clinical Prep) course is a corequisite to the NA 1020/1093 course and a prerequisite for the NA1190 course. CNM provides supplemental skills lab so that students can have additional practice time. Students and even graduates can access equipment and supplies with the supervision of an instructor. Students need to sign up for the NA 1115 – Nursing Assistant Supplemental Skills course to avail of this additional skills lab time.

The course is a combination of classroom instruction, skills training, and hands-on clinical practice which is taught by qualified nursing instructors who have years of experience in the medical field. Classes are flexible, and it allows working students to finish the program without compromising their prior commitment.

Students in the Nursing Assistant training program will be exposed in a clinical setting in the last portion of the course with supervision from a Registered Nurse. Central New Mexico Community College provides quality CNA training to aspiring healthcare professionals who want to work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other facilities.

The admission process of the Nursing Assistant training program happens several times a year, and prospective students can enroll as early as possible to reserve. However, it is important to meet the program requirements and criteria. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is needed to enroll, along with a clean criminal background check, and negative test results on drugs and two-step Mantoux tests. In addition to that, prospective students should also make sure that they are physically capable of lifting at least 50 lbs and can sustain long periods of work.

The job of a CNA is demanding but rewarding at the same time. Since the class size is small, only a few enrollees will be invited for the training. Those with financial constraints should not be hindered to study at Central New Mexico Community College because they have scholarships and grants available.

The program is for one semester. There will be review sessions prior to the state certification exam. The CNM Main Campus also facilitates the state certification exam.

CNM requires students to comply with clinical requirements prior to the clinical experience component of the program. The Office of Verification & Compliance can help students with that.

Manzano del Sol Village

Good Samaritan Society – Manzano del Sol Village is a senior community that provides a continuum and smooth transition of care. The village also offers post-acute rehabilitative programs for all ages. There are 24/7 admissions with consistent and high-quality therapy and wellness programming, senior apartments, skilled nursing, and other services.

The village also offers many career and training opportunities for employees. This includes scholarships. There is a staff education loan or scholarship, and the Hoeger Scholarship and Loan Program for employees. Employees can pursue continuing education opportunities and training in the Good Samaritan Society’s Learning Center. Employees can choose from clinical and non-clinical pathways in Nursing Assistant training, internal management and leadership training, and advanced degrees in healthcare management.

Universal Care Home Health Agency, Inc.

This home health care agency provides quality care with respect and dignity. Aside from Home Health Aides, the agency also provides skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other services. Universal Care assures its clients that the care they provide, including their staff is consistent.

The Universal Care Home Health Agency, Inc. offers a state Certified Nursing Assistant training which allows graduates to sit for the certification exam in New Mexico. Classes are available in the day, evening, and weekend. Spanish classes are even available to students who fit for this program. The CNA training program is a rigorous healthcare course that includes classroom instruction, skills training, and hands-on clinical practicum.

Students get the chance to have an in-depth understanding of the profession, especially that they will know the fundamentals in nursing, emergency procedures, geriatric nursing, anatomy and physiology, infection control, nutrition, and many more. These participants will also learn to provide care to patients or residents in a healthcare facility, take vital signs, monitor the patient’s condition, and work with other members of the healthcare team.

The Universal Care Home Health Agency, Inc. has a reputation for producing the best nursing assistants in the state. Since the class size is small and the training is rigorous, students have to take the program seriously and should avoid creating absences. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is a requirement to enroll, but other than that, prospective students should pass the criminal background check, drug screening, TB testing, and proof of immunization.

The Universal Care Home Health Agency, Inc. does not have a lot of tuition assistance programs available to aspiring nursing assistants. Students are responsible for seeking scholarships, loans, or grants to undergo the program at a low cost.

The program length is four to five weeks with the day, evening, and weekend classes. There are also classes that are taught in Spanish. Individuals can refer someone to the agency’s CNA training program through the Student Referral form.

Princeton Place

Princeton Place offers short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. The facility ensures that their highly-skilled healthcare team addresses the residents’ needs, not only medical but also their psychological needs. Princeton Place had been around, serving Albuquerque and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. Residents can enjoy the amenities and services like daily social activities, therapy gym, home-cooked meals, and comfortable living and socialization spaces.

CNA Classes in Farmington

San Juan College

San Juan College offers a Nurse Aide Certification program which can be completed for eight weeks. This program has six credit hours with classes that are conducted three days per week and four hours each day. The Nurse Aide Certification program meets the federal and state standards, qualifying the graduates for the New Mexico Certification Examination.

It has 45 hours of classroom instruction and 90 hours of laboratory and clinical practicum in a local healthcare facility. Since the program is a short healthcare course, students are expected to attend the class, laboratory, and clinical practicum without absences. They also have to pass the criminal background check and submit the necessary immunizations or titers before they can start their clinical practicum.

The Nurse Aide Certification program of San Juan College is taught by highly qualified instructors who have years of experience in the medical field. Students become competent nursing assistants who are prepared to pass the certification exam and become employed in various healthcare facilities. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is the minimum educational requirement of the program, but all prospective students have to meet the Accuplacer eligibility. Other requirements of the program include a criminal background check, drug screening, and TB testing.

The course teaches students skills to take care of the sick under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and other health professionals in hospital, home care facilities, skilled care facilities and nursing homes. Successful completion of the course qualifies the student to apply for the State Certification Examination. The course is structured as per the Omnibus Reconciliation Act. The course is offered in three semesters- fall, spring, summer.

The course is a 6-credit hour course. The tuition fee is $$305 and a $1.50 student activity fee per credit hour. International students need to pay an additional fee of $200 per credit hour. In addition to tuition fee- lab, textbooks, uniform, tuberculosis test, immunizations and certification exam will cost $420.

Scholarships, loans, and grants may be available at San Juan College. Interested students can apply at the school’s Financial Aid Office to lessen the cost of the training program.

CNA Classes in Santa Fe

Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe Community College offers a Certified Nursing Assistant training program which prepares the students for entering the nursing profession as an entry-level Nursing Assistant. The program meets the federal and state certification standards and enables graduates to sit for the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry exams. All students will be taught by experienced instructors who are Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses. The program also combines classroom instruction, skills training, and hands-on clinical practice.

Students are exposed first in a classroom setting wherein they learn various concepts like the fundamentals of nursing, the art of caregiving, medical terminologies, infection control, nutrition, emergency procedures, and many more. After the required hours of lectures is completed, students will then practice several nursing skills in a fully-equipped simulation lab. Among the skills learned are vital signs taking, monitoring patient’s condition, assisting in activities of daily living, and many more. The clinical practicum will then take place at the end part of the program. This is made with supervision from a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.

The Certified Nursing Assistant training program at Santa Fe Community College has a small class size with the competitive admission process. Interested students have to be at least a high school graduate or a GED equivalent holder. Fingerprinting for criminal background checks, proof of recommended vaccination, and drug testing are also required for the Nurse Aide class. Finishing the CNA course allows graduates to earn 5.5 credits. Scholarships and grants are also available to help students finish the course by paying less.

CNA Classes in Taos

University of New Mexico – Taos

The University of New Mexico in Taos offers a Health Career Nursing Assistant training program which allows graduates to sit for the certification exam and work as a CNA in various healthcare facilities. The course is a short healthcare program that combines classroom instruction, laboratory training, and hands-on clinical practicum. Students get a chance to undergo high-quality training from the best clinical instructors, and they will learn various nursing concepts and skills that are essential to the CNA practice. Among the topics discussed are anatomy and physiology, infection control, nutrition, the art of caregiving, emergency procedures, fundamentals of nursing, and many more. Participants also learn how to take vital signs, assist in the activities of daily living, record patient’s condition, work with other members of the healthcare team, and care for patients or residents in a healthcare facility.

The Health Career Nursing Assistant training program takes place several times a year with admission process that includes submission of high school diploma or GED equivalent, proof of immunization on certain vaccines, criminal background check, drug screening, and TB testing. Other criteria of the program will be discussed during the orientation session which takes place before the start of the class. The University of New Mexico in Taos provides quality training to aspiring nursing assistants. Tuition assistance programs are available, and students are responsible for seeking one to lessen the cost of the training. These scholarships, loans, and grants are available in the school’s Financial Aid Office.

CNA Classes in Roswell

Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell

Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell has a Nursing Assistant training program which prepares students for the certification exam. The course is combined classroom instruction, skills training, and hands-on clinical practice in a local healthcare facility. Students have to commit weeks of training to receive a certificate of completion and be able to take the licensing test. The Eastern New Mexico University provides quality instruction through their teachers and clinical instructors who have years of experience in the medical field.

Class size is small, and training are held in their fully-equipped classrooms and simulation lab. On top of that, the Nursing Assistant training program allows participants to become competent healthcare professionals who are ready to embark a career in the medical sector. Through the quality training and solid support from the university, graduates are guaranteed to become competent and well-prepared healthcare professionals.

The Nursing Assistant training program of Eastern New Mexico University in Roswell takes place several times a year. Individuals who want to get into the program should be at least 16 years old with a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Passing the admission test and the criminal background check are also necessary, and students have to make sure that they have undergone the required vaccination. Nevertheless, those who plan to take a scholarship or grant can check out the school’s Financial Aid Office. These tuition assistance programs are given to deserving students who want to study the Nursing Assistant training at a low cost.

CNA Classes in Las Cruces

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is New Mexico’s land-grant university. It is a comprehensive research institution of higher education dedicated to research, teaching and service at the undergraduate and graduate levels. NMSU is a NASA Space Grant College and is home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. NMSU has been recognized as a top tier university by U.S. News & World Report.

The nursing assistant course offered at New Mexico State University is a 16-credit course. Students learn to perform basic nursing functions involving patient care; work under the supervision of a registered nurse; tend to matters related to nutrition, personal hygiene, exercise, safety; lift, move or observe patients as well as measure vital signs like temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure and assist with patient admission and discharge.

The courses in the program are Medical Terminology (3 credits), Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits), Nursing Assistant Fundamentals (3 credits)), Nursing Assistants Fundamentals Lab (1 credit), Nursing Assistant Clinicals (4 credits) and CPR for the Health Care Professional (1 credit).

The program is designed to be completed in 1 year. Completion is calculated on the basis of taking 12 credits per semester, fall and spring semesters only. The cost of the program is $1786 for in-district residents and $3146 for out-of-state residents. The cost includes tuition fee, any additional course fee, books and supply costs. An additional $25 per credit hour will be charged for any courses taken online.

After completing the program, students will be qualified to sit for the licensure exam in New Mexico.

All State Approved CNA Classes in New Mexico

LOCATION	FACILITY	ADDRESS	PHONE
Alamogordo, NM	New Mexico State University	2400 N. Scenic Drive	575-439-3600
Albuquerque, NM	Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute	4700 Morris Street Northeast	505-224-5520
Albuquerque, NM	Central New Mexico Community College	525 Buena Vista Dr. Se	505-224-3000
Carlsbad, NM	New Mexico State University	1500 University Drive	575-234-9200
Clovis, NM	Clovis Community College	417 Schepps Boulevard	575-769-2811
Espanola, NM	Northern New Mexico Community College	921 N. Paseo De Onate	505-747-2100
Farmington, NM	San Juan College	4601 College Boulevard	505-326-3311
Gallup, NM	University Of New Mexico	705 Gurley Ave.	505-863-7500
Grants, NM	New Mexico State University	1500 N Third St	505-287-6678
Las Cruces, NM	Dona Ana Branch Community College	2800 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd	575-527-7500
Las Cruces, NM	New Mexico State University	P.o. Box 30001	575-646-5746
Los Lunas, NM	University Of New Mexico Valencia	280 La Entrada Rd	505-925-8500
Roswell, NM	Eastern New Mexico University	52 University Blvd	575-624-7249
Tucumcari, NM	Mesalands Community College	911 S 10th St	575-461-4413