Get Nurse Aide Certified in Kentucky

Want to Become a Nurse Aide in Kentucky? 

What are the CNA requirements in Kentucky? Here’s how to prepare for your CNA state exam and how to become a Certified Nurse Assistant in Kentucky.

How to Become a SRNA in Kentucky

In order to become a Nurse Aide, you must graduate from a state-licensed program. All training programs are monitored by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. These training programs are officially called the Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEP). NATCEP refers to both the certificate program as well as the state test you must pass. 

Each SRNA program in Kentucky must include at least 75 hours of instruction in both classroom theory and clinical practice. Of these 75 hours, at least 16 hours must include supervised clinical training. This clinical training takes place in a long-term care nursing facility that is approved by the Kentucky Medicaid program. CNA trainees demonstrate nursing skills on residents while under the guidance of a supervising nurse. 

The remaining “classroom” hours are knowledge-based learning with a textbook. These are not required to be in a physical classroom and can be completed by computer in an online CNA program. You’ll need at least 16 hours of this knowledge-based training before you start on your clinical hours. During the course you’ll take a minimum of 3 written or oral CNA practice tests and you’ll need an average score of at least 70%. When you complete all your classroom and clinical hours, you’re ready to graduate. You’ll be presented with a CNA certificate of course completion and a skills check-off list showing what skills you’ve properly learned and demonstrated. 

Find a CNA school near you by scrolling to the top of this page and entering your zip code. You can use this Free CNA School Search tool to find hybrid training programs with online CNA courses, or accelerated CNA programs, or even part-time schools. You can even take CNA classes en Español.

A Closer Look at SRNA Training

A typical CNA program in Kentucky will include a minimum of 16 hours of introductory training before administering direct care for patients. Introductory hours consist of communication, infection control, patients’ rights, and safety procedures such as the Heimlich maneuver. You can expect to take CNA classes that cover topics such as:

• Mental Health

• Anatomy

• Vital Signs

• Social Service

• Cognitive Ability

• Emergency Procedures

• Personal Care Skills

• Infection Control

• Basic Nursing Care

• Restorative Services

• Patients’ Rights

A CNA Training Program can cost between $400-$1,200. However, it’s possible to get free CNA classes or partially-reimbursed training. The Kentucky Medicaid Program will reimburse you for a portion of your tuition and expenses if you meet all the following criteria: if you don’t have a job offer from a long-term care facility by the first day of your training program, have out-of-pocket expenses because of your training program, and if you’ve received a job offer from a long-term care facility with 12 months of graduating from your CNA certificate program. If you have additional questions about getting reimbursed, you must talk to your employer at the long-term care facility. 

The SRNA Test in Kentucky

Once you complete your CNA training program in Kentucky, you’ll be ready to take your NATCEP exam. In order to work as a Nurse Aide in Kentucky, everyone must take and pass the Kentucky exam, even if you are already working as a Nurse Aide in another state.

The SRNA test in Kentucky is comprised of 2 portions: a knowledge exam, and a clinical skills evaluation. Both are administered on the same day. The written exam has 75-100 multiple choice questions and you will have 2 hours to complete it. You can also opt to take an oral exam instead of the written portion. The skills portion requires the testing administrator to supervise you demonstrating 5 skills randomly selected from a list of 34 skills in 30 minutes or less. You must perform 4 of the 5 skills correctly to pass. If you have a disability, you may request special arrangements for the test that must be approved in advance. If you don’t pass the exam on your first try, it is possible to retake the exam twice.

Your test scores will be mailed to you within 30 days of your test date. Test scores will not be available online or by phone. You will receive a letter saying you’ve passed. Congratulations! You can now be added to the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry. It will take about 30 days for your name to be added to the registry.

The remaining jobs are at hospitals, medical offices, facilities for elderly, mental health clinics, outpatient care centers, and even film and television housing facilities. CNAs play such a vital role in patient care, that the growth of CNA jobs is projected to grow 11% by 2026. An aging population will significantly increase Nurse Aide jobs. You may also work at a nursing facility for a maximum of 4 months while you are enrolled in your training program.

SRNA Job Advancement

Nurse Aides are an entry-level position in the medical field, making it a great start for your nursing career. It’s fast and inexpensive to get your certification as a SRNA. If you decide you want to promote to a more skilled nurse, then you can become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). It takes additional certifications and training to reach both of these nursing levels. To become a LPN, a Nurse Aide can apply for a bridge course that can be found at a community college or a vocational training school. There will be some overlap on the basic nursing skills, which means your classes from your SRNA program will be able to transfer to save you both time and money.

State-Approved Nursing Assistant Programs in Kentucky