CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in Fort Wayne, Indiana (IN)

The American Midwest is a place that still offers a lot of promise. Good wages, ample job opportunities, unique communities, and the possibility of growth make this region very appealing. This is also a good place for those interested in becoming CNAs as well. There is going to be an anticipated shortage in these medical professionals in the coming years, and anyone who wants to head to the Midwest will find plenty of work. The first step is to enroll in CNA classes in Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne, IN  is a great community to consider thanks to its location in between such bustling cities as Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati. If you are considering a lucrative career, working as a CNA in Fort Wayne is a good choice.

Finding Information about CNA Jobs in Fort Wayne

Naturally, you don’t want to go on our word that this is a busy field. You will want to actually take a look at the jobs available in the area, and a great place to get a good perspective of the CNA job market is in a site like the Indeed.com listings for Fort Wayne. This will show you the ways that certified nursing assistants are working and what sort of pay they can expect in Fort Wayne.

If you are already prepared to make the move to become a CNA, you will want to work with a medical staffing service that can get you the position you desire – whether as a live in caregiver or a full-time CNA at a hospital. Some of the most reliable names include:

• On-Site Medical Staffing
• Bright Star Care
• Angel Corps

CNA Classes and Licensing Requirements

The CNA training in Fort Wayne is overseen by the Indiana Department of Health. They will accredit any CNA programs offering classes and will also require a background check before anyone can be admitted to such programs.

Because there is a strong demand for CNAs in the state of Indiana right now, there is a need to pre-register well in advance for the mandatory credentialing exam. This can be done through the program, but the vast majority of CNA students will opt to use Ivy Tech Community College for their testing.

Students are required to take CNA programs that require 105 hours of training prior to the exam. Thirty hours are spent in specific CNA classes while another 75 are spent in “hands on” training in various clinical settings. There is a requirement for 16 hours in such programs before any student can begin in clinical rotations.

Key CNA Training Programs in Fort Wayne

The state Department of Health has a useful website provides a full list of CNA training sites already approved by the state, but for students looking for CNA classes in Fort Wayne, the following programs apply:

• Ivy Tech Community College

Key Employers to Know

After your CNA training and testing, along with ensuring that you become listed on the state registry, you can then get started with an official job hunt. Though you may have already used some of the staffing services listed above, we also suggest you consider getting vital experience in one of the most idealized settings possible – a large hospital or medical center. This allows you to see all facets of the work of a CNA and to really decide what you want to do with your training. The following are top locations in Fort Wayne:

• Parkview Hospital
• Dupont Hospital
• St. Joseph Hospital

Salary Information

Currently there is a huge demand for CNAs throughout the state of Indiana. This means that there may be some competition for jobs in the future, but not right away. Because of this, the average starting salaries for CNAs in the state are quite high. They are above the national average by over one thousand dollars per year, and that is without overtime or sign on bonuses. The median annual Nursing Assistant salary in Fort Wayne, IN is $26,633, as of March 31, 2017, with a range usually between $24,215–$29,914 (Salary.com)

Key Skills Learned in CNA Training Programs

During your classes and training as a CNA you will develop the following knowledge base:

• Providing services to the supervising nurse at your facility,
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology,
• Patient safety techniques,
• Caring for the patients, and
• CPR certification

Before you become a certified nursing assistant in Fort Wayne, you will also need training in dispensing of medication, dealing with positioning in wheelchairs, and knowing how to communicate a patient’s needs properly to medical staff.