CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in New Orleans, Louisiana (LA)

Though the state of Louisiana seems to get regularly beat up by bad weather it is still one of the most attractive and appealing places to live and work. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the city of New Orleans. What is so interesting is that this city is still rebuilding and in need of all kinds of medical professionals. If you want to train to become a certified nursing assistant, taking CNA classes in New Orleans may be the ideal choice.

Finding Information about CNA Jobs in New Orleans

How can you know if New Orleans is the right spot for you? After all, some CNAs want to become caregivers to individual clients while others prefer the enormous hospitals or medical centers in most larger cities. The best way to find if there are job openings of interest to you is to check out the general listings.

For instance, the Craigslist pages for the city are a good resource. If, however, you want very targeted information about certified nursing assistant jobs in the area, you may need to consult with a medical staffing service. They can tell you what types of jobs are currently open and if there are any that fit your needs. The more popular services in New Orleans include:

• Spherion Staffing
• Egan Healthcare

CNA Classes and Licensing Requirements

Obviously you cannot just contact any of the groups in need of CNAs without having all of the proper training and certification too. In Louisiana that means you have to complete one of the accredited CNA  programs in the state.

These programs are approved by the Louisiana Department of Health, and  involve at least 80 hours of CNA training. This means around 40 hours of practical training partnered with 40 hours of specific CNA classes. You will also need to pass a criminal background check, a TB test, and submit to a physical before you become officially certified.

Once you have completed the CNA training, you can then take the state’s Nurse Aide Exam at one of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing locations. If you pass the exam, you will become listed on the Louisiana Nursing Assistant Registry. (Training programs can take three to eight months, and testing is mandatory.)

Key CNA Training Programs in New Orleans

So, where can you find all of this essential CNA training? Louisiana has a massive list of approved training programs, but specific sites offering CNA classes in New Orleans include:

• Delgado Community College
• Nunez Community College

Key Employers to Know

Getting CNA training and certification does not guarantee that you get precisely the job you want – especially if you don’t even know what you hope to do with all of this wonderful training and skill yet. The following large employers are a great place to get experience and a strong start, and most of them are known for having the best salary and benefits in the city as well. They include:

• Ochsner Medical Center
• Tulane Medical Center

Salary Information

The median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in New Orleans, LA is $32,040, as of August 6, 2020, with a range usually between $26,614-$38,421 per year. (Salary.com) This is the national average and does not take any sort of sign on bonuses or overtime hours into account. A CNA in New Orleans is going to be in high demand, and can count on a lot of options for earning more than their base salary.

Key Skills Learned in CNA Training Programs

The CNA training programs for Louisiana are designed by the state but does not differ widely from federal guidelines. Consider that anyone in either type of program will finish their classes and training with full comprehension about:

• How to provide services to the supervising nurses and physicians at a medical facility,
• How to properly care for the patients, including everything from feeding and bathing, to moving them from bed to a chair, etc.,
• How to properly and safely toilet patients,
• Using and implementing patient safety techniques, and
• The basics of human anatomy and physiology.

Additionally, CPR certification may be part of the essential training to become a certified nursing assistant in New Orleans as well.