If you are searching for an entry-level nursing career, you can consider training to become a certified nursing assistant. Many certified nursing assistants go on to become nurses at some point in their career. You will need to receive training and pass a certification exam before becoming a certified nursing assistant.
Training Hours and Requirements
Hawaii offers several state-approved nursing assistant training programs. If you want to qualify to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam, you will need to attend a class that has been approved by the state of Hawaii. Training programs in Hawaii must offer at least 100 hours of training. Thirty-hours of training must be in a classroom setting with the other 70 hours being in a clinical setting.
It is necessary to complete your training course successfully before taking the certification exam. You should try not to miss any of your training classes. If you must ever miss a scheduled class, talk with your instructor immediately to determine how to make up your work. After graduating from a course, you can sit for the certification test.
Transferring CNA Certification from Another State to Hawaii
If you already hold a nursing assistant certification in another state, you can apply to have that certification transferred to Hawaii. In order to qualify to apply to have your certification transferred, you will need to have completed a training program that was approved in your prior state. You will need to verify that you passed the certification exam.
You must have an active certification in the other state to apply to transfer your certification. Your certification must be listed in good standing on the Nursing Aide Registry for your former state. It will also be necessary to prove that you have worked in your home state as a nursing assistant or providing nursing related duties.
You will need to contact the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs if you want to apply to receive certification in Hawaii based on your certification in another state. They will provide you with information on applying for reciprocity of your certification.
Steps for Reciprocity
1) Fill out part one of the following form: http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=81054 send it to your current CNA registry(the state you are transferring from. They will then send this form to the Hawaii CNA registry. This is a way for them to verify that you have a valid CNA certificate in the state you currently reside in.
2) If they deem the certificate of your current state to meet their requirements, you will be given a CNA license in the state of Hawaii. You might need to re do the exam if the training hours in your old state do not meet those of Hawaii. To do this you will need to contact the American Red Cross as they handle examinations in Hawaii.
CNA Certification Renewal
Certified nursing assistants must renew their certification every twenty-four months. Renewing your certification is primarily a matter of proving that you have worked in your field over a two-year period. You will need to complete the renewal form in its entirety and submit it before your certification expires. You should pay careful attention to the instructions to ensure that any necessary papers and fees are submitted along with your renewal form.
FAQ:
Q: Can I work in a nursing home in Hawaii if I do not have the CNA license?
A: You can work, provided you do not call your self a certified nurse aide. You will also have some restrictions on the duties you can do. Your pay might not be as good as that of someone who is already certified.
Q: What do I do if I let my certification expire?
A: Depending on when it expired you will either have to do just the certification exam or do the whole training program as well as the test again.
Helpful Resource: Free nursing assistant classes in Hawaii and CNA training in Hawaii
I took A CNA Course twice, once in 2003 and again in 2005. The first time I took the class, I passed it, but was unable to take the ARC test. Then in 2005, I took and completed the class again, and decided to take the ARC test as soon as I could. I completed the program and passed the test with no problems. A few months later, I applied at Maui Memorial Medical Center where I worked for almost six years. When the time came to renew my License, I received my letter from ARC that I signed and gave it to my nursing manager for her to sign and mail in. Unfortunately, several months passed before I realized that my CNA License had expired. When I asked my manager the date that she mailed in the letter, she told me that she didn’t. She said that I didn’t need to be certified to work at that facility. I was disappointed to hear that, seeing as I paid twice to go through the program. After awhile, I stopped making a big deal about it, figuring i’d be working at that hospital as and aide untill I finished college, then i’d apply as a RN., but unfortunately I lost my employment there on Dec. 09, 2010. I immediately started my search for another job. I was unable to obtain employment at several facilities because I was no longer “Certified”. After a few months, I finally got a job in a retirement facility. The duties there are very different from the hospital.
My question is, am I able to get my CNA License back, without having pay again to go through the CNA program and re take the state approved test?
Hi Kimberly. This is something that the DCCA in Hawaii must decide. According to the rules, if your license has been expired for over 5 years, you need to retake the training as well as the test. In your case however, you have worked as a CNA in the last two years so that counts for something as well. Its marginal to say the least. Their contact info is available at http://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/programs/nurse/
I’m not from the US but I have a visitor visa. I’m planning to take a training for CNA, take the exam and eventually try to apply for work. Will I be able to take the training and exam provided that I am not a citizen and only a visitor in the US?
I’m not sure you can go to school and/or work on a visitor visa. Please check with the relevant authorities.