CNA Training Classes in Hawaii

Take approved CNA education courses to earn your Hawaii CNA certification

Each individual State Board of Nursing is in charge of approving CNA programs in their state. In Hawaii, the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs is responsible for approving these schools and maintaining registries of all nursing aides certified to work in Hawaii. To be able to work in Hawaii as a nurse aide, candidates have to meet certain requirements, which are: completing a state-approved CNA training program, passing the state’s CNA competency exam, and passing a criminal background check. If an applicant is a CNA in another state, they must contact the Registry Department, in order to see if there is the possibility of reciprocity into Hawaii.

The CNA certification programs differ from school to school in Hawaii, but they all must meet certain criteria set forth by the state. The program must include 100 hours of training, broken up into 30 hours of classroom training and 70 hours of clinical training (including consulting and personal care training). Programs are also required to offer instruction from an RN with at least two years of professional work experience. The state of Hawaii has 29 approved CNA programs, most of them in community colleges, technical schools, adult training institutes, and Red Cross centers.

Individuals who complete a state approved training program and pass the exam become eligible to be placed in the Nurse Aide Registry. This means they are legally allowed to work as nurse aides and be placed in the employment bank. In Hawaii, CNA jobs are in great demand due to the aging population in the state and new CNAs will have many job prospects once they have completed the curriculum and passed the certification exam.

See our list of available CNA programs throughout Hawaii. The CNA course list includes several approved CNA training programs, but is not exhaustive and there may be additional programs available as well. Many nursing homes offer qualified CNA programs for individuals seeking employment at that particular nursing facility. We try to keep our listings as updated as possible, but we recommend that students verify current program offerings with each CNA school directly before enrolling.

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How Much Can You Make as a CNA in Hawaii?

The average CNA salary in Hawaii is $52,395 per year. Wages will vary depending on experience, job history, economic conditions, and employer. Depending on level of experience and the climate of the healthcare sector some nursing assistants can earn even higher wages.

How to Become a CNA in Hawaii

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Hawaii you must complete the necessary steps to obtain certification from the Hawaii state board of nursing. The first step is to find and complete an approved CNA training program. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) requires all CNA programs to include a minimum of 75 hours of instruction. Individual states might require additional training beyond the national minimum. Most programs take about 6-12 weeks to finish. The average cost of a CNA training course is between $800 – $1,500. The second step is to take the Hawaii CNA certification exam and achieve a passing score. The third and final step is to register with the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Can I Transfer My CNA License to Hawaii?

If you are a certified nursing assistant from another state and have just moved to Hawaii you can apply to the Nursing Aide Registry in Hawaii for what is called “reciprocity”. As long as you can provide verification that you completed a state approved CNA certification program, are currently certified in another state, and have worked as a CNA recently. You would not need to take the Hawaii exam or training if you are granted reciprocity. All CNA licenses need to be renewed every two years and must have worked a minimum of 160 hours within those two years.

Daily Nurse Assistant Job Duties

To be eligible to work as a CNA in a hospital or clinic, the applicant must be competent (and comfortable with) performing basic medical duties. Some tasks include taking patients’ vital signs, helping doctors with medical procedures, assisting patients with mobility, cleaning up patient rooms, properly monitoring the patients and reporting any changes to the doctors in a timely manner, collecting blood samples for testing, feeding the patients, maintaining records properly, and any other tasks that the hospital or nursing home requires that the CNA to complete.

CNA Training Programs in Hawaii (HI)