Being a home health aide is a great way to make a difference in people’s lives.
However, to get started, you need a road map of how to step into the career.
That’s why this guide was created – to help you make a clear plan for becoming a home health aide in North Dakota.
Page Navigation
- 5 Home Health Aide Schools in North Dakota
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I really have to attend a program to become a home health aide in North Dakota?
- What’s the best way to prepare for the North Dakota CNA Test?
- How hard is it to pass North Dakota’s CNA exam?
- How often does a CNA certification need to be renewed in North Dakota?
- Doesn’t North Dakota have degrees specifically for home health aides?
5 Home Health Aide Schools in North Dakota
To work as a home health aide in North Dakota, you need to start with two basic steps:
- Complete a 75-hour training program
- Pass the North Dakota competency evaluation
At this time, home health aide isn’t a separate certification in North Dakota, but the following five nursing certification programs provide the training you need and can help you pass your evaluation.
1. Bismarck State College
With Bismarck State College, you can be ready to enter the home health aide field in just a couple of months.
This program requires 80 hours, and there are two separate ways to achieve this.
The first option is a fully in-person non-credit schedule that includes 41 hours of classroom instruction, 19 hours of supervised practical training, 16 clinical hours, and a four-hour review.
The second option lets you complete the classroom instruction online, but you’ll still have to go in person for four days of classroom time and 16 clinical hours.
The in-person program is $625 and the hybrid program is $650 – both of these costs include the textbook.
2. North Dakota State College of Science
North Dakota State College of Science offers a certified nursing assistant course that is a favorite among nursing residents.
It requires a total of 81 hours, which comes as a combination of online training and on-site skills instruction.
The great thing about this course is that it doesn’t meet every business day.
Typically, you’ll only have class three times a week, allowing you more time to study and take care of other obligations.
How fast you complete this program will depend on which schedule it follows, but night classes that meet three times each week are done in two months or less.
It’s also affordable, costing students only $599, which covers tuition and books.
3. Williston State College
Williston State College also offers a blended CNA Training program that leaves a bit of wiggle room for students with busy calendars.
It’s broken down into three portions that must be completed within three months of registration.
It begins with an online, self-paced portion, which allows you plenty of time to study.
Next is the classroom/clinical portion, which takes two weeks to complete.
Last is the knowledge and practical skills testing.
Please note that while you do have some freedom with this program, you should still be mindful of your deadline.
Consider spending no more than two months on the online portion so that you have plenty of time for the classroom/clinical portion and to retake the test if you need.
This program costs $800, plus a $200 test fee.
4. Dakota Travel Nurse Inc
If you can commit a bit more time to your education, consider Dakota Travel Nurse courses for your CNA training.
It’s a 78-hour program that is held Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm.
You’ll also have to complete two nine-hour lab days and then a test, all of which you can do in less than a month.
The course costs $550 and the test is $260 – all of which adds up to less than $1,000.
5. Lake Region State College
For those interested in continually climbing the healthcare ladder, consider attending Lake Region State College for a practical nursing certificate.
It’s an 11-month program that can not only prepare you to be a home health aide but also to move into other healthcare positions or RN degrees.
This practical nursing program currently costs $1350 and financial aid is available.
Home Health Aide Schools in North Dakota – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in North Dakota
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Bismarck State College | 1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58506 |
North Dakota State College of Science | 800 6th St N, Wahpeton, ND 58076 |
Williston State College | 1410 University Ave, Williston, ND 58801 |
Dakota Travel Nurse Inc | 1200 Collins Ave, Mandan, ND 58554 |
Lake Region State College | 1598 United States, 1801 College Dr N, Devils Lake, ND 58301 |
Salary
Home health aides in North Dakota typically make between $24,221 and $28,944, with an annual average of $26,083.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Home Health Aides in North Dakota
City Name | Salary |
---|---|
Fargo | $25,914 |
Bismarck | $26,411 |
Minot | $25,997 |
Mandan | $26,411 |
Grand Forks | $24,364 |
West Fargo | $25,914 |
Dickinson | $25,997 |
Williston | $25,997 |
Wahpeton | $25,500 |
Jamestown | $25,749 |
Regional Salary in North Dakota
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bismarck, ND | 1,540 | $36,930 | $17.75 | $44,920 | $29,770 |
Fargo, ND-MN | 2,780 | $36,890 | $17.74 | $44,430 | $31,200 |
Grand Forks, ND-MN | 1,160 | $37,350 | $17.96 | $45,760 | $29,560 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really have to attend a program to become a home health aide in North Dakota?
Yes and no.
Some people provide home health services to individuals without completing a program, but it’s either on a very informal basis or they receive training through the organization they work for.
However, agencies that receive any type of federal funding require home health aides to have education and training.
The bottom line is that completing a program makes you a bit more marketable when you’re searching for a job – not to mention it helps you better prepare for your work.
What’s the best way to prepare for the North Dakota CNA Test?
In addition to completing your program, take some time to study the ND Nursing Assistant Candidate Handbook.
Pay extra close attention to the 24 skills and the steps in bold for each.
How hard is it to pass North Dakota’s CNA exam?
There are two parts to the exam: a multiple-choice knowledge test and a skills test.
The skills test is usually the most difficult part to pass because you are assigned random skills to test on.
To pass, you have to know each of the key steps of those skills, and many testers do not recall the information as well as they need to.
How often does a CNA certification need to be renewed in North Dakota?
You’ll need to renew your certification every two years.
You should receive a reminder in the mail two months prior to your renewal deadline, but it’s best to set your own reminder.
Doesn’t North Dakota have degrees specifically for home health aides?
Most states do not have a separate degree for home health aides, though the reason this is the case might vary among these states.
All that’s really required, though, is a specific amount of training for the skills you need – and a CNA certificate covers those skills.
Providing a separate degree is not necessary.
And the upside is that when you get your CNA certification, you have even more options for where to work.