If you want to jump ship from your industry and start a career in healthcare, where the job market is rapidly expanding and job security exists, then take some CNA classes in NJ. The New Jersey CNA requirements are not difficult to attain, and the CNA salary in NJ is very comfortable. Once you finish your training, you can get your CNA certification in NJ and happily get hired anywhere in the state for a job that has no change of disappearing any time soon!
The New Jersey Department of Health regulates CNA programs in New Jersey. They maintain the certification registry, process applications for certification examinations, authorize renewals and registries, and set forth the guidelines for acceptable training programs.
New Jersey does not reciprocate CNAs with other states, so you will need to certify specially in this state according to their guidelines.
New Jersey contracts with PSI Exams to administer their CNA certification and competency exams. The PSI website has several practice exams and a handbook of candidate information.
CNA candidates in New Jersey must complete approved training, pass an exam, and clear a background check.
Candidates need to enroll in a state approved Nurse Aid in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) to begin the CNA certification process. New Jersey mandates a 90-hour training program, with 50 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical supervision with real patients in practicing facilities. Nursing homes do not appear on the list, but are permitted to offer programs as well.
Training may be waived if students qualify based on their student or graduate nurse status. Student nurses must apply within a year of completing the Fundamentals of Nursing class. Graduates may apply for their CNA exam while waiting to take the NCLEX for nursing certification. Foreign nurses qualify if they are a licensed professional RN in their country. Military nurse aides, homemaker-health aides, and assistive personnel may also qualify if they can document their completion of a long-term care module core curriculum for unlicensed assistive personnel.
Once you have completed your training or been approved for a training waiver, you must take a two part exam. This exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical (or practical) skills test. Students must pass the skills test before they will be allowed to take the knowledge test.
Candidates are allowed 2 years from the time of completion of their training and 1 year from the time of their first certification attempt to fulfill the examination requirement and pass both parts of the certification exam. If they fail to do so, they will require retraining. They are also only allowed 3 attempts before being required to retrain.
Candidates are allowed 2 years from the time of completion of their training and 1 year from the time of their first certification attempt to fulfill the examination requirement and pass both parts of the certification exam. If they fail to do so, they will require retraining. They are also only allowed 3 attempts before being required to retrain.
Candidates who have been granted waivers must pass on their first attempt. If they fail either evaluation they will need to enroll in an approved training program.
Applicants will also be required to complete a criminal background check. As this process can occasionally take up to 3 months, it is advisable to apply for the background check when you begin your training and let it process while you study.
Students are allowed to work in long-term care facilities for up to 4 months while they are in the process of meeting the requirements to become a CNA. The Department of Health will require a reference letter from a nursing aide instructor or long-term employer.
Out of state CNAs can be certified through reciprocity if their program is determined to be equivalent to New Jersey’s. If the program is not equivalent, the CNA will need to pass the CNA certification examinations in New Jersey, but they will not have to complete a full training program if they pass on their first attempt.
The New Jersey CNA exam is administered by PSI. Students must pass the two-part exam before receiving their CNA certification. The program instructor usually schedules students for their skills evaluation. Once they pass the skills test, they will be allowed to take the written exam.
The skills evaluation will assess their hand washing skill along with 4 random additional skills. Examples include caring for dentures, taking a radial pulse, performing shoulder or knee range of motion exams, and more.
Once students have passed the skills examination, they should contact PSI to schedule their written or oral examination. Scheduling can be done by phone or online. New Jersey is much more flexible than most states, allowing students to schedule their exams as little as a day in advance if there’s room.
You will receive notification of your skills evaluation test score within 10 days of your test date. If you have passed, you can schedule an appointment for your knowledge test with PSI. If you need to cancel or reschedule your test, you must do so 3 days before your exam date either by phone or online. Voicemails are not acceptable cancellations. Missed exams are not allows to retest; exam fees are forfeited. If you are late for your exam, you will not be allowed to take it.
You should arrive early and be prepared to provide 2 valid forms of identification; one of them must be government issued identification with your signature and pho.
Candidates may only take approved items into the testing room. Personal belongings and electronics must be placed in the secure storage provided at the site before entering the exam room. No visitors will be allowed in the exam building so they must wait for you at nearby malls or return when you finish your exam. You may not smoke, eat, or drink at the exam site.
Proctors have the right to examine any jackets, sweaters, ad garments. Candidates may be asked to empty and turn out their pockets, lift their sleeves and pant legs up, and surrender eyeglass frames for inspection before entry into the facility to ensure no recording devices are being taken into the room.
The written exam will be administered with a computer. A tutorial is provided before you begin your test. You are allowed up to 15 minutes to complete the tutorial and that doesn’t count towards your allotted 90-minute exam time. Your score will be available immediately following your exam.
New Jersey is a bit backwards in that you must pass the skills test first and then the written exam, and the sills evaluation is the cheaper of the 2 exams.
In New Jersey, it costs $23 to take the skills exam and $53 o take the written knowledge exam, for a total of $76. If you need to request an oral knowledge exam, that will cost $67, for a total exam cost of $90 for both. Re-testing fees for the written exam are $53; it’s $67 for an oral retest, and $23 for a skills retest. If you are recertifying, then you will be charged a $30 recertification fee. Reciprocity examinations are also $30 if necessary.
A lot of CNA programs work with PSI to offer the exams at the end of their program. If this is the case, you may be able to take your certification exams on site at your regular facility. If not, there are several test centers throughout the state. Students can take their test in Brick, Cherry Hill, Mercerville, Linwood, North Brunswick, New Providence, Parsippany, Rochelle Park, or Secaucus.
As of July 30, 2019, New Jersey CNAs make around $35,000.
This is an exceptionally high salary compared to the national average.
The expected salary range is between $32,000 and $39,000.
Now you see how easy it is to get a CNA license in New Jersey! If you’re ready to start your CNA training in New Jersey, then this is the list you’re looking for. These CNA classes in NJ offer the best path to CNA certification in NJ. This list will definitely have local area CNA programs in NJ no matter what part you’re from.
Bergen’s CNA program is 23 sessions. Tuition is less than $2,000 and includes textbooks, uniform, and all certification fees. They offer daytime and evening classes in both Paramus and Hackensack, NJ. The program is 90 hours, consisting of class time and clinical supervision. It prepares students for the CNA examination with 40 hours of clinical rotation at a long-term care facility nearby.
Brookdale’s CNA/CHHA program prepares nurse aides for examinations and gets them ready for a career in long term care. It also serve as a prerequisite fulfillment for the Brookdale nursing Program, so students wishing to continue their education can go right into the Nursing school.
The NJ Department of Health and Senior Services regulate Camden County’s CNA program.
It teaches the fundamentals of nursing care and builds competency for the CNA exams. It counts as 4 college credits. Tuition does not include the certification fee.
Essex County offers several Allied Health certification programs, and their CNA course is fantastic.
They offer flexible class schedules and payment plans to help with tuition costs.
While you’re there, go ahead and grab your 1-day CPR for Healthcare Providers certification for only an extra $95.
