Jake Flannigan, NP
June 23, 2025
The Kansas healthcare system depends heavily on Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to function properly. Patients receive basic medical care from CNAs who assist nurses with their work and perform essential tasks such as helping patients with eating, bathing, and assisting them with movements. The patient safety and comfort depends heavily on CNAs who work in multiple healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies.
Arkansas City, KS - Public 2-Year - cowley.edu
Concentration: Certified Nursing Assistant - Campus Based - Visit Website
Cowley County Community College's Certified Nursing Assistant program offers comprehensive training for aspiring healthcare aides, focusing on skills to support vulnerable populations in various care settings. Clinical practice in local long-term care facilities prepares graduates for roles with elderly, disabled, and recovering patients. Kansas residents may qualify for the Kansas Promise Act Scholarship, covering costs, and additional certifications in home health and medication administration enhance career opportunities. This campus-based program provides a practical and accessible entry into the healthcare field.
Concentration: Home Health Aide - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Home Health Aide concentration at Cowley County Community College prepares students to assist elderly, convalescent, or disabled individuals in home settings through hands-on clinical practice. Emphasizing immediate workforce readiness, the program includes opportunities for scholarships like the Kansas Promise Act, making it cost-effective for Kansas residents. This campus-based training focuses on essential care skills, offering a direct path to a rewarding career in home healthcare without requiring entrance exams.
Concentration: Certified Medication Aide - Campus Based - Visit Website
Cowley County Community College's Certified Medication Aide program specializes in medication administration for long-term care, providing hands-on training with experienced instructors. Campus-based resources support fast-track career preparation, with financial aid options including the Kansas Promise Act Scholarship for eligible students. Focused on patient care and medication management, this program equips graduates for roles in healthcare settings without entrance exam requirements, emphasizing practical skills and accessibility.
Concordia, KS - Public 2-Year - cloud.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Cloud County Community College offers a hybrid Certified Nurse Aide program, blending 90 hours of online coursework with hands-on clinical sessions. This comprehensive training prepares students for state certification and immediate entry into healthcare roles, with a focus on patient care skills for nursing homes and hospitals. The program is military-friendly and eligible for financial aid, providing a flexible path to a rewarding career in nursing assistance.
Fort Scott, KS - Public 2-Year - fortscott.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Fort Scott Community College's Geriatric Certified Nurse Aide program is a 90-hour state-regulated course designed to prepare students for careers in elderly patient care. It combines lecture, laboratory training, and clinical experience to develop essential nursing skills, with a focus on holistic care, professional communication, and safety. Open to students aged 16 and older who pass a TB screening, this program benefits from a 17% projected job growth in the healthcare sector, making it an excellent entry point for those dedicated to geriatric services.
Liberal, KS - Public 2-Year - sccc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Seward County Community College provides a campus-based Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, ideal for quick entry into healthcare. With RN instructors offering clinical expertise, students gain hands-on training through supervised clinical courses, preparing them for Kansas state certification. This full-time program in the Allied Health Division emphasizes compassionate patient care skills without requiring entrance exams, making it accessible for aspiring nursing assistants.
Goodland, KS - Public 2-Year - nwktc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Northwest Kansas Technical College offers a Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) program with a KDADS-approved 90-hour curriculum. Designed for students aged 16 and older, it includes classroom learning, hands-on lab skills, and mandatory clinical experiences in healthcare facilities. The program prepares graduates for the Kansas State CNA certification exam, covering essential patient care techniques and physical requirements. Tuition is $775, with potential coverage through Excel in CTE, making it an accessible path to entry-level medical careers without requiring entrance exams.
Kansas students can access online CNA programs that cover theory instruction during their training. Students can take their patient care technique, infection control, and anatomy classes through online learning platforms. According to Kansas state law clinical training must take place in person at approved healthcare facilities to allow students to develop their skills through hands-on patient interaction. The educational programs provide students with the option to study theory lessons online while they complete their clinical hours during weekends or evenings. Students who want to enter healthcare but have other responsibilities find this learning approach suitable. The state of Kansas requires students to complete in-person clinical training as an essential component of their CNA education despite the growing availability of online learning programs.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Cowley County Community College |
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| Northwest Kansas Technical College |
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| Salina Area Technical College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 16 (parental consent if 16–17), government-issued ID, SSN, application submitted, cleared state and federal background checks |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | 90-hour KDADS-approved course split between classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice |
| Exam and Application Fees | $20 application fee, exam vendor fees ~$38–45, retests require another application fee plus exam fees |
| Certification Exam | Written/oral knowledge test and five-skill practical evaluation, to be passed within 12 months of training start |
| Registry Activation Time | Results posted online within one week, certification card issued within ten business days |
| Renewal Requirements | Complete eight hours of paid CNA work every 24 months, lapses over two years require a 21-hour refresher course |
| Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs apply via reciprocity form with a $20 fee and may challenge the exam without further training |
The typical hourly compensation for CNAs working in Kansas stands at $17.75 while full-time annual salaries reach approximately $36,000. The compensation for CNAs depends on their work location since Kansas City and Topeka offer better pay rates than other areas. Rural areas of Kansas pay slightly less but provide enough employment possibilities. CNA staff members who choose to work night or evening shifts at their facilities receive shift pay in addition to their base compensation. The Kansas labor market requires more Certified Nursing Assistants because the state faces an aging population combined with insufficient healthcare personnel. The healthcare sector in Kansas employs CNAs at hospitals and nursing homes as well as home health agencies and hospices which creates expanding job opportunities for this field.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Kansas | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $32,600 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $15.68 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$38,700 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $32,600 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$27,500 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~3% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~2,800 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud County Community College |
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| Cowley County Community College |
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| Northwest Kansas Technical College |
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The majority of Kansas CNAs seek career progression by obtaining additional education and receiving certifications. A typical career progression for CNAs starts with Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training before moving on to Registered Nurse (RN) studies. Most LPN and RN training programs throughout Kansas welcome CNA students who have clinical experience since it provides solid patient care knowledge. Several Kansas educational programs provide transition programs for CNAs who want to move into LPN or RN training. CNA professionals who earn certification as Certified Medication Aide (CMA) or Home Health Aide (HHA) gain access to advanced positions. Healthcare facilities across Kansas provide financial support for education along with career advancement opportunities to help CNAs continue their studies while maintaining employment.
Additional Nursing Programs in Kansas
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Concentration: Certified Medication Aide - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Certified Nursing Assistant - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Home Health Aide - Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
