Maria Delgado, RN
June 23, 2025
The healthcare system of New York depends heavily on Certified Nursing Assistants who serve as vital members of their workforce. Patients receive hands-on assistance from Certified Nursing Assistants who work under the direction of licensed nursing staff. CNAs support their patients by helping them perform bathing routines, eating meals, dressing, and moving around. The role of CNA remains essential for delivering patient care at long-term facilities including nursing homes and hospitals as well as home healthcare settings. Patient comfort and dignity maintenance during treatment or recovery becomes possible through the assistance of these healthcare professionals.
Suffern, NY - Public 2-Year - sunyrockland.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Rockland Community College's Certified Nurse Aide Training Program offers an accelerated pathway into healthcare, designed for aspiring nursing professionals seeking rapid entry into the field. This meticulously crafted program delivers comprehensive training through innovative hybrid learning models, blending theoretical instruction with immersive clinical experiences. Students gain proficiency in critical patient care techniques, communication strategies, and professional healthcare protocols without prerequisite barriers. The affordable $1,600 program duration spans just a few months, enabling rapid workforce integration. Graduates receive robust preparation for state certification exams, positioning themselves strategically within diverse healthcare environments ranging from hospitals to long-term care facilities.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rockland Community College's hybrid Certified Nurse Aide Training Program represents a flexible, accessible approach to healthcare professional development. By eliminating prerequisite requirements and offering both in-person and online learning formats, the program democratizes medical education. Students engage in comprehensive skill development covering essential patient care methodologies, infection control protocols, and interpersonal communication techniques. The strategically designed curriculum, priced at $1,600, ensures students can efficiently transition into healthcare roles. Graduates emerge fully prepared to challenge state certification examinations, with practical experience that distinguishes them in competitive medical employment landscapes.
Bayside, NY - Public 2-Year - qcc.cuny.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
CUNY Queensborough Community College offers a robust Certified Nursing Assistant program meticulously designed to launch healthcare professionals into the field. Students benefit from a dynamic hybrid learning environment blending online coursework with hands-on clinical training. The comprehensive 120-hour program covers essential patient care techniques, anatomy, and critical healthcare protocols. Participants gain practical skills through an integrated externship, preparing them comprehensively for the New York State certification exam. With flexible scheduling options and a total program cost of $1,650, this pathway provides an accessible entry point into nursing assistance, targeting students with high school diplomas or GED credentials seeking rapid healthcare career advancement.
Garden City, NY - Public 2-Year - ncc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Nassau Community College's Certified Nursing Assistant program delivers an intensive 120-hour training designed to launch aspiring healthcare professionals into clinical practice. Students navigate comprehensive coursework split between rigorous classroom instruction and immersive clinical experiences, gaining comprehensive patient care competencies. The program strategically prepares participants for the New York State certification exam through meticulous skills training in patient documentation, vital sign monitoring, and compassionate care techniques. With a structured curriculum emphasizing hands-on learning, students develop critical medical communication skills applicable across diverse healthcare environments. The program's robust framework ensures graduates are thoroughly equipped to provide high-quality, professional patient assistance in hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory care settings.
Middletown, NY - Public 2-Year - sunyorange.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Orange County Community College's CNA program offers an efficient pathway into healthcare, delivering comprehensive training through a 15-week intensive curriculum. Students receive rigorous instruction blending classroom learning with practical clinical skills development. The program uniquely prepares participants for diverse healthcare environments like hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies. With no prerequisite requirements and an affordable $1,999 total cost, the program provides an accessible entry point for aspiring healthcare professionals. Learners master critical patient care techniques including personal hygiene management, vital sign monitoring, and specialized elderly care approaches. The evening class schedules accommodate working students, creating flexible educational opportunities in the nursing assistance field.
Utica, NY - Public 2-Year - mvcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mohawk Valley Community College's Certified Nursing Assistant program offers an accelerated, non-credit pathway into healthcare support roles. Designed for rapid professional entry, this practical training equips students with essential patient care skills across diverse medical settings. The program focuses on hands-on learning, enabling participants to quickly obtain professional credentials without extensive academic commitment. Ideal for individuals seeking immediate career opportunities, the course provides comprehensive foundational knowledge in nursing assistance, emphasizing direct patient interaction, clinical procedures, and professional healthcare communication techniques.
The clinical training portion of CNA programs in New York State needs to happen in person although some educational institutions provide hybrid learning programs. The online delivery of theory-based instruction allows students to finish some parts but they must complete hands-on learning at healthcare facilities. The New York State Board of Nursing demands that CNA training includes at least 30 hours of clinical practice in person so online certification is not feasible. The hybrid learning format provides students with flexibility through its combination of online and in-person instruction. The schedule of evening and weekend classes at various schools helps nontraditional students to attend classes.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Mohawk Valley Community College |
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| Nassau Community College |
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| Rockland Community College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 16 to enroll (17 to test), valid photo ID/SSN, cleared criminal background & health screenings, up-to-date immunizations, and CPR certification |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | New York State Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | Complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program of at least 100 hours, including a minimum of 30 supervised clinical hours |
| Exam and Application Fees | No state application fee, Prometric competency exam fees vary by vendor (typically $100–150 for written/oral plus skills) |
| Certification Exam | Pass the Prometric-administered written or oral competency test and the five-skill practical evaluation within your eligibility period |
| Registry Activation Time | Registry is updated within two business days of passing both exam components |
| Renewal Requirements | Complete at least 400 hours of paid nurse-aide work under RN/LPN supervision within the prior 24 months |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs with active, unencumbered certification apply via reciprocity through Prometric, no retesting required |
New York State offers certified nursing assistants both solid employment prospects and well-paying salaries. CNAs in New York state earn salaries above the national average because their average annual compensation reaches $42,000. Metropolitan areas including New York City and Long Island pay certified nursing assistants the highest wages in the state with salaries exceeding $21 per hour. The pay in rural areas falls short of metropolitan salaries yet exceeds typical starting wages for other entry-level positions. The requirement for certified nursing assistants will expand substantially because of a rising senior population along with the growing need for long-term care services.
| Salary & Career Outlook | New York | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $38,900 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $18.71 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$46,500 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $38,900 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$32,200 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~28,000 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mohawk Valley Community College |
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| Orange County Community College |
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| Rockland Community College |
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The CNA certification serves as an entry point for healthcare professionals to progress toward better positions in their field. The majority of certified nursing assistants move forward to achieve licensure as practical nurses before becoming registered nurses. Working as a CNA provides essential experience in patient care along with clinical procedures that make it easier to advance to higher nursing roles. Some New York healthcare employers provide educational assistance programs which help CNAs pursue further training through their facility-based tuition assistance or bridge programs. Working CNAs can use these opportunities to gain extra credentials as they keep working in their current positions. The healthcare industry offers training programs for medication technicians as well as phlebotomy which allows CNAs to transition into these fields.
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