
Maria Delgado, RN
June 23, 2025
The backbone of North Carolina’s direct-care workforce consists of Certified Nursing Assistants who are commonly referred to as CNAs. Short state-approved training allows them to assist nurses by taking vital signs, reporting changes, and providing support with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and helping with safe movement. Their medical support enhances patient comfort and allows licensed personnel to perform complex tasks which improves the overall efficiency of care teams.
Elizabeth City, NC - Public 2-Year - albemarle.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
College of the Albemarle's Nurse Aide Pathway Diploma offers campus-based training focused on essential healthcare support skills, including personal care, vital signs monitoring, and patient communication. It prepares students for Nurse Aide I certification through practical training in medical procedures, covering topics like growth, development, and employment skills. This program is military-friendly and emphasizes comprehensive patient care across various healthcare settings.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Nurse Aide I & II program at College of the Albemarle provides a 160-hour Nurse Aide I and 176-hour Nurse Aide II course, blending classroom, lab, and clinical experiences. Students learn skills such as personal care, vital signs monitoring, and patient communication, preparing them for the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry competency exam. Prerequisites include a high school diploma or GED, and the program is military-friendly, serving as a stepping stone for careers under licensed nursing professionals.
Murphy, NC - Public 2-Year - tricountycc.edu
Concentration: Nurse Aide I - Campus Based - Visit Website
Tri-County Community College's Nurse Aide I program provides comprehensive training for aspiring CNAs, focusing on elderly and adult patient care. Students master essential skills such as nutrition management, patient rights, and specialized procedures, with coursework covering human body systems and effective communication. Clinical experiences prepare graduates for the N.C. Division of Facility Services certification, leading to immediate employment opportunities in healthcare. This campus-based program emphasizes compassionate care and professional team interactions.
Concentration: Nurse Aide II - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Nurse Aide II concentration at Tri-County Community College builds on foundational skills, training students in complex patient care like sterile dressings and tube feeding. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, current Nurse Aide I registry, and CPR certification. This campus-based program offers hands-on training, ensuring readiness for North Carolina certification and swift entry into healthcare roles, with a strong focus on practical, real-world applications.
Concentration: Medication Aide - Campus Based - Visit Website
Tri-County Community College's Medication Aide concentration prepares students for the North Carolina Medication Aide Registry, covering medication administration and legal aspects. A high school diploma or GED is required for this campus-based program, which includes hands-on training for practical skill development. Ideal for those pursuing healthcare careers, it emphasizes real-world application and efficient preparation for certification.
Durham, NC - Public 2-Year - durhamtech.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Durham Technical Community College's Nurse Aide Certificate program offers a short-term, flexible pathway to enter the healthcare field, with both online and campus-based options. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations, learning essential skills like patient care, vital signs, and medical safety. The program requires a minimum of 13 credit hours and has an estimated tuition of $1,122, preparing graduates to pass the NC Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation for registration on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry. Open to applicants aged 16.5 and older, it includes multiple entry requirements but no entrance exam, focusing on practical training for immediate career readiness.
Spruce Pine, NC - Public 2-Year - mayland.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mayland Community College's Nurse Aide Certificate is a 12-credit program offering day and evening options, designed to prepare students for roles such as Nurse Aide I, Geriatric Aide, and Medication Aide. It focuses on developing essential skills in personal care, vital signs, communication, and medical safety across all age groups, equipping graduates for meaningful healthcare careers. The program includes preparation for the NC Nurse Aide I Competency Exam, ensuring readiness for state certification.
Dallas, NC - Public 2-Year - gaston.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Gaston College's Nurse Aide program offers a hybrid format with both online and in-person components, covering essential patient care skills. It includes two levels: Nurse Aide I and II, with tuition costs of $230 and $250. Students must be at least 16.5 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent. The curriculum integrates classroom learning, lab practice, and clinical experiences, preparing graduates for the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. No entrance exams are required, as this is a certificate-level program.
North Carolina allows students to earn their CNA certification through hybrid programs that combine digital learning with necessary in-person practice although full online certification is not permitted. Secure learning platforms deliver theory modules along with quizzes and discussions to students who can access the material during their lunch breaks and late evenings. The practical skills of hand hygiene, body mechanics, and catheter care need direct instructor supervision so programs arrange lab intensives with small groups working on mannequins and peers. Trainees fulfill state requirements through clinical rotations which take place under faculty supervision at licensed facilities for authentic patient experience.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| College of the Albemarle |
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| Lenoir Community College |
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| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | Complete a state-approved 75-hour Nurse Aide I training program and apply for the competency exams within 24 months of program completion |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation – Nurse Aide I Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | 75 hours total, combining classroom instruction, skills lab, and at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice |
| Exam and Application Fees | $25 registry application fee plus vendor-determined fees for the written/oral and skills exams |
| Certification Exam | Pass both the knowledge test (written or oral) and a five-skill practical evaluation, with up to three attempts within the eligibility period |
| Registry Activation Time | Name appears on the registry within two business days of passing both exams |
| Renewal Requirements | Complete at least eight hours of paid nurse-aide work every 24 months to maintain active status |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs submit proof of active, unencumbered certification and pay applicable fees via reciprocity, no retesting required |
North Carolina Certified Nursing Assistants benefit from consistent job market requirements while earning salaries above their training duration. The current survey data shows North Carolina Certified Nursing Assistants earn an average of eighteen dollars per hour which translates to annual salaries reaching around thirty-seven thousand dollars when working full-time. The payment rates for hospitals along with rehabilitation wings and specialty units exceed twenty dollars per hour mainly during night shifts and weekend rotations yet rural long-term care facilities pay slightly lower wages. The combination of initial pay rates, employer-provided sign-on bonuses, and overtime pay along with health benefits leads to higher total compensation for employees.
| Salary & Career Outlook | North Carolina | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $36,400 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $18.42 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$44,876 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $36,400 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$30,323 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~12,400 | ~54,000 |
Data from Salary.com and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| Gaston College |
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| Isothermal Community College |
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| Edgecombe Community College |
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CNA certification serves as the initial step that leads to multiple career progression opportunities in nursing. Working with patients every day helps nursing assistants develop their skills and build their confidence while helping them understand whether they want to pursue further practice as a nurse. Admission to community college Associate Degree in Nursing programs often requires CNA experience because they value the clinical knowledge that comes from bedside care. Several organizations provide financial support for employee education along with adaptable work hours and professional development opportunities to aid CNA-to-LPN or RN career progression. The North Carolina Nurse Aide II credential allows healthcare providers to perform additional skills like sterile dressing changes and oxygen therapy which results in increased responsibilities and compensation.
Additional Nursing Programs in North Carolina
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Concentration: Medication Aide - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Nurse Aide I - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Nurse Aide II - Campus Based - Website
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