Thomas Reed, RN
June 24, 2025
The official training program for Certified Nursing Assistants in Ohio provides caring caregivers with essential skills to maintain daily patient care which supports Ohio’s healthcare operations. Graduates work in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, assisted-living residences and home-care agencies where their consistent presence enables them to detect minor health changes in residents.
Mansfield, OH - Public 4-Year - ncstatecollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
North Central State College's State Tested Nurse Assistant (STNA) Certificate offers an accelerated pathway into healthcare, strategically designed for students seeking rapid professional entry. Spanning just 6 credit hours, the program delivers comprehensive training through classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experiences, emphasizing critical patient care techniques and emergency response skills. Uniquely positioned with career center partnerships, students receive Ohio Board of Health certification and concurrent CPR training. The curriculum prepares graduates to provide essential patient care under licensed nursing supervision, creating a solid foundation for future healthcare career advancement and potential progression into advanced healthcare educational programs.
Perrysburg, OH - Public 2-Year - owens.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Owens Community College's Nurse Assistant Training/Home Health Aide Certificate stands out as a meticulously structured 75-hour program targeting aspiring healthcare professionals. Strategically designed to equip students with comprehensive patient care skills, the curriculum balances 59 hours of lecture and skills lab with 16 hours of critical clinical training. Ohio Department of Health approved, the program prepares students for diverse healthcare environments including long-term care, hospitals, hospice, and home health settings. Graduates are thoroughly prepared to successfully complete the Ohio Competency Evaluation Exam, positioning themselves for immediate entry into meaningful healthcare careers with a strong foundation in essential nursing assistant competencies.
Piqua, OH - Public 2-Year - edisonohio.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Edison State Community College's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program delivers an intensive, efficient training pathway designed to rapidly integrate students into Ohio's healthcare workforce. Students benefit from a meticulously structured curriculum combining rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experiences. The program's accelerated format enables learners to quickly acquire essential nursing skills, positioning graduates for immediate employment in diverse healthcare settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies. Experienced instructors guide students through comprehensive training, ensuring they meet stringent state certification requirements and are prepared to excel in entry-level patient care roles.
Canton, OH - Private 2-year - rosseducation.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Ross College's Nursing Assistant Training Program delivers an intensive two-week curriculum designed to rapidly transform students into skilled healthcare professionals. Through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training, students master critical patient care techniques, including resident management, vital sign assessment, and effective interpersonal communication. The program's accelerated format provides 6.5 clinical training hours, ensuring graduates are comprehensively prepared for certification exams and immediate employment in diverse healthcare environments like hospitals, nursing homes, and home care services.
The state of Ohio prohibits fully virtual CNA courses because patient contact needs to be conducted in person but blended learning programs have become more prevalent. Secure online portals allow working students to complete their theory education after their daily responsibilities through video demonstrations, quizzes, and lectures provided by providers. Students must complete skills labs and clinical rotations at on-campus facilities or partner sites to develop correct care methods for actual residents. The availability of evening and weekend classes helps students who work during the week to enroll in the program.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Edison State Community College |
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| North Central State College |
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| Owens Community College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 16, HS diploma/GED, required immunizations and good health, clear criminal background check, and graduation from an approved CNA program |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Ohio Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | Minimum 75-hour Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program, combining classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice |
| Exam and Application Fees | Knowledge test $26, oral test $36, skills test $78, fees paid directly to the exam vendor |
| Certification Exam | Pass both the written/oral competency test and the five-skill practical evaluation within your eligibility period |
| Registry Activation Time | Added to the registry within two business days of passing both exams |
| Renewal Requirements | Every two years, complete 48 hours of in-service training and at least one eight-hour day of paid CNA work, $65 renewal fee |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs can transfer via reciprocity by submitting proof of active, unencumbered certification, no retesting or fees required |
The combination of population aging and growing home-care services in Ohio drives consistent demand for certified nurse aides. Full-time certified nurse aides can earn salaries in the upper thirty-thousand-dollar range due to their average hourly wages being in the high teens. Metropolitans and government-funded facilities within hospitals provide the highest compensation to certified nurse aides. The availability of shifts at all times allows workers to select their preferred working hours which include days, nights, weekends and rotating shifts. Long-term-care staffing will continue to expand throughout at least 2033 according to state labor projections because older adults prefer home-based care over institutional care. New entrants find the position delivers stable income along with good benefits at large institutions while gaining essential hands-on experience that benefits their professional development.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Ohio | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $37,544 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $18.05 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$45,460 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $37,544 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$30,020 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~12,400 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| North Central State College |
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| Edison State Community College |
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| Owens Community College |
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CNA certification functions as both an occupational credential and a starting point for career progression. Nursing programs throughout Ohio provide preference to applicants who present their nurse-aide work experience because they understand patient contact develops essential communication skills and time management abilities along with compassion. After gaining their LPN certification in twelve months candidates can access expanded clinical duties that result in greater earning potential. The pathway to registered nursing includes bridge programs that allow practical nurses to earn their associate or bachelor’s degree by accepting prior experience and coursework credits. The combination of tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, and mentoring programs supported by employers enables CNAs to advance their careers. Healthcare facilities provide their staff members with career advancement opportunities by offering patient-care technician roles as well as medication aide positions and unit coordinator positions which enhance their patient care expertise.
Additional Nursing Programs in Ohio
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