Iowa basically prefers previous experience to work in the hospitals, instead of High School diploma from nurse aides. But completion of GED and High School diploma is the selection criteria for numerous CNA schools in IOWA.

CNA schools in Iowa provides 75 hours of written and skill training programs, which include 30 hours of clinical training. It is also necessary for these schools to get approval for their training programs from Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA). The successful completion of DIA approved training program from these schools allows a student to sit for the Certification exam. The student must pass competency evaluation written and skill test, which gets them listed with IOWA Nurse Aide Registry. The National Association for Home Care offers national certification for home health aides.

The duration of training program is nearly 4 to 6 weeks depending upon the schools, you are applying for. If a student is hard up of time and can not attend regular classes in campus based training programs, he or she can easily apply for the online classes, which provides flexible timing and the training can be completed at leisurely homely or free hours.

In Iowa, Nursing and psychiatric aide training is offered in high schools, vocational-technical centers, long term nursing care facilities and some community colleges. The courses offered in these schools and training institutes covers nutrition, anatomy, physiology, body functioning, interpersonal skills, infection control and resident rights. Personal care skills, such as grooming of patients are also taught as a part of training curriculum.

Even, University of Iowa in partnership with Iowa Lakes Community College and Western Iowa Tech Community College and the Iowa Community College Online Consortium has started their own online training programs for the aspiring students.

It is also to be noted that a student with previous working experience may not complete training program but can take competency test. But, it is also necessary that if a student is seeking employment at non-certified facility or agency, he/she needs to contact the Department of Inspections and Appeals at 515-281-4115 and find out their requirements for the employment.

Any student planning to get foothold in nursing care field and plan to start their career in this field can attend 75 hour CNA training program in DIA approved school and pass the Direct Care Worker’s Registry exam (Nurse Aide Registry exam), which can facilitate their admission to numerous RN and LPN programs offered by these schools.

CNA Schools in Iowa:

Northeast Iowa Community College – Calmar
P.O. Box 400, Calmar, IA 52132

Northeast Iowa Community College CNA Course – Peosta
10250 Sundown Road, Peosta, Iowa 52068

Belmond-Klemme Community School District
411 10th Ave., NE, Belmond, IA 50421

North Iowa Area Community College Nurse Aide Program – Mason City
500 College Drive, Mason City, Iowa 50401

Iowa Lakes Community College – Spirit Lake
800 21st Street, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Iowa Lakes Community College CNA Training Course – Algona
2111 Highway 169 North, Algona, Iowa 50511

Iowa Lakes Community College Nurse Aide Training Course – Emmetsburg
3200 College Drive, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Iowa Lakes Community College CNA Program – Estherville
300 South 18th Street, Estherville, Iowa 51334

Iowa Lakes Community College – Spencer
1900 North Grand Ave., Spencer, IA 51301

Northwest Iowa Community College Nurse Assistant Program – Sheldon
603 West Park Street, Sheldon, Iowa 51201

Iowa Central Community College Nurse Aide Training Program – Fort Dodge
One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Iowa Valley Continuing Education CNA Training Program – Marshalltown
3702 South Center Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158

Marshalltown Community College
3700 South Center Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158

Scott Community College Urban Center – Davenport
306 West River Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52801

Clinton Community College Nurse Aide Training
1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton, IA 52732

Muscatine Community College
152 Colorado St., Muscatine, Iowa 52761

Scott Community College Career Assistance Center – Davenport
627 West 2nd Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801

Genesis Medical Clinic – DeWitt
1008 11th Street, DeWitt, IA 52742

Kirkwood Community College Nurse Aide Program – Cedar Rapids
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Kirkwood Community College CNA Program – Lincoln Center
912 18th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404

DMACC Nurse Assistant Program – Ankeny Campus
2006 South Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50023

DMACC – Boone Campus
1125 Hancock Drive, Boone, IA 50036

DMACC Nurse Aide Training Program – Carroll Campus
906 North Grant Road, Carroll, Iowa 51401

DMACC Nursing Assistant Program – Newton Campus
600 North 2nd Ave. West, Newton, Iowa 50208

DMACC CNA Course – Urban/Des Moines Campus
1100 7th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

DMACC Nurse Aide Program – West Campus
5959 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266

Western Iowa Tech Community College – Sioux City
4647 Stone Avenue, Sioux City, IA 51102

Iowa Western Community College Nurse Aide Training Course – Council Bluffs
2700 College Rd., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51502

Indian Hills Community College CNA Training Program – Ottumwa
525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501