This document provides information about becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Wisconsin. It describes the duties of a CNA as taking vital signs, assisting with exercises and daily living activities, and working under medical supervision. It outlines the requirements to become a CNA, which include completing an approved training program and passing a competency exam. The career outlook is positive with 20% expected job growth through 2020. Progression pathways include becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse with further education.

1. Becoming a CNA in
Wisconsin
J. Johnson Education Center, Milwaukee, WI

2. What Does a CNA Do?
 Certified Nursing Assistants take temperatures, pulse,
respiration; help patients with range-of-motion
exercises; and assist patients with their daily living
needs.
 Certified Nursing Assistants perform much-needed tasks,
such as serving meals, making beds, and helping
patients eat, dress, and bathe.
 CNAs work under the supervision of nursing and medical
staff and are important members of the health care
team.

3. Is CNA Work for Me?
 Q: Are you compassionate and have a genuine interest
in helping people?
Bottom line if you don’t have this interest, it will show in your work. It won’t
be long before you leave your job or you are asked to leave.
 Q: Are you patient?
Sometimes your patient/client or their family members can be difficult and it
will be necessary for you to remain calm and patient. If you can’t this may
not be the career for you.
 Q: Are you dependable?
Patients/clients may need care 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a
day to assist them with activities of daily living. You are vital to their well-
being and it is therefore essential to be there for ALL assigned shifts.
 Q: Can you work with diverse populations?
Patients/clients may hold views or may act in ways that are different
from or conflict with your own views or actions. You must be able to put
that aside and deliver top-notch care compassionately.
 Q: Are you flexible?
Schedule and patient care plan changes can happen quickly and without
warning because of changing needs. Can you change with it? If not this may
not be the career for you.

4. How Do I Become a CNA?
New Nurse Aide
 You must successfully complete a Wisconsin approved nurse
aide training program.
 You must take and pass the NNAAP Examination.
 If you fail all, or just part of, the NNAAP Examination, you may
schedule a re-take examination.
 You are only required to re-take the part you failed (i.e., either
the Skills Evaluation or the Written (or Oral) Examination).
Lapsed Nurse Aide
 You must have previously been included on the Wisconsin
Nurse Aide Registry, but your eligibility to work in certain
federally certified facilities has expired because you have
not met the nurse aide employment requirement.
 You must take and pass the NNAAP Examination.
Other Eligibility Routes

5. Career Pathways for CNA
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6. CNA Career Outlook
 Employment of CNAs is expected to grow by 20 percent
from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all
occupations.
 Because of the growing elderly population, many CNAs
will be needed in long-term care facilities, such as
nursing homes.
 Growth in the demand for healthcare services should
lead to increased opportunities for CNAs in other
industries as well, such as hospitals and clinics.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Nursing Aides,
Orderlies, and Attendants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm(visited December 26, 2012).

7. Similar Occupations
Jobs with duties similar to CNA/nurse aides are:
 Home Health Aide
 Personal Care Worker
 Medical Assistant
 Registered Nurse
 Physical or Occupational Therapist

8. Resources
 J. Johnson Education Center
 Approved Wisconsin Nurse Aide Training Programs
 Candidate Handbook
 Application for Competency Evaluation
 Regional Test Sites and Test Schedules
 Practice Exam (Written)
 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook for CNA