Top nursing assistant programs in Montana

The demand for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Montana is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. In fact, the Montana Department of Labor projects a 22% statewide increase in demand for CNAs, making this career path a very attractive one.

Despite filling an entry-level job, a certified nursing assistant holds several key roles in her daily work. Through both theoretical and practical courses, a CNA is trained to assist patients with daily needs like grooming, bathing, and completing household tasks. They are also equipped with essential healthcare skills such as CPR, bed mobility, and ambulation. Nursing assistants are therefore a crucial part of any patient care team.

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CNA certificate programs are short, typically several weeks to a few months in length, and they are significantly less expensive than prelicensure programs for other nursing roles. They are thus a viable option for aspiring nurses who face significant time or financial constraints. Montana’s CNAs earn a median annual salary of about $24,000, and top performers can earn $28,000 or more per year.

Highlands College of Montana Tech offers an excellent CNA certificate program which opens for enrollment three times a year. Tuition fees are considerably lower than other technical programs, varying from $100 to $400 per credit hour. Students can graduate from the course in just one semester of study, after successfully passing both school-based and Montana CNA certification exams. Highlands College graduates can seek employment with Montana’s major healthcare providers, including Genesis HealthCare and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

We provide additional information below on Montana’s top nursing assistant programs.