Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is considered a safe and reliable career.
It’s suitable for people who are passionate about helping others.
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) oversees the training and certification of aspiring nurse aides.
You can only be a CNA in the state if you have:
- Completed the state-approved training
- Passed the Kansas Nurse Aide Test (KNAT)
- Been added to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry (KNAR)
Table of Contents
Taking on a CNA Training Program in Kansas
Because you’ll provide direct patient care to residents, KDADS requires you to undergo CNA training.
The program will run for 90 hours, with 45 hours spent for clinical training at any of these places:
- Adult care home
- Long-term care hospital unit
- Simulated laboratory
In Kansas, an aspiring CNA is divided into two categories:
- Nurse aide trainee I (NAT I)
- Nurse aide trainee II (NAT II)
You’ll be considered a NAT I when you complete the 90-hour program showing initial competency.
You’re a NAT II when you get employed for the purpose of receiving further clinical experiences in learning nursing skills.
This employment as a NAT II will only be valid for four months.
During that period, you can only provide direct patient care under the supervision of either:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
Additionally, out-of-state CNAs, LPNs, RNs, or mental health technicians can be considered NAT II if they:
- Have been employed as a nurse aide in their state of origin
- Completed training and competency exams equivalent to those given in Kansas
Below is a list of state-approved CNA schools you can consider enrolling into.
28 CNA Schools in Kansas
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Allied Health Career Training LLC | Wichita, KS 67213 |
Barton Community College | Great Bend, KS 67530 |
Bethel House Training Institute | Wichita, KS 67208 |
Butler County Community College of Andover | Andover, KS 67042 |
Cloud County Community College | Concordia, KS 66901 |
Cowley County Community College - Winfield Center | Winfield, KS 67156 |
Delores Homes Training Center | Kansas City, KS 66112 |
Dodge City Community College | Dodge City, KS 67801 |
Flint Hills Technical College | Emporia, KS 66801 |
Garden City Community College | Garden City, KS 67846 |
Highland Community College | Highland, KS 66035 |
Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS 67501 |
Independence Community College | Independence, KS 67301 |
JCCC Health Occupations Department | Olathe, KS 66061 |
Kansas College Of Nursing - Lenexa | Lenexa, KS 66216 |
Kansas Medical Training College | Olathe, KS 66061 |
Leonardville Nursing Home | Leonardville, KS 66449 |
Manhattan Area Technical College | Manhattan, KS 66503 |
Mid-America College of Health Sciences | Merriam, KS 66204 |
Midwestern Overland Park Campus | Overland Park, KS 66212 |
Neosho County Community College - Chanute | Chanute, KS 66720 |
North Central Kansas Technical College at Hays | Hays, KS 67601 |
Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS 66762 |
Pratt Community College | Pratt, KS 67124 |
Trinity Career Institute - Lawrence | Lawrence, KS 66046 |
Washburn Tech East | Topeka, KS 66607 |
We Care Online LLC | Wichita, KS 67218 |
WSU Tech | Wichita, KS 67226 |
Evaluating a CNA Candidate
To evaluate a CNA candidate, KDADs will measure your competency through KNAT.
Note that only NAT II who has successfully completed the competency evaluation
program task checklist can take the exam.
The state test is a written test with 100 multiple-choice questions.
You must score at least 75% to pass it.
If you fail, you must retake it.
You only have three attempts to secure a passing score.
Otherwise, you will have to take a refresher course and enter a new testing cycle.
If You’re from Out-of-State…
According to the Kansas Administrative Regulation, you can become a CNA directly if there’s verified reciprocity.
If there isn’t, then you will have to take KNAT.
Do note that you only have one chance to challenge and pass KNAT.
If you don’t pass it, then you would have to undergo the Kansas CNA training program.
You also have three attempts to pass the exam within 12 months from the date you began the training program.
If You’re a Non-native English Speaker…
During the exam, KDADS will allow you to:
- Use a bilingual dictionary to help you understand the questions
- Have an extended exam time of two hours
KNAT Fees
NAT II taking the exam will have to pay the following:
- Initial exam fee – $20
- Exam retake fee – $20
Both fees are nonrefundable.
Also, there may be a chance that the health care facility you’re working at may cover the exam fees.
Application Process
Any NAT II eligible to take the exam will have their application processed by the training facility.
Their instructor will submit to the testing facility the following:
- Application form
- Application fees
- Class roster
- Accommodation requests form
The testing facility’s coordinator will then submit a copy to KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing.
Potential Salary
Like every occupation, a CNA’s salary depends on many factors, such as:
- Individual skillset
- Workplace and nature of work
- Years of experience
As of this writing, the current average annual salary amounts to $30,016.
The table below shows the salary information of CNAs in Kansas.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of CNAs in Kansas
City Name | Salary |
---|---|
Wichita | $30,458 |
Overland Park | $30,955 |
Kansas City | $31,050 |
Topeka | $29,570 |
Olathe | $30,871 |
Lawrence | $30,046 |
Shawnee | $30,955 |
Salina | $30,142 |
Manhattan | $29,253 |
Hutchinson | $30,142 |
Regional Salary
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lawrence, KS | 470 | $35,330 | $16.99 | $38,590 | $31,090 |
Manhattan, KS | 520 | $35,680 | $17.16 | $43,310 | $29,890 |
Topeka, KS | 2,100 | $36,120 | $17.37 | $41,870 | $30,990 |
Wichita, KS | 4,870 | $35,000 | $16.83 | $42,890 | $30,320 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.