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Maryland

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CNA Training in Maryland

Maryland is a state that is both gorgeous and geographically diverse. It is called home by many who commute to Washington DC, but it also has rural areas nestled in the Appalachian Mountains in the west. Maryland is often found at the cutting edge of healthcare, particularly because it is the home of Johns Hopkins, a well-known research center. In fact, Maryland is home to 50 hospitals and over 28,000 nursing homes that serve the population of just under 6 million. With nearly 14 percent of the population older than 65, CNAs have many opportunities in this Atlantic Coast state to find a meaningful career.

About Maryland

– Capital: Annapolis
– Minimum Wage: $8.75
– Number of Hospitals: 50
– Number of Nursing Homes: 28,487

Population

– Total Population: 5,457,173
– Population (ages 45-64): 1,470,329
– Population (ages 65+): 780,142
– Population (ages 85+): 116,662

Top Institutions

– United States Naval Academy
– Johns Hopkins University
– University of Maryland, College Park

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in MD

Choose a Topic of Interest

CNA Training Requirements

Taking the Test (Procedure)

Out-of-State Applicants

Renewing & Expired Certification

Applications & Forms

Contacts & Additional Resources

Maryland has several levels of nurse aides. CNA is the primary level, and those holding this certification must attend a state-approved training program. It is the stepping-stone to other certifications and is also a required certification for nursing students in the state. The next level is the Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA), which is the equivalent to the CNA in most other states. The GNA applicant must also attend a training program and is required to sit for an examination before receiving certification. Other certifications here include Home Health Aide, Dialysis Technician, and Certified Medication Aide. Certified Medication Aides must first be certified as GNAs.

Some state-approved training programs fulfill the requirements for both CNA and GNA simultaneously. However, some students will be required to attend two separate programs. Those applying for GNA training must first hold a CNA certification. They will then need to undergo a full criminal background check and have fingerprints taken. They will also require up-to-date immunizations, a full physical, a negative tuberculosis screening within the past six months, two photos on record and proof of eligibility to work, such as a social security number. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent. CNAs are required to have 100 total hours of training of which 40 must be in a clinical setting. The rest of the hours are spent in the classroom learning basic nursing skills and theory. GNAs undergo additional training hours.

In Maryland, CNAs are not required to sit for an examination; however, GNAs are required to do so. The GNA certification is required for those who work in a licensed facility that provides elder care. Maryland uses the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) through Pearson Vue, which provides skills and knowledge examinations. However, applicants must register through the Red Cross.

The skills examination tests applicants in five randomly selected skills although at least one skill will be taking a patient measurement, such as blood pressure. The written knowledge examination includes 70 multiple-choice questions. Applicants who prefer to take the test orally will receive 60 multiple-choice theory questions as well as ten multiple-choice questions that test basic comprehension.

Students must apply by the 15th day of the month to be scheduled to take the examination the next month. Students will receive a ticket to test about two weeks before their scheduled testing day. The fee to take both parts of the examination is $105. An additional fee applies to receive the certification from the Red Cross, which is $20 initially. After taking the examination, students will find out immediately whether or not they have passed. Those who have not passed can retake each part of the test up to four times total before being required to retrain. Those who are testing again will only need to pay a fee for the section they are taking. The knowledge test costs $35, and the skills test costs $70.

CNAs moving to Maryland from another state can take part in the reciprocity that the Maryland Board of Nursing offers. CNAs must be currently registered as CNAs with another state and must include a copy of the certificate along with the application to the Maryland Board of Nursing. Additionally, applicants must not have any accusations of abuse, neglect or maltreatment of patients on their records. Those who answer yes on the application to any of the disciplinary questions must include a copy of the court records discussing the discipline.

Applicants will receive a Maryland certificate within 45 days. Out-of-state applicants who are not yet listed on their previous state’s registry will need to complete a Maryland-approved training program. The fee for reciprocity is $20.

Maryland residents with GNA licensure must renew their certificates every two years. Those who have just received their certificates may have less time to renew initially because Maryland requires renewal on the 28th day of the month of the individual’s birthday. GNAs can renew anytime from 60 days before this date to 20 days after it before the license is considered expired. To renew, individuals must have worked at least 16 hours in the past two years. Renewals can be done online or by mail and require the inclusion of the applicant’s social security number. Renewal costs $40 and is payable to the Red Cross.

Links
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Maryland Board of Nursing
Nurses Aide Registry
License Verification

Contacts

Maryland Board of Nursing
4140 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-2254
Phone: 888-202-9861
Email: Loretta Barner

Employment Information for MD

Average Salary for CNAs in MD

A nursing assistant in Maryland makes somewhat below average wages when compared with the income per capita of $36,354 per year for state residents. Nursing assistants make an average of $13.82 per hour depending on their skills, experience and place of employment and approximately $28,740 per year on average.

Job Outlook in MD

Maryland offers a moderate number of nursing assistant jobs for the population. However, with 26,520 nursing assistant jobs in a wide range of facilities, including acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and other healthcare agencies, CNAs and GNAs have a variety of options as to how they wish to use their skills. In addition, with over 1.6 million state residents currently between the ages of 45 to 65, there is sure to be an influx of people throughout the state’s healthcare facilities who will require the hands-on care of a nursing assistant within the next decade.

Employment Opportunities

Top Hospitals in Maryland
Hospital NameAddressCityStateZipPhoneWebsite
Johns Hopkins Hospital1800 Orleans StreetBaltimoreMD21287410-955-5000Website
University Of Maryland Medical Center22 South Greene StreetBaltimoreMD21201410-328-8667Website
Mercy Medical Center301 St Paul PlaceBaltimoreMD21202410-332-9000Website
Medstar Union Memorial Hospital201 East University ParkwayBaltimoreMD21218410-554-2000Website
University Of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center7601 Osler DriveTowsonMD21204410-337-1000Website
Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital5601 Loch Raven BoulevardBaltimoreMD21239443-444-8000Website
Greater Baltimore Medical Center6701 North Charles StreetBaltimoreMD21204443-849-2000Website
University Of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus827 Linden AvenueBaltimoreMD21201410-225-8000Website
Holy Cross Hospital1500 Forest Glen RoadSilver SpringMD20910301-754-7000Website
Sinai Hospital Of Baltimore2401 West Belvedere AvenueBaltimoreMD21215410-601-9000Website
Western Maryland Regional Medical Center12500 Willowbrook RoadCumberlandMD21502240-964-7000Website
Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center9000 Franklin Square DriveBaltimoreMD21237443-777-7000Website
Adventist Behavioral Health Rockville14901 Broschart RoadRockvilleMD20850301-251-4500Website
Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital Of Maryland9909 Medical Center DriveRockvilleMD20850240-864-6000Website
Anne Arundel Medical Center2001 Medical ParkwayAnnapolisMD21401443-481-1000Website
Atlantic General Hospital9733 Healthway DriveBerlinMD21811410-641-1100Website
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System2000 West Baltimore StreetBaltimoreMD21223410-362-3000Website
Brook Lane Health Services13218 Brook Lane DriveHagerstownMD21742301-733-0330Website
Calvert Memorial Hospital100 Hospital RoadPrince FrederickMD20678410-535-4000Website
Carroll Hospital200 Memorial AvenueWestminsterMD21157410-848-3000Website
Doctors Community Hospital8118 Good Luck RoadLanhamMD20706301-552-8118Website
Fort Washington Medical Center11711 Livingston RoadFort WashingtonMD20744301-292-7000Website
Frederick Memorial Hospital400 West Seventh StreetFrederickMD21701240-566-3300Website

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