Often thought of as a vacation destination, Hawaii is an exciting place to live. With a warm climate and gorgeous jungle and mountain scenery, each of Hawaii’s diverse islands is fun to explore. Of course, the most populous city is Honolulu, where many of the CNA jobs can be found. However, Mililani and Pearl City also have numerous hospitals and long-term care facilities. In fact, the state is home to 25 hospitals and over 4,000 nursing homes. In between work hours, CNAs will be able to explore many sites of historical and geographical significance, such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Diamond Head as well as the USS Arizona Memorial and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
– Capital: Honolulu
– Minimum Wage: $8.50
– Number of Hospitals: 25
– Number of Nursing Homes: 4,215
– Total Population: 1,419,561
– Population (ages 45-64): 357,988
– Population (ages 65+): 228,154
– Population (ages 85+): 36,891
– University of Hawaii, Manoa
In Hawaii, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations works with the state’s Nurse Aide Registry to regulate CNA training and testing. State-approved training programs must have at least 100 hours of training. Of these hours, 30 must be spent in the classroom learning CNA theory, and the other 70 must be spent practicing clinical skills in local healthcare facilities under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Some programs offer more hours than this, such as the American Red Cross with 130 hours; a longer program may be advantageous to CNAs, who plan to move to a different state.
Potential students must be at least 18 years old but are not required by state or federal law to have high school diplomas. However, students with high school diplomas or GEDs may find it easier to get into certain training programs than others do; in addition, they often make higher salaries and have more jobs open to them when compared to those without diplomas. Those without diplomas typically have to take the TABE test to check basic math and reading comprehension.
Students must also have clean criminal records as well as good health. They will need to have a current criminal background check performed using fingerprints and a Hawaii photo ID. They will need to be healthy overall and be able to lift at least 40 pounds. They must have up-to-date immunizations, including MMR, hepatitis B, meningitis and varicella. Finally, students will need negative tuberculosis tests or negative chest x-rays.
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs works with Prometric for its competency evaluations. It uses a two-part format to test both CNA knowledge and skills. All new CNAs must pass this examination before receiving their certifications. Also, CNAs who allow their certifications to lapse must retest. Tests may be taken at many training sites as well as at additional regional sites.
Students will begin with the knowledge test, which is taken with pencil and paper. However, students with disabilities or who speak English as a second language may request to take the test orally but must do so at least 30 days before the testing date. The knowledge section has 60 multiple-choice questions, which must be answered in 90 minutes or less.
Next, students will take the skills examination, which is a hands-on test performed on a volunteer actor. Students will need to demonstrate five skills total, which must all be passed for them to pass the skills section. Three of the skills will be randomly selected; the other two skills are hand washing and indirect care. Students will have between 31 to 40 minutes to complete this section.
Students must pass both sections in three or fewer attempts and within 24 months from completing training to avoid having to retrain. Test results are available online 48 to 72 hours following the test. The fee to take both parts of the test is $200 for the written version and $210 for the oral version.
CNAs moving to Hawaii from a different state can apply for reciprocity. They must be active and in good standing with their former states and must not be on their state’s abuse registry. Individuals will need to complete the application and send it to Prometric with copies of their current certifications. Prometric will then contact the previous state for verification. Some applicants will be added directly to the state’s Nurse Aide Registry while others will be required to complete the Hawaii competency evaluation first. The fee for reciprocity is $25. Those applying for reciprocity who are not currently active in their former state must take the competency evaluation.
Hawaii CNAs need to renew their certifications every two years to remain active on the state’s registry. To be able to renew, CNAs must work for pay at least eight hours every 24 months and will need to provide proof of employment. Those who work in non-Medicaid-licensed facilities must also complete 24 hours of continuing education in this period. Individuals will need to submit their renewal applications at least 30 days prior to their expiration dates to ensure that the paperwork is processed in time. Those who allow their certifications to lapse must retake the competency evaluation. CNAs with lapsed certifications who attended a training program that is not currently on the state-approved list must retrain and retest. The cost for renewal is $25.
Links
Hawaii State Department of Health
Professional & Vocational Licensing
Nurse Aide Registry
Verify your CNA license
Contacts
Prometric
HI Nurse Aide
354 Uluniu Street, Suite 308
Kailua, HI 96734
Phone: 800-967-1200
Hospital Name | Address | City | State | Zip | Phone | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Queen'S Medical Center | 1301 Punchbowl Street | Honolulu | HI | 96813 | 808-538-9011 | Website |
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center | 3288 Moanalua Road | Honolulu | HI | 96819 | 808-432-0000 | Website |
Castle Medical Center | 640 Ulukahiki Street | Kailua | HI | 96734 | 808-263-5500 | Website |
Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua | 45-547 Plumeria Street | Honokaa | HI | 96727 | 808-775-7211 | Website |
Hawaii State Hospital | 45-710 Keaahala Road | Kaneohe | HI | 96744 | 808-236-8237 | Website |
Hilo Medical Center | 1190 Waianuenue Avenue | Hilo | HI | 96720 | 808-932-3000 | Website |
Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health | 91-2301 Old Fort Weaver Road | Ewa Beach | HI | 96706 | 808-671-8511 | Website |
Kahuku Medical Center | 56-117 Pualalea Street | Kahuku | HI | 96731 | 808-293-9221 | Website |
Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital | Waimea Canyon Road | Waimea | HI | 96796 | 808-338-9431 | Website |
Kau Hospital | 1 Kamani Street | Pahala | HI | 96777 | 808-928-2050 | Website |
Kohala Hospital | 54-383 Hospital Road | Kohala | HI | 96755 | 808-889-6211 | Website |
Kona Community Hospital | 79-1019 Haukapila Street | Kealakekua | HI | 96750 | 808-322-9311 | Website |
Kuakini Medical Center | 347 North Kuakini Street | Honolulu | HI | 96817 | 808-536-2236 | Website |
Kula Hospital | 100 Keokea Place | Kula | HI | 96790 | 808-878-1221 | Website |
Lanai Community Hospital | 628 Seventh Street | Lanai City | HI | 96763 | 808-565-8450 | Website |
Leahi Hospital | 3675 Kilauea Avenue | Honolulu | HI | 96816 | 808-733-8000 | Website |
Maui Memorial Medical Center | 221 Mahalani Street | Wailuku | HI | 96793 | 808-244-9056 | Website |
Molokai General Hospital | 280 Home Olu Place | Kaunakakai | HI | 96748 | 808-553-5331 | Website |
North Hawaii Community Hospital | 67-1125 Mamalahoa Highway | Kamuela | HI | 96743 | 808-885-4444 | Website |
Pali Momi Medical Center | 98-1079 Moanalua Road | Aiea | HI | 96701 | 808-486-6000 | Website |