CNA Classes & Programs in Council Bluffs, Iowa
1 state-approved CNA program in Council Bluffs, including free, online, 4-week and evening options.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
CNA training in Council Bluffs
- Programs
- 1
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $37,340
- $17.95 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 20,160
- across Iowa
- Healthcare facilities
- 11
- 6 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 3 home health agencies
- Population
- 62,670
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
On this page
What brings you here?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Council Bluffs features 1 CNA program, making it a convenient location for those interested in entering the healthcare field as a nursing assistant. With its strategic position along the Missouri River and close proximity to Omaha, Council Bluffs provides aspiring CNAs with access to training that meets Iowa's state standards.
In addition to the available program, individuals can take advantage of online and free CNA classes, as well as accelerated options. Local healthcare facilities—including multiple nursing homes, hospitals, and home health agencies—create job opportunities for new graduates. Statewide in Iowa, CNAs earn around $37,340 annually, according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). City-specific salary data is not available, so statewide figures provide the best reference.
CNA programs in Council Bluffs prepare students for certification and employment within local healthcare settings. The city's training options support those seeking to start a career as a certified nursing assistant in Iowa.
Get Info from CNA Schools in Council Bluffs
Fill in the short form to get information from CNA schools that serve Council Bluffs, such as cost, schedules and start dates.
CNA program search
✓ Free Service✓ No Obligations✓ Compare Multiple Programs
We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Browse CNA Classes in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs provides 1 free CNA training program designed to qualify students for Iowa state certification. Students can also access online and accelerated options, helping them build essential skills and prepare for immediate employment as certified nursing assistants. Flexible features ensure readiness for CNA certification and job opportunities throughout Council Bluffs.
Program Types in Council Bluffs
| Type | In Council Bluffs | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 1 program | Iowa Western Community College ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 1 program | Iowa Western Community College ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 1 program | Iowa Western Community College ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 1 program | Iowa Western Community College ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
The CNA program in Council Bluffs
Iowa Western Community College
CostFreeHours76Weeks3
- Address
- 2700 College Rd, Box 54-C, Council Bluffs, IA 51502
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (712) 325-3259
- Schedule
- Evening classes
Iowa Western’s CNA program is offered frequently in day, evening, and hybrid formats, with classroom, lab, and clinical components led by registered nurses. Education 2 Employment funding may provide free tuition for eligible Iowa residents.
Visit websiteCost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.
CNA Programs Near Council Bluffs
Looking for more options near Council Bluffs?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Major Iowa cities
- Des Moines1 program
- Cedar Rapids3 programs
- Davenport1 program
- Iowa City1 program
- West Des Moines3 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in Council Bluffs
| Median annual pay | $37,340 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $17.95 |
| CNA jobs across Iowa | 20,160 |
| Salary region | Iowa (statewide) |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in Council Bluffs are consistently available due to the presence of hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies serving both residents and the broader region. Employment opportunities span acute care hospitals and long-term care settings, making Council Bluffs accessible for certified nursing assistants seeking work.
City-specific wage data is not available; therefore, statewide figures serve as the benchmark. Statewide in Iowa, CNAs earn around $37,340 per year (approximately $17.95 per hour), based on BLS OEWS (May 2023). City-level median salaries have not been published, so statewide information provides the best available reference point for those considering this career locally.
Council Bluffs is home to a variety of CMS-certified healthcare employers. Notable facilities include Prairie Gate, a non-profit corporation nursing home with 72 beds; Chapters Living of Council Bluffs; Bethany Lutheran Home; North Crest Living Center; Midlands Living Center; Methodist Jennie Edmundson hospital; Chi Health Mercy Council Bluffs; Angels Care Home Health of Iowa; Aveanna Home Health; and Open Arms Home Health Care - Council Bluffs. These organizations represent some of the larger and well-established providers employing CNAs throughout the city.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Council Bluffs (6 facilities)
6 nursing homes in Council Bluffs providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)
| Nursing home | Beds | CNA hrs/day |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Gate16 Valley View Drive(712) 352-6600Map | 72 | 3.2 |
| Chapters Living Of Council Bluffs3000 Risen Son Boulevard(712) 938-1075Map | 102 | 3.0 |
| Bethany Lutheran HomeSeven Elliott Street(712) 328-9500Map | 121 | 2.7 |
| North Crest Living Center34 Northcrest Drive(712) 328-2333Map | 62 | 2.6 |
| Midlands Living Center L L C2452 North Broadway(712) 323-7135Map | 94 | 2.4 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Council Bluffs (2 facilities)
2 hospitals in Council Bluffs offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Methodist Jennie EdmundsonAcute Care Hospitals · 933 East Pierce Street(712) 396-6000Map | 4/5 |
| Chi Health Mercy Council BluffsAcute Care Hospitals · 800 Mercy Drive(712) 328-5000Map | 3/5 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Council Bluffs (3 facilities)
3 home health agencies in Council Bluffs providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 3 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa1601 Mcpherson Avenue Ste 500(712) 352-3640Map | 4.5/5 |
| Aveanna Home Health535 W Broadway Suite 201(712) 325-8989Map | 3.5/5 |
| Open Arms Home Health Care - Council Bluffs, Llc2306 Sherwood Drive(712) 322-1000Map | – |
Sources
- Salary Data: BLS OEWS (May 2023)
- Healthcare Facilities: CMS (July 2025)
Working in Nearby Cities and Other States
Working in Nearby Cities
Looking beyond Council Bluffs? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Atlantic, Woodbine, Whiting, Sioux City, and Benton, or browse the Iowa CNA programs page for more options.
Working in Other States
Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.
Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA
If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.
Requirements to Work as a CNA in Council Bluffs, IA
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Council Bluffs, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Iowa. These include completing an Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL)–approved 75-hour nurse aide training course, passing the written and skills competency examinations, and being placed on the Iowa Direct Care Worker (DCW) Registry.
- At least 75 total hours of training, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical training — or challenging the competency examination without first completing the course, as Iowa allows
- Completion of 16 hours of required instruction before any direct resident care
- Passing both the written knowledge exam (70 questions, 60 minutes, 70% to pass) and the in-person skills exam, with up to three attempts on each
- Written exam offered through Headmaster (TMU) or Credentia; skills exam taken in person at a community college or approved provider
- Placement on the Iowa Direct Care Worker (DCW) Registry maintained by DIAL, with a six-digit registry number
Once placed on the registry, you may work as a CNA in nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and other Iowa long-term care settings throughout Council Bluffs and across Iowa. Iowa's CNA certification does not expire, but to keep active registry status you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work every 24 months, reported to DIAL by an Iowa employer.
Already certified in another state? Iowa offers registry-based reciprocity for CNAs active and in good standing on another state's registry. Applicants apply through the Iowa DCW Registry's online system, where DIAL verifies their out-of-state registry information, and may then work in Iowa nursing facilities without repeating Iowa's training and testing pathway. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Iowa guide.
For complete details on training, testing, maintaining active registry status, and reciprocity, see our full CNA License & Registration in Iowa guide.
Career Growth & Advancement
Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:
- Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
- Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
- Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
- Opportunities in healthcare administration or education
Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in Council Bluffs.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Council Bluffs
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Council Bluffs?
Most CNA programs in Council Bluffs can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 3 weeks, at Iowa Western Community College.
How much does CNA training cost in Council Bluffs?
The CNA program in Council Bluffs is free or employer-paid.
Are there free CNA classes in Council Bluffs?
Yes. Iowa Western Community College offers free or employer-paid CNA training. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Council Bluffs?
Yes. Iowa Western Community College offers a hybrid option, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Council Bluffs?
Yes. Iowa Western Community College is an accelerated program. Accelerated programs usually take 3 to 5 weeks, depending on class schedules and clinical requirements.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Council Bluffs there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Atlantic, Woodbine, Whiting, Sioux City and Benton. You can also look at the Iowa state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Iowa CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Iowa, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Iowa CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Council Bluffs?
CNAs in Council Bluffs are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 6 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 3 home health agencies in Council Bluffs. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.