CNA Classes & Programs in West Des Moines, Iowa
3 state-approved CNA programs in West Des Moines, including online, 4-week and evening options. Free programs are offered in other Iowa cities.
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CNA training in West Des Moines
- Programs
- 3
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $38,000
- $18.27 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 3,820
- in the Des Moines-West Des Moines region
- Healthcare facilities
- 11
- 5 nursing homes and 6 home health agencies
- Population
- 68,744
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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What brings you here?
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West Des Moines offers 3 state-approved CNA classes for those interested in starting a career as a certified nursing assistant. The city provides options designed to fit different learning preferences and schedules, supporting individuals who want to work directly with patients in healthcare settings throughout the area.
CNA programs in West Des Moines feature online and accelerated formats to meet varying needs. These training programs help students gain essential skills required for certification while preparing them to contribute effectively across nursing homes or home health agencies located nearby. Graduates often transition smoothly into local job openings after completing their studies.
In the Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area, which includes West Des Moines, CNAs earn around $38,000 annually according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). Local facilities continue to hire graduates from CNA courses as part of their ongoing staffing needs.
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Browse CNA Classes in West Des Moines
Students in West Des Moines can choose from 3 CNA classes—including online and accelerated options—that train them for Iowa CNA certification and practical job readiness. These programs focus on building skills needed both for certification exams and immediate employment opportunities throughout the region’s healthcare sector.
Program Types in West Des Moines
| Type | In West Des Moines | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | Not in West Des Moines | See other Iowa cities → |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 1 program | AM Training Institute ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 3 CNA programs in West Des Moines
Lowest published cost first.
AM Training Institute
Cost$680Hours75Weeks2
- Address
- 7300 Westtown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (515) 224-3908
- Schedule
- Evening classes
AM Training Institute offers a 75-hour CNA program with day and evening cohorts, delivered in a hybrid format with classroom and clinical instruction. Options include 2-, 3-, and 4-week schedules with 30 clinical hours.
Visit websiteAmerican Institute of Caring
Cost$725Hours75Weeks2
- Address
- 1801 25th St., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (515) 661-6730
75-hour CNA course with in-person lecture, simulation lab, and supervised clinical experiences in Des Moines-area facilities. Typical cohorts run 2 weeks Monday–Friday 8:00am–5:00pm.
Visit websiteHealth Tech Associates
Cost$895Hours75Weeks–
- Address
- 1441 29th St., Suite 303, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (515) 537-1000
75-hour CNA program; tuition and books are included with online coursework plus required labs/clinicals. TB testing is required prior to clinicals.
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.
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
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Major Iowa cities
All Iowa cities with CNA programs →CNA Employment Opportunities in West Des Moines
| Median annual pay | $38,000 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $18.27 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 3,820 |
| Salary region | Des Moines-West Des Moines |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in West Des Moines are supported by a regional workforce of approximately 3,820 CNAs employed across various healthcare settings in the Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area. This workforce helps deliver patient care throughout long-term care facilities and home health services within the metro region.
The median CNA salary in West Des Moines reflects regional earnings trends: In the Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area, CNAs earn around $38,000 per year or about $18.27 per hour according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). This figure is slightly above the statewide median of $37,340 annually, suggesting somewhat higher earning potential compared to other parts of Iowa.
CNA positions in West Des Moines are available at CMS-certified nursing homes such as Harmony West Des Moines (113 beds), Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center (140 beds), Cedar Ridge Village (40 beds), Edgewater—a Wesleylife Community, and Arbor Springs Of West Des Moines (56 beds). Home health agencies like Aveanna Healthcare and Faith Home Health Care also play significant roles in employing newly certified assistants across the city’s growing healthcare sector.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in West Des Moines (5 facilities)
5 nursing homes in West Des Moines 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Arbor Springs Of West Des Moines L L C7951 E P True Parkway(515) 223-1135Map | 56 | 4.8 |
| Cedar Ridge Village8950 Coachlight Drive(515) 369-2100Map | 40 | 2.8 |
| Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community9225 Cascade Avenue(515) 978-2395Map | 40 | 2.5 |
| Harmony West Des Moines5010 Grand Ridge Drive(515) 222-5991Map | 113 | 2.4 |
| Pine Acres Rehabilitation And Care Center1501 Office Park Road(515) 223-1223Map | 140 | 2.3 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in West Des Moines (6 facilities)
6 home health agencies in West Des Moines providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Aveanna Healthcare2900 Westown Pkwy, Suite 200(515) 497-7700Map | 4.5/5 |
| Faith Home Health Care4800 Mills Civic Pkwy Ste 202(515) 644-5164Map | 4.0/5 |
| Iowa Home Care, L L C2500 University Avenue(515) 222-9995Map | 2.0/5 |
| Suncrest Home Health5959 Village View Drive Suite 100(515) 327-6026Map | 2.0/5 |
| Aveanna Healthcare2900 Westown Parkway Suite 210(515) 497-7730Map | – |
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 West Des Moines? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, and Creston, 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 West Des Moines, IA
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines 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
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in West Des Moines
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in West Des Moines?
Most CNA programs in West Des Moines can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 2 weeks, at AM Training Institute.
How much does CNA training cost in West Des Moines?
CNA programs in West Des Moines cost between $680 and $895, depending on the school. The lowest-priced paid option is AM Training Institute at $680. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in West Des Moines?
No program in West Des Moines is listed as free. Free CNA classes are offered in other Iowa cities. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in West Des Moines?
Yes. 2 programs in West Des Moines offer hybrid options, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in West Des Moines?
Yes. 2 programs in West Des Moines are accelerated. 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 West Des Moines there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston and Creston. 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 West Des Moines?
CNAs in West Des Moines are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 5 nursing homes and 6 home health agencies in West Des Moines. 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.