CNA Classes & Programs in Ruston, Louisiana
2 state-approved CNA programs in Ruston, including free options. 4-week and online programs are offered in other Louisiana cities.
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CNA training in Ruston
- Programs
- 2
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $29,070
- $13.98 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 17,740
- across Louisiana
- Healthcare facilities
- 7
- 3 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 2 home health agencies
- Population
- 22,282
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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What brings you here?
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Ruston offers 2 CNA programs supporting individuals interested in joining Louisiana’s healthcare workforce through formal nurse aide training close to home. As a college town known for its educational focus and community spirit in north-central Louisiana, Ruston’s programs give residents an accessible path toward entering this vital field.
The city’s CNA courses are structured to equip students with practical skills necessary for success on state exams and real-world patient care responsibilities upon graduation. Local employment options exist at facilities like Princeton Place-Ruston and Ruston Nursing And Rehabilitation Center—both CMS-certified—and Northern Louisiana Medical Center or Serenity Springs Specialty Hospital serving diverse patient populations nearby.
Statewide in Louisiana, CNAs earn around $29,070 each year according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). For those seeking affordable entry into nursing assistant roles here in Ruston, free CNA classes are also available locally.
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Browse CNA Classes in Ruston
Ruston offers 2 CNA training programs that prepare candidates for Louisiana certification and registry placement. Students benefit from options including free CNA training that supports exam readiness while enabling access to jobs where certified aides play an important role meeting local healthcare demand across multiple facility types throughout Ruston.
Program Types in Ruston
| Type | In Ruston | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 1 program | Ruston High School ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | Not in Ruston | See other Louisiana cities → |
| Online or hybrid | Not in Ruston | See other Louisiana cities → |
| Evening or weekend | Not in Ruston | See other Louisiana cities → |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
Both CNA programs in Ruston
Lowest published cost first.
Ruston High School
CostFreeHours–Weeks–
- Address
- 900 Bearcat Drive, Ruston, LA 71270
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (318) 255-0807
Ruston High School offers a CNA course within its Health Sciences pathway for students, with program and testing provided at no cost.
Visit websiteLouisiana Delta Community College - Ruston Campus
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1010 James Street, Ruston, LA 71273
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (318) 345-9005
The Career and Technical Certificate in Nurse Assistant provides classroom instruction and supervised clinical training in OBRA-required skills and basic patient care. Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in long-term care, hospitals, and home health.
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.
Not sure which of the 2 programs fits you?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major Louisiana cities
- New Orleans7 programs
- Baton Rouge8 programs
- Shreveport12 programs
- Metairie1 program
- Lafayette4 programs
- Lake Charles6 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in Ruston
| Median annual pay | $29,070 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $13.98 |
| CNA jobs across Louisiana | 17,740 |
| Salary region | Louisiana (statewide) |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in Ruston are part of a steady demand across area hospitals and long-term care facilities, where certified nursing assistants contribute essential support services daily throughout Lincoln Parish communities such as Ruston itself. Specific employment figures for Ruston are not provided, but the need for CNAs remains consistent in the region.
CNA salary in Ruston is best represented by statewide data: CNAs in Louisiana earn around $29,070 annually or $13.98 per hour based on BLS OEWS (May 2023). City-specific salary benchmarks may vary depending on employer type or experience but generally align closely with these reference figures until more localized statistics become available.
CMS-certified facilities hiring CNAs locally include Princeton Place-Ruston (123 beds), Ruston Nursing And Rehabilitation Center (157 beds), Alpine Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation (144 beds), Northern Louisiana Medical Center—a proprietary acute care hospital—and Serenity Springs Specialty Hospital focused on psychiatric services, alongside reputable home health agencies like Elara Caring and Lagniappe Homecare Northern Louisiana operating within city limits.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Ruston (3 facilities)
3 nursing homes in Ruston providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton Place-Ruston1405 White Street(318) 255-4400Map | 123 | 2.4 |
| Ruston Nursing And Rehabilitation Center,Llc3720 Hwy 80 East(318) 255-5001Map | 157 | 2.3 |
| Alpine Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation2401 North Service Road(318) 255-6492Map | 144 | 2.1 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Ruston (2 facilities)
2 hospitals in Ruston offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Northern Louisiana Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 401 East Vaughn Avenue(318) 254-2100Map | 3/5 |
| Serenity Springs Specialty HospitalPsychiatric · 1495 Frazier Road(318) 202-3860Map | – |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Ruston (2 facilities)
2 home health agencies in Ruston providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Elara Caring206 E. Reynolds Ste. D-1(318) 322-5461Map | 4.5/5 |
| Lagniappe Homecare Northern Louisiana2310 Commons Curt(318) 202-2730Map | 3.5/5 |
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 Ruston? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Monroe, Jonesboro, Farmerville, Grambling, and West Monroe, or browse the Louisiana 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 Ruston, LA
To work as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Ruston, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Louisiana. These include completing a Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)–approved Nurse Aide Training Program, passing the state competency evaluation administered by Prometric or the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), and being listed on the Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide Registry (LCNAR).
- At least 80 total hours of training (40 classroom hours and 40 clinical hours in a nursing home or hospital-based skilled nursing facility unit)
- Completion of 16 hours of instruction before any direct resident contact
- Minimum age of 16 years old to enroll as a nurse aide trainee
- Passing both the knowledge test (60 questions, 90 minutes) and the clinical skills evaluation (five nurse aide skills)
- Up to three opportunities within one year of completing training to pass the competency evaluation before retraining is required
- Placement on the Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide Registry (LCNAR) maintained by LDH
Once certified, you may work in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, and other approved healthcare settings throughout Ruston and across Louisiana. Certification is valid for two years, and to remain certified you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related services every 24 months in an approved setting, reported to the registry by an employer.
Already certified in another state? Louisiana offers reciprocity for CNAs currently certified and in good standing on another state's registry, without completing Louisiana training or taking the competency evaluation. Reciprocity applications are processed through Prometric, which verifies the application before forwarding it to LDH for placement on the Louisiana registry. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Louisiana guide.
For complete details on training, testing, certification maintenance, and reciprocity, see our full CNA License & Registration in Louisiana 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 Ruston.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Ruston
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Ruston?
Most CNA programs in Ruston can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule.
How much does CNA training cost in Ruston?
Prices differ by school, so ask the CNA programs in Ruston directly for their current costs. One program is free or employer-paid. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Ruston?
Yes. Ruston High School 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 Ruston?
No program in Ruston is listed with online classes. Online and hybrid programs are offered in other Louisiana cities. Clinical training is always in person.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Ruston?
No 4-week program is listed in Ruston. 4-week CNA programs are offered in other Louisiana cities, usually in 3 to 5 weeks.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Ruston there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Monroe, Jonesboro, Farmerville, Grambling and West Monroe. You can also look at the Louisiana state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Louisiana CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Louisiana, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Louisiana CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Ruston?
CNAs in Ruston are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 3 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 2 home health agencies in Ruston. 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.