CNA Classes & Programs in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

6 state-approved CNA programs in Cape Girardeau, including free options. 4-week and online programs are offered in other Missouri cities.

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CNA training in Cape Girardeau

Programs
6
state-approved
Median CNA pay
$35,020
$16.84 an hour
CNA jobs
710
in the Cape Girardeau region
Healthcare facilities
11
6 nursing homes, 3 hospitals and 2 home health agencies
Population
39,795
residents

Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).

On this page
  1. Get info from schools
  2. CNA classes in Cape Girardeau
  3. Jobs and pay
  4. Working nearby
  5. Requirements
  6. Career growth
  7. FAQ

What brings you here?

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Cape Girardeau offers 6 CNA programs designed to help individuals begin careers as certified nursing assistants within this southeast Missouri river city setting. Known as an important regional center along the Mississippi River, Cape Girardeau supports aspiring healthcare workers through accessible education options tailored toward patient care roles.

The city’s CNA courses include one free training opportunity among other standard formats that focus on practical skill-building required by employers across local hospitals and long-term care centers. In Cape Girardeau itself, CNAs typically earn around $35,020 per year—a figure slightly below Missouri’s median but reflective of prevailing wages within this community’s medical sector.

CNA training programs here emphasize readiness for state certification while helping students transition into meaningful work supporting residents throughout Cape Girardeau’s network of accredited medical providers.

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Browse CNA Classes in Cape Girardeau

Students in Cape Girardeau can choose from 6 CNA programs that prepare them for Missouri certification through engaging classes focused on job readiness skills. Options include one free program alongside traditional offerings—each structured to qualify candidates efficiently so they can contribute effectively upon entering patient care positions after completing their chosen class or program track.

Program Types in Cape Girardeau

TypeIn Cape GirardeauWhere to look
Free or employer-paid1 programMissouri Veterans Home - Cape Girardeau ↓
4-week (accelerated)Not in Cape GirardeauSee other Missouri cities →
Online or hybridNot in Cape GirardeauSee other Missouri cities →
Evening or weekendNot in Cape GirardeauSee other Missouri cities →

A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.

All 6 CNA programs in Cape Girardeau

Lowest published cost first.

Missouri Veterans Home - Cape Girardeau

Nursing Home · Cape Girardeau, MO 63701FreeEmployer-sponsoredCostFreeHours175Weeks6
Address
2400 Veterans Memorial Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
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Earn While You Learn CNA trainee program: a paid 6-8 week course with classes and testing completed at the facility plus on-the-job training.

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Cape Girardeau Career & Technology

Vocational College · Cape Girardeau, MO 63703Cost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
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CTC offers a Certified Nurse Assistant program through Adult Education with classroom, lab, and clinical training preparing students for entry-level patient care roles.

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Chateau Girardeau

Nursing Facility · Cape Girardeau, MO 63703Cost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
3120 Independence Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
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Chateau Girardeau is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.

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Heartland Care & Rehab Center

Nursing Facility · Cape Girardeau, MO 63701Cost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
2525 Boutin Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
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Heartland Care & Rehabilitation lists Nurse Aide training available; call the facility for details.

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Lutheran Home

Nursing Home · Cape Girardeau, MO 63703Faith-basedCost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
2825 Bloomfield Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
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Lutheran Home is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.

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Ratliff Care Center

Nursing Home · Cape Girardeau, MO 63701Cost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
717 N. Sprigg St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Open in Google Maps

Ratliff Care Center is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.

Cost, 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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CNA Employment Opportunities in Cape Girardeau

CNA pay and jobs in Cape Girardeau
Median annual pay$35,020
Median hourly pay$16.84
CNA jobs in the region710
Salary regionCape Girardeau

Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.

CNA jobs in Cape Girardeau are supported by approximately 710 certified nursing assistants working across various healthcare institutions, including hospitals, skilled nursing homes, and specialty providers serving both city residents and neighboring communities along the Mississippi River corridor.

The CNA salary in Cape Girardeau is around $35,020 annually—or about $16.84 per hour—according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). This regional figure is slightly below the current statewide median of $36,260 but remains representative of wage patterns observed locally among entry-level patient care staff working under licensed nurses or physicians throughout Cape Girardeau County facilities.

Larger CMS-certified employers include Lutheran Home (274 beds), Fountainbleau Lodge (33 beds), Chateau Girardeau (75-bed nonprofit provider), Ratliff Care Center (46 beds), Heartland Care And Rehabilitation Center (102 beds), Mercy Hospital Southeast—a key acute care provider—Saint Francis Medical Center, Southeast Behavioral Hospital specializing in psychiatric services, and Grace Reliant Health Services, which offers proprietary home health services supporting patients beyond traditional institutional settings within Cape Girardeau's medical network.

Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Cape Girardeau (6 facilities)

6 nursing homes in Cape Girardeau 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 homeBedsCNA hrs/day
Lutheran Home, The2825 Bloomfield Road(573) 335-0158Map2742.9
Fountainbleau Lodge2001 North Kingshighway(573) 335-1999Map332.8
Chateau Girardeau3120 Independence Street(573) 335-1281Map752.7
Ratliff Care Center717 North Sprigg(573) 335-5810Map462.2
Heartland Care And Rehabilitation Center2525 Boutin Drive(573) 334-5225Map1022.1

Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Cape Girardeau (3 facilities)

3 hospitals in Cape Girardeau offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 3 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)

HospitalRating
Mercy Hospital SoutheastAcute Care Hospitals · 1701 Lacey St(573) 334-4822Map2/5
Saint Francis Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 211 St Francis Dr(573) 331-3000Map2/5
Southeast Behavioral HospitalPsychiatric · 639 South Silver Springs Road(573) 708-5000Map–

Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Cape Girardeau (2 facilities)

2 home health agencies in Cape Girardeau providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)

Sources

Working in Nearby Cities and Other States

Working in Nearby Cities

Looking beyond Cape Girardeau? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Sikeston, Chaffee, Perryville, Farmington, and Poplar Bluff, or browse the Missouri 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 Cape Girardeau, MO

To work as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) in Cape Girardeau, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Missouri. These include completing a Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS)–approved Certified Nurse Assistant training program, passing the state competency examination administered by D&SDT-Headmaster, and being listed on the Missouri CNA Registry.

  • Completion of at least 175 total hours of CNA training (75 classroom hours and 100 supervised clinical hours)
  • Completion of 16 hours of required instruction before any direct resident care
  • Background screening compliance per Missouri requirements
  • Passing both the written knowledge test (75 questions, 60 minutes) and the skills evaluation (five randomly selected skills including mandatory hand washing)
  • Up to three total exam attempts within 90 days of the first failed exam attempt; both exam portions must be completed within six months of training completion
  • Placement on the Missouri CNA Registry after successfully passing the competency examination

Once certified, you can work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies throughout Cape Girardeau and across Missouri. CNAs must perform at least one day (eight hours) of paid nursing-related services every 24 months to maintain active certification.

Already certified in another state? Missouri offers interstate endorsement (reciprocity) for CNAs who are active and in good standing in another U.S. state. Applicants must provide verification that their training and competency evaluation met federal OBRA requirements. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Missouri guide.

For complete details on training, testing, renewal, and maintaining certification, see our full CNA License & Registration in Missouri guide.

See how to become a CNA in Missouri

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 Cape Girardeau.

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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Cape Girardeau

How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Cape Girardeau?

Most CNA programs in Cape Girardeau can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 6 weeks, at Missouri Veterans Home - Cape Girardeau.

How much does CNA training cost in Cape Girardeau?

Prices differ by school, so ask the CNA programs in Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau?

Yes. Missouri Veterans Home - Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau?

No program in Cape Girardeau is listed with online classes. Online and hybrid programs are offered in other Missouri cities. Clinical training is always in person.

Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Cape Girardeau?

No 4-week program is listed in Cape Girardeau. 4-week CNA programs are offered in other Missouri cities, usually in 3 to 5 weeks.

Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?

Near Cape Girardeau there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Sikeston, Chaffee, Perryville, Farmington and Poplar Bluff. You can also look at the Missouri state page to find more.

How do I get listed on the Missouri CNA registry?

To work as a CNA in Missouri, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Missouri CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.

Where do CNAs work in Cape Girardeau?

CNAs in Cape Girardeau are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 6 nursing homes, 3 hospitals and 2 home health agencies in Cape Girardeau. 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.