Graduation & beyond
From training day one to Certified Nurse Aide.
This is the finish line — and the starting line for a real career. Here's exactly what graduation, certification, and life as a CNA look like.
Finish your training program
Once the facility sponsors you, you complete a NYS-approved nurse aide training program while staying on payroll. Classroom, skills lab, and supervised clinical hours.
Pass the Prometric written & clinical exams
Two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on clinical skills evaluation. Your trainer and recruiter help you prep. Up to 3 attempts per part within 2 years — most candidates pass on their first or second try.
You're listed on the NYS Nurse Aide Registry
Prometric reports your results to the state, usually within 10 business days. Once you're on the registry, you're officially a Certified Nurse Aide in New York State — for the rest of your career.
Move into your CNA role
You transition into a full CNA role at the facility at CNA pay. Same team, same residents, more responsibility — and a title you earned.
Keep growing
Every 2 years you renew by completing continuing education and 8 paid hours of nursing-related work. Many CNAs go on to specialty training, LPN school, RN, or leadership. Your recruiter can walk you through what's next.
Graduation day — what to expect
Passing the Prometric exam is more than a checkbox. We treat it like the milestone it is.
- A real graduation moment with your cohort and facility leaders.
- Your certification date recognized on the NYS Nurse Aide Registry.
- A pay increase that reflects your new certification.
- A permanent record that follows you — this is yours forever.
- An invitation to the facility's alumni and mentor network.
You did the hard thing
Welcome to a real healthcare career.
Once you're a CNA, doors start opening — mentor roles, memory care and rehab specialties, LPN and RN pathways, charge and leadership tracks. NORA keeps your profile alive so the right next opportunity finds you.