CNA Certification & Training
November 14, 2010
With the tremendous advances in health care and a greater interest in living a healthy lifestyle, today’s aging population is living longer resulting in a growing need for professionally trained nurses with CNA certification. Studying to become a certified nursing assistant is an excellent means of opening the door to exciting and challenging opportunities in the health care field. The first step in achieving your goal is to successfully complete a certified nursing assistant program followed and then applying for and taking the CNA certification test.
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A certified nursing assistant or aide is an integral part of the healthcare team as they are the ones who provide direct care to patients in a variety of health care settings. Nurses with CNA certification training work under the supervision of a Registered or Practical Nurse helping patients with daily activities such as feeding, dressing, bathing as well as taking vital signs. Listening to patients’ needs and concerns and comforting them in times of need is also a vital part of their daily routine.
What does a certified nursing assistant training program include?
CNA certification training consists of both practical and theoretical concepts necessary to perform ones duties efficiently and with confidence. The classroom portion of training concentrates on theory with the clinical and laboratory units giving the student vital hands-on experience. Some of the courses covered in a typical CNA training program will include:
- Basic hygiene procedures
- Patient safety
- Injury prevention
- Body mechanics and mobility
- Infection control and prevention
- Daily living assistance techniques
- Long term care health issues
- CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
- Ambulating and patient moving procedures
- Reporting and documentation procedures
- Feeding and personal hygiene
- Professional and effective communication skills
- Taking of vital signs
Where can I work as a Certified Nursing Aide?
CNA’s can expect to find work in a variety of health care settings such as:
- Rehabilitation centers
- Private homes
- Day care facilities for adults
- Hospitals
- Hospice and long-term health care facilities
- Community health care clinics
Once a student has successfully completed both the classroom and clinical portions of the program, CNA certification testing is required in order to work in the field. CNA certification requirements vary from state to state but all include both clinical and a written or theoretical component. It is important to ensure that whatever CNA certification program one enrolls in is state approved and adequately prepares the student for their certification exam. Although some states do not require a high school diploma to take CNA training, all students must be able to have a strong command of English including speaking, reading and writing as well as the ability to carry out basic math calculations.
Every state maintains its own Nurse Aide Registry, listing all individuals who are qualified and allowed to work as a certified nurse aide or assistant in that particular state. As well as listing certified nurse aides, the registry also includes those who may have any occurrences of neglect, abuse or property misappropriation.
Online vs. campus CNA training
Online certified nurse aide training programs are an excellent option for those who do not have time to attend regular on-campus training to obtain the theoretical portion of the program. It is imperative however to ensure that the laboratory and clinical portions of any CNA training program be taken in approved laboratory and health care facilities. It is also important that any hands-on training include actual patients in a nursing home, hospital or other healthcare facility and under the supervision of a qualified registered nurse instructor.
Whether students enroll in on-campus or online CNA training it is imperative that both the theoretical and practical components prepare one to pass their certified nursing assistant certification in the state that they plan to work in.