CNA Training Classes

Certified nurse assistant training programs are available at institutions all over the country and world-wide. The Internet has created an option for professionals who are single parents or hold jobs to attend part of their training online, even though the preferred choice of most students is the traditional classroom setting. Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) have to be trained at an accredited institution and pass a CNA examination in order to be certified or licensed and be able to work in the medical field.

CNA training classes vary in length depending on the number of hours and schedule, and the entire training program can run 1½ to 4 months or longer depending on state CNA training requirements. Once you successfully pass the CNA exam, you can begin working in the medical field. Some CNA training programs allow you to work Read the rest of this entry »

A CNA skills test consists of a written and clinical portion. The written portion is basically multiple choice questions. The clinical, or practical, test is the one that causes the most stress among CNA students. It is during the clinical portion that you will be required to demonstrate the skills you learned in training.

You may be required to bring along a friend or relative who can act as your “model” on which to demonstrate your skills. The state examiner administering the CNA exam will be observing you during the test to see if you’ve mastered the necessary skill sets. Thus, the reason many students find this part of the examination a bit nerve-wrecking.

Typically, you are asked to demonstrate three to five Nursing Assistant skills. These skills include the following: Read the rest of this entry »

A certified nurse assistant, or CNA, is a nurse’s aide who monitors patients when the nurse is unavailable. CNAs attend to a patient’s basic needs and reports any problems to the registered nurse (RN) or doctor or medical professional responsible for the patient’s treatment. Being a CNA may not sound like a glamorous way to earn a living, but if you love helping people, it is a good way to get your foot in the door to a promising medical career. CNAs are in high demand and offers plenty of opportunities to advance in the medical field.

To become a licensed CNA, you must complete a certified nursing assistant training program that prepares you to take the CNA certification exam in order to become licensed. A certified nursing assistant training program usually runs from Read the rest of this entry »

Many local colleges and hospitals offer certified nursing assistant classes for those individuals interested in pursuing a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Nursing homes and elderly care facilities in your area also offer training in lieu of you agreeing to work form them upon completion and certification. Class length can vary depending on the schedule and required hours, and the cost can range from $800 to $1,000, plus the cost for your textbooks.

The courses may be intimidating to a newbie, but if you pay close attention to your instructor, follow the feedback he or she gives you and don’t hesitate to ask questions you should be just fine. Take lots of notes and invest in supplementary material so you can keep up to date on new equipment and technology. There are DVD and video courses available that will prove valuable to you during your training.

During your training you will get the chance to interact with fellow nurses and faculty, which will help you develop the communication skills you will need to effectively relate with doctors, nurses, patients, the families of patients and other medical staff when you are out in the working world. The personal interaction you get with certified nursing assistant classes is the one advantage that classroom training has over online training. In addition, it is a bit more difficult to distinguish if an online school is reputable and accredited. With a local CNA training program, you can meet with an admissions representative and possibly get to tour the facility before you invest your time and money.

The only prerequisite you need to enroll into certified nursing assistant classes is to have graduated from high school or have a GED. Unlike most medical training programs, taking anatomy or biology courses are not required for CNA training. The classes usually run 6-12 weeks, but can run much longer depending on your state’s CNA regulations and requirements.

Certified nursing assistant classes involve instruction on patient care, CPR, infection control, patient safety, patient privacy and dignity, proper hand washing practices and other skills. Part of your training also involves hands-on training with actual patients as preparation for the clinical or practical portion of your CNA certification exam. During this part of the exam, you will be required to demonstrate the skills you learned in training and you must be able to perform them satisfactorily in order to pass the exam.