Requirements for CNA Certification

Essential Requirements for CNA Certification

There are specific educational demands that you must meet before you can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Besides educational requirements, candidates will also undergo an extensive health screening, and they will need to pass a competency evaluation. Those who successfully complete the CNA training course are in high demand in hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities offering extended care to their patients. When a patient is suffering from chronic pain, or recovering from surgery or serious injuries, trained nursing assistants help them with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, eating, or getting dressed.

For CNA training you will need a high school diploma or have passed the General Educational Development Test (GED) in your state. Before applying for CNA training, you must get a certificate in first aid. The two aspects of CNA training are educational and clinical. Educational training will cover a variety of courses such as basic nursing procedures, health care topics and medical terminology. The clinical facet of CNA training involves working in a hospital or other medical facility. The number of clinical hours a student is required to work will vary according to each state, some areas may have requirements of as much as seventy two, to seventy six hours. Students must successfully complete both the educational and clinical aspects of CNA training to receive certification.

When the educational and clinical aspects of CNA training has been successfully completed, students will need to pass their state’s examination for CNA Certification. These state exams are designed to test the nurse assisting knowledge and abilities of each applicant. The purpose of these examinations is to ensure proper educational and clinical training, and is designed to test both written and technical skills. In the written test, students must demonstrate their ability to successfully comprehend a wide variety of essential nursing assistant skills. In the technical portion, students must show their professional ability to perform the large number of skills that are required to be a nursing assistant. Once both portions of the certification exam have been successfully completed and your passing grade has been recorded, your name will be added to the state registry for Certified Nursing Assistants. Understanding these requirements can help you prepare for your new career.

Most Related Article: online training for CNA

CNA Training Online

CNA training course online

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) contributes richly to the lives of his patients while earning a good salary.  Because certification entails attending an accredited CNA school, busy career changers often seek their CNA training online.  The online CNA candidate can enroll, study and complete the program on a flexible schedule, so the distance learning option can allow her to become certified more quickly than she could at a community college or other “bricks and mortar” school.

With excellent job opportunities, choosing an online CNA training program can put you straight to work ahead of the competition.  Being a certified nursing assistant can be the best nursing career options.  The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster-than-average growth in the job market for CNAs through at least 2018.  A steadily aging US population and pressure in the health care industry to provide quality care with less budget will combine to provide excellent opportunities for nursing assistants, who work not only in hospitals, but also in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and as home health care providers.

Nursing assistant certification requires a combination of the theory obtained in school and the practice obtained in a clinical setting helping nurses and doctors.  A good online CNA training program will assist you in finding that clinical opportunity as well as teach the theory and prepare you for the certification exam.

Considering speed to market, excellent job prospects, average annual starting salaries in the mid-20’s and reduced opportunity cost versus a bricks and mortar program, the cost/benefit ratio of online CNA training is quite attractive.  Online programs can cost a fraction of community college tuition and allow the student to stay in his current full-time job while completing the theory portion of the training.  Students will be spending 50 – 100 hours in the field doing the clinical piece, so having the flexibility to do the theory at home after work or on weekends reduces lost wages, or “opportunity cost.”

CNA professionals work under the supervision of licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs) and medical doctors (MDs).  While being a nursing assistant is rewarding, many CNAs enjoy the profession so much that they continue their studies to become certified as LPNs, RNs and even MDs.  Whether you intend to use the CNA as a stepping stone to advanced certification or to make CNA your permanent career, you should seriously consider the speed, flexibility and cost of an online CNA training program. There are several scholarships for CNA available.

Free CNA training

Due to the fact that there are shortage for certified nursing assistants, many local vocational training organizations offer free CNA training.  Air Force Aid society Spouse Employment Program pay for spouses of active duty military to become certified CNA’s. Even many employers also offer free cna training. So it is wise inquire at human resources department where you work. They Also might arrange a loan for you. Classes are available both online and at school. You must pass state exam to become certified nursing assistant which usually aren’t covered under classes. There are few CNA Scholarships program available.