The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential is designed to equip nurses with the skills required to provide quality basic health care to patients in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, adult daycare centers and even during private visits to a patient’s home. A CNA nurse can work in virtually any area of the health care field. Day to day responsibilities will revolve around feeding, moving patients from one place to another and assisting patients with toileting.

Where are CNA training classes offered?

Well, the Red Cross as well as a good proportion of community colleges in your area would often have CNA training classes. The cost varies as widely as there are institutions that offer the classes. There are even nursing homes that offer the training classes at zero cost for certain categories of eligible students.

Is there a standard duration for CNA training classes?

The length of the program will depend of where you are taking the classes. CNA training classes will take anything from two to six weeks if the classes are taking place within a health care institution but can take anywhere from six to nine months if the is done through the Red Cross or a community college. After obtaining the CNA credential, nursing assistants must renew the certification every year in order to stay current with emerging industry trends.

What do the training classes involve?

CNA training classes place emphasis on both the theoretical and practical skills by making extensive use of clinic and laboratory sessions.  Sessions aim to impart the knowledge that will give students the foundation necessary to offer quality health care for persons with different medical conditions. Theory is not neglected since a nursing assistant would have difficulty operating in a medical environment if they are not familiar with basic nursing terminology.

CNA training classes training also address the main health issues that affect adults in nursing homes and not only looks at how the nursing assistant can help the patient manage the condition, but also how such health issues can be prevented in the first place. Nursing assistants are also trained on how to file patient documents and how to keep track of the care given to each patient based on the standards expected in the medical industry.

Because some of the patients the nursing assistant might handle will be suffering from terminal or potential fatal conditions, CNA training classes cover basic life support techniques and emergency response methods such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

During the classes, nursing assistants will be trained on how to use bedpans, how to give bed baths and how to move patients properly without exacerbating injury or increasing the amount of pain they experience. A Certified Nursing Assistant must also know how to perform physiotherapy exercises and how to check vital signs.

Towards the end of the CNA training classes, each student is assigned to a clinic or heath care facility for hands on training where they can apply where they can apply the skills they have learned in a class environment in a real world setting.

CNA training classes requirements

Before one is accepted for CAN training classes, there are a number of requirements that they must meet.

• Physical fitness – Due to the physically strenuous nature of the job, nursing assistants must have the capability to lift and push heavy objects and as well as capacity to stand for long periods. The nursing assistant’s personal health is thus important and they must not have any condition that would hinder them from discharging their job effectively.
• Good health – A health exam is needed to make sure that students are indeed in good health to both complete the CNA training classes as well as not pose any risk to patients. Infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and measles are highly contagious and since some of the patients will have low immune systems, these diseases may pose a serious threat to their lives. Where possible, immunization of students prior to embarking on the training is necessary.
• Criminal record requirement – CNA classes often require the students to fill a background check that ascertains they have no criminal record. They must also provide a copy of their ID as well as a photo. This screening is important given the highly sensitive work environment they where will be deployed.
• Communication skills – The ability to communicate clearly is a fundamental prerequisite for CNA training classes. Unambiguous communication is key to maintaining professionalism in the work place in the nursing assistant’s interaction with patients, patients’ family and co-workers.
• Educational Requirement – The educational prerequisite for CNA training classes is often evidence of completion of your high school diploma. You must also demonstrate competence in mathematics and reading.
• Psychological readiness – Due to the emotionally straining nature of nursing assistant jobs, persons enrolling for CNA training classes must understand and be psychologically prepared to deal with these issues before they arise. That said, the sense of satisfaction from nursing assistant jobs can be very rewarding.

The Nursing Assistant exam taken on completion of the training comprises of a written exam as well as a practical exam.

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Certified Nursing Assistant Books

Being a nursing assistant can be quite a joy, but it is important to have the right education, and for good reason. You need to perform almost all the same tasks that a nurse would perform, and you have just as many responsibilities. This is why there are so many different courses that you need to take, and in order to get the most out of your education, you also need as many resources as possible.

Read our Review of the Top Three Nursing Assistant Books