The Nursing Assistant Training Program Model Curriculum is designed to provide a guide for instructors and learners on the competencies that are needed by nursing assistants in caring for clients in a variety of settings. The Model Curriculum meets the requirements of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA, CFR 42) and Nevada Revised Statute 632.

In the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA 1987), Federal nurse aide training regulations are mandated. Maximum of fifty hours of theory and another one hundred hours for supervised clinical training should be followed in training programs as required and approved by the state.

Those who were able to complete the training program are known as Certified Nursing Assistant or State Tested Nurse Aid.  This certification is included in the State registry of nursing aides.  However, they still need to complete forty – eight hours of training every 24 months to maintain their certification.  This is to update the Certified Nursing Assistant’s or State Tested Nurse Aide’s on the trends of care giving.  They need to master the set of basic skills which are vital in giving care to the patients in both hospitals and home settings.

The goals of the instructional program are:

1. To introduce the learner to the health care field of nursing assistants.
2. To provide learners with experiences in the classroom and in the clinical areas that result in development of basic competencies required of nursing assistants.
3. To provide the learner with competencies that are prerequisite to specific areas and job entry.
4. To provide the learner with training required by State and Federal laws for employment as a nursing assistant.
5. To provide learners who have completed a nursing assistant training program with the opportunities to update their skills.
6. To develop interpersonal and basic care – giving skills

Some of the topics that are discussed during the training:

• The Role and Responsibility of the Nursing Assistant
• Communication and Interpersonal Relationships
• Safety and Infection Control
• Bed Making and Environmental Comfort
• Personal Care Procedures
• Rehabilitation of Clients with Special Needs

Due to nervousness, some students might find it difficult in taking the clinical part of the tests as reported by other CNAs. Since then, the state examiners look forward to observing the care-giving skills of the examinees.  Demonstration of several nursing assistant skills is part of the skills examinations.

Safety measures such as locking the wheelchair, transferring using a gait belt and raising beds when completed should always be remembered. The nursing assistant must not only be very skilled in the actual procedures being performed but must also be able to observe a patient’s condition and report that information back to the nurse.

A CNA is often referred to as the nurse’s “eyes and ears” for they will be spending more time with the patient as compared to the nurse. The CNA should always note the condition of the patient when giving care. Interpersonal skills are also important in building a better relationship with the patient.