Certified Nursing Assistant: Overview, Program, Salary

For many persons who want to pursue a career in nursing, undergoing a Certified Nursing Assistant program (CNA) is the first step.

A career as a CNA is gratifying and valuable in and of itself, but it can also be used as a stepping stone if you want to pursue other fields of nursing.

Interestingly, CNAs can go on to become licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs or LVNs) or pursue a higher education to become registered nurses (RN).

With that, you can become invaluable expertise in these fields. The challenge most nurses face is knowing the program or certification that can be more beneficial to them.

To help profound solution, we’ve put down in this article relevant information about CNA certification including the best-certified nursing assistant programs worth going for. With any of the programs listed in this article, you can start your career journey as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

What Does A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Do?

Under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), a certified nursing assistant (CNA) assists patients with activities of daily living and other healthcare needs (LPN). Nursing Assistants, Patient Care Assistants (PCAs), and Nurse’s Aids are all terms used to describe CNAs.

Some people will use their experience as CNAs to help them advance their careers and become LPN or RN.

Surprisingly, many CNAs are already enrolled in nursing school and use this job as an opportunity to study more about the healthcare industry and obtain more real-world experience and knowledge. Others work as CNAs to see if they want to go on to the next level of their healthcare careers.

READ ALSO: How To Get a CCNA Certification? Exam, Salary, Training, Online Courses

Do You Need A College Degree To Work As A CNA?

To work as a CNA, you do not need a college diploma. That is one of the things that attracts many prospective nurses.

You will, however, be required to complete training through a state-approved program. You should be able to enroll in a CNA program and begin working as a CNA if you have a high school diploma or a GED. Some programs will need you to pass a background check, an entrance exam, or both.

As previously indicated, most CNA training programs span between four and twelve weeks, while some may last longer.

You’ll study in a hands-on manner in addition to the classroom element of the training by performing clinical hours in a real healthcare facility, usually for a few weeks after your coursework is completed. Your classes will cover a variety of subjects, including:

• Nursing care at its most basic
• Nursing care for a long period of time
• Vital signs are being taken
• Protocols in case of an emergency
• Infection prevention
• Mental health services
• Client privileges
• Nursing ethics

CNA classes are available at a number of locations, including community colleges, vocational schools, and hospitals, and healthcare facilities. It’s critical to do your homework in order to select the program that’s right for you.

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What Are The Requirements And Process For CNA Certification?

To become a certified CNA in your state, you’ll need to take and pass a competency exam once you’ve completed your classroom training and clinical hours.

The specific requirements for CNA certification vary by state, but they generally include things like a passing score on the competency exam, at least 75 hours of training in a state-accredited CNA program, and completed documentation of your personal information, including background checks and physical and mental status.

The CNA certification exam is normally given at a test facility in your state by a third-party institution. The test will vary based on which state you are obtaining your certification in, but they all follow a similar framework.

The exam will most likely include a multiple-choice section, as well as a manual skills test scenario, commonly known as a practical exam.

A Registered Nurse will observe you performing a few skills or tasks “on the job,” showcasing your abilities on a real patient or a dummy patient.

The written section of the exam and the manual skills test are typically administered on the same day. You’ll usually have around two hours to finish the multiple-choice section and a half-hour to an hour to demonstrate clinical abilities.

READ ALSO: How Can I Become A Nurse Anesthetist? Schools, Programs, Cost.

How Much Does CNA Certification Cost?

Another factor to consider while looking at CNA certification programs is the price. As you might expect, expenses vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, including the program itself, the school that provides it, your location, the level of the curriculum, the length of the program, and so on.

The average cost of a CNA program, according to cna.plus, is roughly $1,300.00. However, keep in mind that several programs are substantially more expensive.

However, there is some good news: In general, and especially when compared to other types of healthcare education, the cost of a CNA certification program is usually extremely low.

CNA certification courses can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, so it’s tough to put a precise value on them.

There may also be other costs not included in the initial estimates, such as textbooks and other educational materials, a uniform or scrubs, and laboratory or technology fees.

If background checks and prerequisite medical exams are required for admission to the course, students will be expected to pay for them.

Don’t forget about the certification exam: you’ll probably have to pay anywhere from $70 to $150 or more for the exam.

How Long Does It Take To Complete CNA Programs Online?

The majority of online CNA certification programs span between four and twelve weeks, with the majority lasting at least six.

There are a lot of elements that can influence the length of a program, including whether it’s a full-time or part-time program, and whether it’s a full-time or part-time program, while some online CNA schools allow for some self-pacing.

A CNA certification can be obtained significantly faster than many other job certifications, which means it can be a fast pathway to employment.

How often does CNA Recertification Need to be Completed?

Keep in mind that your CNA training doesn’t have to finish once you’ve passed the state certification exam and found work.

CNAs must be recertified every few years to ensure that their skills and knowledge remain current.

CNAs must complete a minimum of 48 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their certification.

There may be additional requirements, such as completing at least 12 hours in each of the two years rather than completing most or all of the 48 hours in one year in some states.

The Board of Nursing in your state can supply you with a list of training facilities and programs where you can obtain your recertification credits.

It’s also worth mentioning that many businesses will cover the cost of your recertification. Some even do their own recertification training.

How Can I Become A CNA?

If you’ve decided on a profession as a Certified Nursing Assistant, you’re definitely looking for ways to get started and finish the process as quickly as possible. That way, you’ll be able to start looking for jobs right away and get started on your dream job.

Here are some pointers on how to become a CNA as quickly as possible:

1. Start the Process

Begin as soon as possible. The earlier you begin, the better. You can take as many health and science classes as you like even if you’re still in high school. Consider enrolling in first-aid classes, health aide training classes, and similar courses in your high school to get a head start on the fundamentals.

2. Choose a Program

Select the appropriate program for you. Choose the program with the shortest time that is still state-accredited if you actually want to become a CNA as soon as possible. However, don’t rush things; instead, pick the curriculum that best fits your lifestyle, needs, schedule, and career objectives.

3. Complete your Clinical Hours

Completing your clinical hours at the same time as your studies is a great way to save time. It’s a smart method to speed up the process of becoming a CNA if you can find a state-accredited program that allows you to begin working clinical hours before your coursework is completed.

4. Schedule Your Certification Exam

Schedule your certification exam after you’ve completed your clinical hours. For two reasons, this is a good idea: You’ll become a CNA more quickly, and all of the information you’ve studied in the last several weeks or months will be fresh in your mind.

That means you’ll have a significantly better chance of passing the certification exam and becoming a state-certified CNA.

Having understood all about CNA certification and the best way you can get one, let’s take a look at some of the top CNA certification programs in the world.

Best Certified Nursing Assistant Programs

Here are the best-certified nursing assistant programs:

1. Technician in patient care

School: HOPE COLLEGE

The Patient Care Technician Program is for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a PCT in Florida. It’s also for anyone who desires to take the Florida State Board of Nursing’s Certified Nursing Assistant examination. Before being allowed to practice as a PCT, students must pass the exam.

With this program, students will have a greater grasp of the function of nursing assistants in long-term care settings because of this curriculum. Moreso, they will be equipped with the necessary information and abilities for the job.

Students go through six occupational completion milestones, each of which teaches them unique skills that will help them in their future careers as nursing assistants. Students can both continue on to the next training program or exit and practice at the designated completion point.

They begin with the completion point for Nursing Aide and end with the completion point for the Patient Care Technician. Students can choose between day sessions, which last 16 weeks, and evening classes, which last 32 weeks.

SEE ALSO: Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant: Job Description, Cost, Salary and Job Outlooks

2. Nursing assistant certification

School: Northwest College

This Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant program is for people who want to work as nursing aides. The course is part of the Allied Health program at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, in the United States.

Students who complete the course will be qualified to take the Wyoming State Board of Nursing’s Certified Nursing Assistant exam.

The course teaches students about nursing care ideas and principles. It also gives students the skills and information they need to deal with patients in a healthcare setting.

Students will get familiar with state and federal legislation, as well as industry regulations and procedures.

They will also have a greater knowledge of patients’ many requirements, such as physical, mental, psychological, cultural, and spiritual demands. The students will also become familiar with the various terminology used in the industry.

Northwest College nursing assistant certification is a two-year program.

3. Course for nurse aide

School: North Iowa Area Community College

Individuals interested in a career in long-term healthcare should take the Nurse Aide course. A high school diploma or GED is required of all students.

If students plan to take the course before graduating from high school, they will need an acknowledgment letter from the high school counselor. It teaches students the skills and knowledge they need to offer safe and effective patient care.

The course includes theory, laboratory practice, and hands-on experience. The nursing assistant course’s 45-hour theoretical portion is designed to give the essential instruction in accordance with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987’s standards.

Nursing assistants working in healthcare and nursing facilities must meet this standard criterion. The 30-hour clinical or practical application phase, meanwhile, satisfies the same act’s requirements. Students will be qualified to take the nursing aide exam in Iowa once they have completed the course.

The North Iowa Area Community College hosts classes for this 75-hour course.

4. Vocational nurse course with license

School: Hamilton College

The Licensed Vocational Nurse course is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to become a vocational nurse in the state of California. The course also qualifies students for the NCLEX-PN exam.

The course is divided into four modules, the first of which meets the requirements for students to take the California Nurse Assistant Certification and Clinical Performance Examination.

Basic nursing skills will be taught to students in order for them to provide direct patient care. Students will also get a better grasp of the nursing process and will be able to apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to their patient care.

They will also obtain knowledge of the healthcare industry and the role of nurses in patient care. This module includes a five-hour anatomy and physiology session.

It also contains 25 hours of basic pharmacology training. Students might choose to continue with the three remaining modules until they have completed the California Board of Vocational Nursing’s educational requirements. This program lasts for 12 months.

5. Health care assistant program

School: Gateway College

The Health Care Assistant program is for people who want to work in the healthcare field in Vancouver, Canada. To maximize learning among the course’s pupils, it combines both on-campus and online teaching.

The nursing assistant course enables students to gain a deeper understanding of the industry’s fundamentals.

It also allows students to learn fundamental anatomy and physiology while developing interpersonal skills. The training also covers a variety of patient movement strategies, as well as medicines, nutrition, and basic computer skills.

Students will be able to register with the British Columbia Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry at the end of the course. They will also complete 280 hours of hands-on training.

Gateway College in Vancouver, Canada, offers a 34-week hybrid online and on-campus education.

6. Nurse assistant training program

School: The American Red Cross

The Nurse Assistant Training Program is for those interested in pursuing a career as a nursing assistant. To prepare students for the profession, the program includes 75 hours of classroom and laboratory sessions and 100 hours of practical practice.

The program equips students with all of the required knowledge and abilities to work as a nursing assistants. They got adult first aid training as well as information on infection management.

Students will also learn how to take vital signs and provide patients with mobility exercises. They will also have a greater grasp of the value of communication and collaboration in order to appropriately care for their patients.

This program lasts for 175 hours.

READ ALSO: How Long Does It Take To Become An LPN?

7. Nursing assistant/nurse aide program

School: Pima Medical Institute

Individuals interested in working as a nurse aide or nursing assistant in Arizona should enroll in the Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Program.

It’s also for students who want to help patients with their everyday routines and collaborate with a healthcare team.

Students in the nursing assistant program learn how to assist patients in a variety of areas, including safety, emergency procedures, and infection control. Students will also learn how to document the patient care services they deliver. They will also assist nurses and doctors with patient treatment and diagnostic processes.

Generally, a nursing assistant or aide plays a crucial role in assisting patients with their everyday duties. Aside from assisting patients, they also assist nurses and doctors in a variety of scenarios to ensure adequate patient care.

READ ALSO: 13 Affordable Online LPN to RN Programs for Nurses

What distinguishes a CNA from a Medical Assistant (MA) and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

While there are some similarities between certified nursing assistants and medical assistants (MAs), such as working with patients and delivering patient care, the two healthcare vocations should not be confused.

Both jobs help doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals with treatments, surgeries, and testing.

Medical assistants are more involved in direct patient care, whereas nursing assistants are more involved in patient assessment, evaluation, and aiding doctors with patient care and treatment.

Nursing assistants can only do certain job-related tasks that are prescribed by their state of employment.

A license and passing a state-mandated exam are required for LPNs, also known as Licensed Practical Nurses. CNAs, on the other hand, just need to be certified before they can work.

LPNs frequently take classes similar to those taken by RNs in order to learn more about health care and the human body.

Furthermore, LPNs are capable of doing activities and procedures that CNAs are not, such as inserting a peripheral intravenous catheter.

FAQs On Certified Nursing Assistant

Conclusion

Becoming a CNA provides you with opportunities to try nursing after a shorter training period and explore potential specialty areas. A CNA credential can open doors to educational programs and careers as registered nurses or advanced practice nurses, both of which offer specializations in areas such as acute care, gerontology, oncology, family practice, and pediatrics.

References

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