CNA Training Tips Blog

March 20, 2011 by Catherine Leave a Comment

Finding CNA classes to meet your needs

You will need to locate CNA classes in your area if you want to become a certified nursing assistant. Before you can become certified as a nursing assistant, you will be required to complete and pass a state certified training course as well as the CNA certification exam.

There are many places to look for CNA classes. The State Board of Nursing or the Nursing Aide Registry in your state should be able to help you locate state approved training programs. You should contact them if you are having difficulties finding CNA classes to meet your needs.

Nursing care facilities and continuing care communities

You should contact some of these facilities in your area to determine if they offer CNA training. In some cases, you can even be hired to work as a CNA if you attend and successfully complete the course and pass the exam for certification.

Community colleges

often offer CNA training classes. Some colleges offer credit based training courses that will provide you with extensive training to become a certified nursing assistant. Other community colleges will offer evening or weekend CNA training programs as part of their continuing education program.

Technical, Vocational and Allied Health schools

Vocational schools often offer programs to help you train for your new career. Make certain that the course you are attending is state approved and that completion of the course will allow you to sit for the certification exam.

Nursing Schools

Some nursing schools will offer a CNA training program. In fact, many nursing schools now require applicants for a nursing degree to hold a CNA certification. Therefore, some of these schools also offer nursing assistant training courses to prospective future nursing students as well as individuals looking to obtain start a career as a CNA.

If you are still in high school, you might also be able to train to become a CNA. Many schools offer career training programs for high school students. One such program might be a program to prepare students who wish to work as certified nursing assistants upon graduation. Vocational high schools are also a good place to look if you want to train to become a CNA.

Adult and Continuing Education

Search for an Adult and Continuing Education Office in your area. The Adult Education Programs are designed to help individuals who wish to start a new career. The programs are meant to help adults to be able to train for a new career who might otherwise not have the money or means to do so. Sometimes they will offer CNA training options in conjunction with a health care facility or college.

There are many places to look if you want to find CNA classes. Some areas offer more CNA programs than others. If you live in or near a large city, you will probably find more opportunities than if you were living in a small town. One of the first places to check is with local nursing care and healthcare facilities. You should also check community colleges and technical or allied health schools.

To find a state approved CNA class where you live please visit our page on; CNA Classes by State

If you need financial assistance to pay for your program visit our page on how to get free cna classes in your state.

January 22, 2011 by Catherine Leave a Comment

Preparing for the NCLEX Exam

Passing the NCLEX exam is a major hurdle that you will have to pass before you can become a practicing registered nurse. Like any other part of your career, preparation is the most important part of the process. You already know that you have to study, but the following are eight tips that can help make taking the test a little easier- and a lot less stressful!

Put together a study plan. You should start studying for the exam a few months ahead of time, so creating a study plan for that period is the best way to make sure you cover all the material you will need to know. Organize your notes to make them easy to understand. One idea is to purchase a review book to study with, and then organize your notes in the same order.
There are many tools available to help you study for the NCLEX, and not using them will make taking the test far more difficult. Look at different review books that your school recommends, and then use them to help break up material so it is easier to study. There are also numerous online tools that can help you study.
Start or join a study group. Going to a study group can force you to set aside time to study. Learning from your peers is also a way to help you remember material, and gives you someone else to bounce ideas off of if you are having trouble understanding certain material. Create mock tests, have question and answer time, and plan on doing something together to celebrate when you all pass.
Stop stressing out. It is natural to worry about the test, and even the best student’s experience test anxiety. You will need to reduce your stress to do your best, so start by telling yourself that you will do well. Remember other tests completed during your nursing school career that you did well on, even when you were nervous. And tell yourself that nothing is going to hold you back now!
Keep yourself healthy. An overly aggressive study schedule, high stress levels, and busy lifestyles can lead to bad habits. To keep yourself in fighting shape for your test, take care of yourself by exercising, eating right, and sleeping regularly.
Schedule a time to take the test sooner, instead of later. You will be able to schedule a time for your test as much as a month before the test date. Knowing when your test is and being sure that you have a seat will help lower your stress. You will also have a better chance of scheduling an appointment at a good time of day for you, which will also lower your stress level.
Eat right for the day of the test. Having a healthy breakfast will help you do better on your exam. Enjoy your food, and don’t study while you eat. You won’t retain anything you learn at this point, so focus on being relaxed and calm.
Get everything ready the night before. Scrambling to get things ready the day of the exam is not only stressful; it can overwhelm your mind. Get a bag ready with your identification, test taking tools like pencils and pens, and even a lucky charm or two.

Preparing for your NCLEX the right way will help ensure you are successful on the exam. Be confident in all you have learned- after all, nursing school was the hard part, now you are ready to cross the finish line!

January 9, 2011 by Catherine Leave a Comment

How to Handle Stress as a CNA

Some people are uncertain about becoming a certified nursing assistant when they hear that the job can be very stressful. Don’t let this discourage you- nursing is a very rewarding and valuable career with far more benefits than stress. The trick to being successful is knowing how to deal with the stresses that come with the job.

The first step is to understand your stress level- you have to recognize when you are becoming stressed before it becomes unmanageable. Knowing what the warning signs of stress are can help prevent you from feeling depressed, angry, or burned out. Warning signs can include fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep, headaches or migraines, sleeplessness, crying, chest pains, and difficulty focusing. If you start to feel these symptoms, you need to evaluate your stress level.

Once you have determined what is causing you stress, you need to learn how to manage situations so that they do not become exceptionally stressful. One way to help deal with situations that are very stressful is to separate yourself from the situation long enough for you to take a break, clear your mind, and then reorient to the problem.

Keeping your stress level down before you are involved in a stressful situation can help you remain calm and focused. Begin by getting enough sleep, and on as regular a schedule as you can manage. Find ways to relax when you are away from work. You need to learn how to leave your job at work. Many people find it relaxing to spend the first half hour after they are home from work meditating, praying, or doing yoga or deep breathing exercises. The more you can separate yourself from the stress inducing situation, the better your body will be able to recover.

Try to remember that many things are out of your control, so it does you no good to worry about them. You can control your reactions, so focus on those instead. When you are overwhelmed, start with the smallest problem you can, and solve that. It will help you to feel that you will have control over the situation when you have made progress on a single problem. Start taking good care of your body physically as well. Eating foods that keep you feeling light and healthy will help you to reduce stress because your body feels good and is functioning well. Eat regular meals, and try to eat them properly. Sit down at a table, eat your food slowly, and enjoy the down time. If possible, eat with friends or family to make the experience more enjoyable. A good exercise program is another requirement for a healthy lifestyle. You need to keep your body active so that you can handle the physical demands of your job. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend hours in the gym, many healthy exercise programs such as yoga classes or even leisurely walks can help you stay in shape and be relaxing.

Another thing that can help you deal with stress is to have someone to talk to about your feelings. This can be a friend, a mentor, a family member, or a coworker. Make sure that you do not use this time to complain, but instead to be constructive in your discussions. Be positive; remember that what you are doing is very important and that stress is only temporary.

How to apply for Reciprocity

Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in the country, and after having earned your nursing degree, you will be in a position to find a job anywhere you want. If you are working as a Registered Nurse, the process of transferring your license is called “reciprocity.” Thanks to the standardization of nursing requirements that resulted from the NCLEX process, Registered Nurses are able to transfer their licenses to any state with just a few simple steps. If you are interested in moving to another state, the following is the process for gaining reciprocity:

The first thing that you will want to do is to contact the Nursing Registry in the state you already live in and request an “Application for Enrollment by Reciprocity.” The Registry will tell you whether they need you to complete the application and return it to the state you are moving to or if they need the application sent back to your home state. You should familiarize yourself with the Nurse Practice Act in the state you plan to move to in order to ensure that you are following the applicable laws and regulations in the state you want to move to. Then, you should contact the state you are moving to and ask how you should turn in the completed Application for Enrollment by Reciprocity. If you contact the other state and get an automated line, have a pen and paper handy to take notes about the information you heard. It is always preferable to get a live person on the line who can answer questions for you.

As you complete each item of paperwork, be sure to make a copy and keep it in a safe place for your records. Keep notes about who you talked to and the phone numbers you can reach them at. Simply applying does not ensure registration, so make sure you receive a document that says you are registered to practice in your new state. Many states will first issue a temporary permit that will allow you to begin practicing as they complete your application.

After your new state tells you how information should be sent (such as fax, email, internet application, or mail), submit the information immediately. Double check information like phone and fax numbers, mailing addresses, etc. As part of the process, you will need to submit a copy of your Social Security Card, drivers’ license, and current state license. You will also need a copy of a document that proves you have worked as a nurse within the last two years, such as a pay stub, and copies of any degrees and certificates you have earned. The Registry in your new state may ask for other information, but gathering this information in advance will help make the process easier.

Your new employer may also require that you complete a training and/or testing program specific to their facility. Your new employer will be able to provide you with necessary information about when and where you will need to do this. Recent changes in Nursing Practice law make it easier than ever before to transfer your nursing license to a new state. By spending a little bit of time researching these changes, your transition can be smooth and easy!

August 2, 2010 by Catherine Leave a Comment

CNA Certification Test

If you are training to become a certified nursing assistant, you might be concerned about the CNA Certification test. You will need to take a state approved class for CNAs before you can take this test. When you complete your coursework, you will be able to apply to sit for the certification exam. You will receive a notice with the date and time of the test.

There are things you can do to help you prepare for your CNA Certification Test. When you are still completing your certification course, you will want to do all reading and assignments. Pay close attending during class and even take good notes. If you have questions during any portion of your training, ask for help.

Pay careful attention to what you do while performing your clinical portion of the course. Watch the work of other skilled certified nursing assistants so that you know how to perform your duties well. Once again, it is important to ask questions if you have them because you will be demonstrating several CNA duties during your certification test.

Consider purchasing instruction videos and practice exams. They can be very helpful when you are studying for the certification test. Sometimes you can even find sample questions and practice exams online for free. Do not be afraid to ask around for free or low-cost resources to help you study.

Practice some of the skills that you might have to perform during your CNA certification test. You can practice with other nursing assistant students or with family and friends. Remember to complete all aspects of a task (for example, do not forget to wash your hands and close a patient’s privacy curtain).

Pay careful attention to any instructions you are provided on the paperwork you receive for your certification exam. You will probably be asked to bring one or more pencils with you for the written portion of the test. If you are doing your test at in a clinical setting, you might be asked to demonstrate skills with patients directly. Otherwise, you could be asked to bring someone with you to serve as your model patient.

It will probably be necessary to show some form of identification when you go for testing. Make certain you have this with you. You might also have paperwork that you must take with you to show it is time to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam.

The cna certification examination will be overseen by a state approved test administrator. You will first need to finish a written part of a test. This will usually be about 100 multiple choice questions related to the materials you covered during your class.

After that part of the test is over, you will need to demonstrate a handful of skills for the test administrator. They will make sure you complete ever part of that skill (including safety measures).

It is important for you to pass both parts of the test, otherwise you will not receive certification. In some cases, the state will allow you to take the test more than once. There will be times when you will be required to repeat the training before taking the test.

August 2, 2010 by Catherine Leave a Comment

CNA Nurse Aide

A CNA Nurse Aide is a nursing aide who has received certification. In order to receive certification as a CNA nurse aide, an individual must attend and pass a training course. It must be one of the courses that meet all standards for curriculum set forth by the state.

CNA courses in all states must meet minimum requirements set forth by the Federal government and by the state. The number of hours required will vary from state to state. For the most part a similar curriculum will be covered in a training course though some courses might be more extensive than others.

If you want to become a CNA Nurse Aide, you will need to start looking for a training program in your local area. Check with nursing care facilities, community and technical colleges, local chapters of the Red Cross and even nursing schools.

Take your time comparing CNA courses. You will want to find one that matches your schedule and your budget for training. Of course, you want to take the time to find a reputable training program. Search for a program with a superb record in terms of the number of graduates that pass the certification exam on the first try.

You will need to attend a nursing assistant training course in its entirety. Once you have completed all classes and clinical sessions, you will need to apply to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam. The nursing assistant certification exam will be available to you once you receive notification of the date and time for testing.

The CNA competency exam has two primary parts: written and skills. You will answer questions pertaining to the knowledge you gained during your training course. You will then need to demonstrate skills necessary for a job as a CNA to the test administrator. You will demonstrate a handful of skills for him or her.

A cna nurse aide must take steps to maintain and active certification. It is necessary to submit an application for recertification every two years. In order to be able to do so, you will need to have worked for pay as a CNA for at least 150 hours over a 24 month period.

Each year, you will need to complete continuing education credits. The training will sometimes be online, at a training location or even at your place of employment. If you do not complete this training, your license can lapse.

When you work as a certified nursing assistant, you will not be able to have a criminal record. You cannot be found guilty of abusing or neglecting a patient. In addition, you cannot steal or misuse the property of patients.

When working as a certified nursing assistant, you will perform a wide range of tasks for patients. You will assist them with activities of daily living. You will track patient vital signs. In addition, you will need to change and bathe patients who are unable to do so themselves. Many nursing assistants are responsible for overseeing patients while they perform their range of motion exercises. You can have a rewarding career as a CNA.