• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

CNA Training Tips

  • Home
  • Free CNA Training
  • CNA Certification
  • CNA Classes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

CNA Classes

December 1, 2011 by Catherine Leave a Comment

If you fail your CNA Exam, what next?

You have completed your C.N.A. training and have excelled in learning your skills.  All that is stopping you from your certification is one pesky little exam.  It is the final exam.  You had 3 cups of coffee this morning and put on your happy face. You even had oatmeal and fruit for breakfast in an effort to boost your brain cells.  Shakily you enter the examination room with your 12 #2 pencils sharpened.  Is the shaking due to nerves or all of that coffee that you drank? The thoughts are reeling in your mind.  What if I forget?  What if I miss? What if I fail my C.N.A. exam? What next?

First of all, a little preparation may prevent a potential test failure.  There are 2 parts to the C.N.A. exam.  You will be tested on your skills in which you will be asked to perform your skills properly and safely.  This may consist of making a bed properly, shaving a patient, or transferring a patient while using proper body mechanics and exercising proper safety techniques.  Go through your skills checklist as you may be tested on any of them.  Don’t forget to wash your hands prior to each skill or state that you have just washed your hands so your instructors know that you haven’t forgotten that important little detail.  The second part of the exam will be the written test.  Generally, you must score 80 percent or higher to achieve a passing grade, though this may vary from state to state.  You will be asked questions about safety, proper body mechanics, patient confidentiality and other legal issues regarding HIPPA.  These are just a few of the topics that may be covered.

The best way to prepare for the C.N.A. exam is to practice your skills on your class mates or on a friend or family member until you become comfortable performing them.  You can also take a C.N.A. practice test which is usually offered at most training facilities and there are also practice tests available online. You should also review your study guide and if there is something that you don’t know or are not comfortable with then you should ask for clarification.

If you take the exam and you do happen to fail the first time, try not to beat yourself up about it too much.  The exam is set up to ensure that you can work with a patient in a safe manner.  Passing the exam is a good indication that you are ready to safely accept the responsibility of caring for a patient. If you do not pass, simply examine your mistakes, study harder, and try to focus on the areas in which you are deficient.  Some schools will allow you to go back and correct your mistakes right away and sometimes you will have to retest.  If you only fail one portion of the test then you will only have to repeat that portion.  You have up to 2 years and 3 tries after receiving your training to pass both sections of the exam.  If you fail the third time within that period then you must go back to school and repeat your C.N.A. training.

It sounds like a lot of pressure, doesn’t it?  Just take a deep breath and take your time to study and focus on what you don’t know.  Have your coffee, have your oatmeal and fruit, put on your happy face and try to remember the little details like putting the brake on the wheelchair, speaking to your patient and exhibiting good bedside manner, even he is a mannequin, and you should be fine. Good luck!

Filed Under: CNA Classes

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.

Filed Under: CNA Classes

August 2, 2010 by Catherine Leave a Comment

Online CNA Classes

There are two main types of online CNA classes:  classes for initial cna training and classes for continuing education.  Online certified nursing assistants classes can save you time since you will not need to travel back and forth to class.

Online cna classes will provide you with a flexible way to learn.  This is important if you need to train while working a regular job and/or you have a family.  You can study at times when you have some quiet moments to work on your cna classes.

You can sometimes use online cna classes for your initial certified nursing assistant training (when you are working on obtaining your certification).  The online segment of your training will cover the classroom instruction.  You will still need to train offline when it is time for your hands on and clinical training.

It is important to realize that some online nursing assistant or nursing aide training courses do not prepare you for certification.  You must make sure that any online CNA classes that you are taking are full approved by your state.  Find classes that will allow you to complete your clinical training upon completion of the online courses and that will make you eligible for the certification exam.

If you are attending a community college or technical school for your certified nursing assistant training, you might be able to complete some of your training online.  Many colleges are now offering online courses.  Some of these courses might include part of the training you need to become a certified nursing assistant.

Online cna classes will require you to set aside time each day to study.  It will be your responsibility to make enough time each day to get your work completed.  You must be able to work at a good pace and must be motivated enough to complete all your assignments and studies.  Take the time to access your learning and study habits to ensure that online training is a good fit for you.

Online Continuing Education

You will be continuing your education throughout your career as a certified nursing assistant.  Each year you will need to complete several continuing education credits.  Some of these credits will be obtained at in-service training at your place of employment.  Other credits might require you to attend a class in person.

There will also be online cna classes for some of the continuing education credits that you must complete.  You must make certain that the credits will be accepted by the state to count towards your required continuing education credits.  The online cna classes will make it easier for you to finish your training even when you are working full-time and have many other responsibilities.

Online cna classes can be beneficial if you need to save time and money.  They are also a good option if you already have a busy schedule but want to train as a nursing assistant or if you are a nursing assistant who needs to complete continuing education credits.  Make certain that you always select online courses that are accredited in your state.

Filed Under: CNA Classes

August 2, 2010 by Catherine Leave a Comment

Passing Your CNA Exam

If you have started on a path to become a certified nursing assistant, you will need to enroll in a nursing assistant training program.  This program must be approved by the state in which you live.  Certification is not granted upon completion of the course.  You will then need to sit for the certification exam.  Passing your CNA exam should not be difficult if you follow a few basic steps.

Many people pass their CNA exam on the first try.  You should take your time to find a good quality nursing assistant program.  Look for training classes in your area with a good reputation.  These training courses are more likely to prepare you well to pass the nursing assistant certification test.

When you enroll in your class, you must remember that you are preparing for your CNA exam from day one.  It is important to pay close attention during your training course.  You do not want to miss any classes or any clinical instruction sessions.  If you have an urgent reason for missing a class, you will need to make up the missed session as instructed by your teacher.

Carefully read through your textbook and always complete all assignments.  Do not be afraid to ask questions that you have whether it be in class, lab studies or clinical experience.  Carefully review any tests and quizzes you take during class to make certain that you understand any questions out got wrong.

Take good notes during your classes.  If you have information you need to remember during your clinical instructions, take notes directly after your clinical hours.  Pay close attention to everything you learn during your hands on training.

Passing your CNA exam will be even easier if you talk to your training course instructor before your training program ends.  He or she can help you to have an understanding of the layout of the certification exam.  They can even help you to know what is most important to study.

The CNA exam has both a written and a skills portion.  You can prepare to do well on the skills segment by practicing many of the skills you will use as a CNA.  You can do this by getting together with other cna students to practice the skills.  In addition, you can ask friends and family members to serve as your model patients while you practice your CNA skills.

You can find sample CNA test questions online and can even purchase practice tests and study guides.  These resources can help you to further prepare for success when it comes time to sit for your nursing assistant certification exam.  Demonstration videos can also be purchased to help you study for your nursing assistant certification exam.
When you are taking your exam, do not hurry through the written portion of the test.  Take your time and check over your answers.  You will also want to take your time and try to stay relaxed when you are finishing the skills portion of the test.

Filed Under: CNA Certification, CNA Classes

July 31, 2010 by Catherine Leave a Comment

CNA Continuing Education

If you have received your nursing assistant certification, you will need to complete continuing education credits each year in order to retain your certification.  CNA continuing education is intended to make certain that nursing assistants always have the latest information in the CNA industry.  Continued training helps to ensure that nursing assistants are always ready to provide the best level of care to their patients.

Continuing education helps to make sure that you stay updated on all the skills and knowledge you learned during your training.  Some continuing education classes serve as refresher courses so that you do not forget important information you learned during your training.

If there are changes to anything you learned during your CNA training, a CNA continuing education course can teach you those changes.  For example, if a safer or more effective way to complete a particular CNA task is devised, you might be asked to complete a course teaching you the new method of performing that CNA skill.

Some CNA continuing education courses are geared towards health professionals in general.  These courses are often intended to ensure that all healthcare providers have the latest information they need to preserve a patient’s privacy and dignity and to provide safe and effective care for all patients.

Your employer will often pay for your continuing education especially if you are working for a nursing care facility.  Some states even require certain employers to pay for or reimburse you for any costs associated with CNA continuing education credits.   This is helpful since you will usually need several continuing education credits each year.

Healthcare facilities often offer education in-services for CNAs and other healthcare employees.  These in-services often are able to provide some of the necessary continuing education credits.  In-services sometimes last for a few hours and other times will last for an entire day.  You might receive pay for in-service training that takes place directly at your place of employment.

You are often able to access cna continuing education credits online.  You can access your training courses from the comfort of your own home.  Online cna continuing education classes help to make certain that you have the time to complete your necessary coursework.  You can complete the training in between all the responsibilities you have each day.

Continuing education courses can cover a wide range of topics.  They can update you or refresh your mind about many of the skills you complete as a cna.  Some courses will be designed to teach you about updates to the privacy policies for patients.  There will be courses to teach you more about preventing bed sores or providing more ways to prevent injury.

Some continuing education courses will help you to recognize the signs of patient abuse and neglect.  The training will provide you with the information you need to help a patient if you think they are being harmed in any way.

You must complete continuing education credits each year to keep your certification.  The education will help you to be an even better certified nursing assistant.

Filed Under: CNA Classes, Introduction to CNA

July 30, 2010 by Catherine Leave a Comment

What You Learn in a CNA Class

You will be curious as to what you will learn in a CNA class if you want to work as a certified nursing assistant.  It will be necessary to take a training course for CNAs and to pass a certification exam before you can work as a certified nursing assistant.

There is a lot you will learn in a CNA course. Courses include both classroom and clinical instruction.  Most courses are designed to have some demonstrations and alb studies as well.  All aspects of the nursing assistant training course are designed to prepare students for their new career as well as the necessary certification test to get to that career.
You will learn some basic anatomy and physiology in a CNA class.  The course will provide you with the background you need to provide care services for your patients.  This is why you will need to learn some basic medical and science information.

A CNA class will provide you with information on privacy laws in your state and Federal privacy laws for patients.  The course will also teach you safety information to help you ensure that your patients are always safe.  You will also learn safety measures to prevent your own injury when caring for patients.

A CNA class will help you learn to communicate well with patients even with those who will not be able to easily communicate with you.  The course should also help you to learn to protect the dignity of patients.  You will also learn the best ways to work and communicate with other members of your patients’ healthcare team.

Of course, you will learn dozens of CNA skills in your training class.  You will learn how to complete many of the most common duties associated with certified nursing assistants.  The course will teach you how to take and record patient vital signs and other pertinent information.

Your certified nursing assistant training course will teach you how to bathe and feed patients.  You will learn how to change patients who are unable to toilet on their own.  Additionally, you will learn how to help patients to dress or dress patients who cannot do so on their own.

A CNA training course will teach you how to prevent bedsores and how to safely reposition patients.  You will also learn how to move patients from bed to wheelchair and how to assistant patients who cannot walk well on their own.

Your training as a CNA, will help you to learn how to assist patients with activities of daily living and range of motion exercises.  There are a variety of skills that you will learn and then practice during your clinical experience portion of the course.

It is important to attend each and every classroom and clinical session during your training.  If you miss even just one session, you will find that you have missed a great deal of important information.  The more attention that you pay, the more you will learn during your classes and the better prepared you will be for your testing and for career.

Filed Under: CNA Classes

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Get Started

  • CNA Certification Information
  • CNA Classes by State
  • CNA Courses
  • CNA Exam Information
  • CNA Job Description
  • CNA Job Training
  • CNA License Information
  • CNA Online Training
  • CNA Programs
  • CNA Salary and Payscale
  • CNA Skills Information
  • CNA Training and Certification
  • Free CNA Training
  • Free HHA Training
  • Going from a CNA to a LVN/ LPN
  • Going from being a CNA to RN
  • How to write a Convincing CNA Resume
  • Nurse Aide Registries By State

Recent Posts

  • How to become a CNA Instructor
  • If you fail your CNA Exam, what next?
  • Travel CNA Job Description
  • Free CNA Training via Scholarships and Grants
  • Free CNA Training from Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
  • Travel Position for CNA
  • CNA Resume Examples for someone with Experience
  • How to receive Free CNA Training from Nursing Homes
  • How to get Free CNA Training from State Nursing Boards
  • CNA Job Interview Tips
  • Free CNA Training from the Job Corps
  • CNA Resume sample for someone with no experience
  • CNA Interview Questions and Answers
  • CNA Ethical and legal issues
  • How to be Professional as a CNA
CNA-Training-Tips-Expert-Author002

Copyright © 2023 · Executive Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in