CNA Classes

Work as a CNA cannot start until you complete a cna training course and sit for (and pass) the nursing assistant competency exam.  There are many locations in your area where you can look to find cna schools.  CNA programs must be approved by the state to make you eligible for the certification exam.

Contact local colleges in your area especially community colleges and other colleges offering non-degree programs.  Certified nursing assistants are in high demand.  Nursing assistants are seen most frequently in long-term and continuing care communities working with the aging population.

Many continuing education institutions are beginning to offer training for individual who want to work as nursing assistants.  These courses will often last for only a few weeks though some colleges opt to make a nursing assistant course last for the duration of one semester.

CNA schools are sometimes offered within nursing schools.  In fact, many nursing programs are now requiring applicants to have a CNA certification.  You should check with any nursing schools or programs in your community and surrounding community to find training programs for CNAs.

The American Red Cross offers training for nursing assistant in many cities throughout the United States.  There are about 36 chapters of the Red Cross that have cna schools.  These training schools offer students with excellent training and graduates are always prepared for the certification exam.

Nursing care facilities often hold their own cna schools on a regular basis.  These facilities train individuals to work as certified nursing assistants (usually within their facility).  Students of these courses have the opportunity to work directly with patients when it comes time for hands on experience.

The tuition for nursing assistant classes depends on the class students attend.  Most classes are only a few hundred dollars and only last for a few weeks.  There are both part-time and full-time class options available to students.  It is usually easy for individuals to find classes that meet their schedule and needs.

CNA schools follow standards that are set forth by the state.  The classes must adhere to at least a minimum number of instruction hours.  Instruction hours must offer both classroom and clinical studies.  Depending on the state, more hours of one or the other format might be required.

Students must attend all classes unless they have a good reason for missing a session. A student will need to contact their instructor immediately if they ever need to miss a training session at their cna school.  Students will need to pass tests and assignments during their classes.

Upon graduation from one of the cna schools, students will need to submit their paperwork to apply to challenge the nursing assistant certification exam.  It is not until students pass this exam successfully that they are able to receive their nursing assistant certification.

CNA classes prepare students to work successfully as nursing assistants.  The classes provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to work well with patients and to play a vital role on the healthcare team for patients in a healthcare setting.

You will not be able to start a career as a certified nursing assistant until you take a CNA training class.  The class will provide you with the instruction you need to work as a CNA.  It will also provide you with the knowledge you need to sit for the certification exam in your state.  Each state has their own requirements for a CNA training class.  The courses must meet federal standards as well as those set forth by the state.

The minimum length for a CNA course will depend on the state where the course is located.  Students must spend time in both a classroom and a clinical setting to complete their training.  The federal government says that certified nursing assistants must have completed at least 75 hours of training.  Most states require more than a total of 75 hours between the clinical and classroom instruction.  Some require 120 hours or more of study.

A CNA training class will teach a student a great deal about a career as a nursing assistant.  Students will learn about patient privacy laws.  They will learn the best way to communicate with patients.  The class will help students to learn how to provide compassionate care for patients under all circumstances.  Students will also learn how to interact with other healthcare providers on staff.

You will learn a variety of skills that you will need as a certified nursing assistant when you take a CNA classes.  The course will teach you how to assist patient’s with activities of daily living including:  bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and toileting.  You will learn how to safely help patient’s move from bed to wheelchair.  When you are in a training class, you will learn how to rotate patients who are not mobile and other steps to prevent patient bedsores.

It is important to attend each of your classroom lectures and demonstrations so that you do not miss any important information.  Most CNA classes are fast paced and so you do not want to miss anything.  It is also critical that you do not miss any of your clinical study days.  The skills and information you learned during your training classes will be used when you have your hands on study working in a healthcare facility.

Your CNA class will be taught by a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse.  Most states require that a nurse have been in practice for at least two years before teaching a CNA course.  Other healthcare professionals might join the class from time to time to help you learn some of the skills you will need as a certified nursing assistant.

A good CNA training class will have you well prepared to sit for the certification competency exam.  You will be armed with the knowledge you need to pass both the written and skilled portions of the certification test.  Make certain to review and study all materials from your training class before it is time to sit for the exam.

A CNA is someone who works as a certified nursing assistant.  These professionals work in healthcare settings.  They are most frequently seen in nursing homes and home health settings though many hospitals and rehabilitation centers hire nursing assistants as well.  You cannot work as a CNA until you complete a CNA training course and pass the competency examination for certification.

There are many different places you can look to find a CNA training program.  Most nursing care facilities offer training for nursing assistants.  Most people who attend this training have been hired to work as a CNA for the facility upon completion of the course.  It is not uncommon to find a CNA training course offered at a local community college or at a nursing school.  About 3 dozen branches of the American Red Cross also offer training courses for nursing assistants.

Nursing assistant training courses usually range in price from about $400-$1000.  Courses usually run about 3-12 weeks depending on whether they are offered on a full or part-time basis.  When a CNA training course is offered through a college or university, the course often lasts for one semester.  You can find training courses in the day, evenings and even on weekends.

A CNA training course will teach you a great deal about a career as a certified nursing assistant.  You will learn how to provide basic care for patients including helping patients with activities of daily living and mobility.  Your training will help you prepare to be able to communicate well with patients while always maintaining their privacy and dignity.

There are various instructional methods that will be used during a training course to teach you what you need to know.  Lectures, textbooks and handouts often make up the first portion of your course.  It is not uncommon for teachers to use role-playing to help you learn how to perform tasks of a CNA.  Some lab work is usually introduced during a nursing aide training course as well.

The other part of your CNA training course will include hands on experienced.  You will spend several days or more working under the direction of you instructor within a healthcare facility.  It will be necessary to spend some of your time watching other nursing assistants and healthcare providers work.  You will then have an opportunity to provide some care for patients on your own.

A CNA training course must be approved by the state in which you are training in order for you to be eligible for the certification exam.  An approved course will meet all curriculum requirements set forth by the state.  Once you have completed all classroom and clinical work for your training course, you will be ready to sit for the certification exam.

The CNA certification test will require you to answer a variety of multiple choice questions.  After you finish this part of the test, you will need to demonstrate some of the skills you will use as a nursing assistant.  It is usually necessary to demonstrate at least 5 different skills.  When you pass both portions of the test, you will be able to receive your certification.

Before you are able to work as a certified nursing assistant (someone who provides basic care for patients under the direction of a nurse), you will need to complete a CNA training course.  Make certain that you find CNA Training Classes that are accredited within your state.  Watch out for nursing aide training classes that are not accredited and that do not make you eligible to apply for nursing assistant certification.

Options for CNA Training Classes

When you are looking for a CNA training class, you will probably find that there are many options within your local area.  You should check with continuing care communities and other nursing care facilities.

Contact any community colleges, technical schools and allied health colleges in your area communities.  You should also check with any nursing schools in your area since some of these schools will also offer training.  The American Red Cross is another option if you are looking for a great quality nursing assistant program.  About 3 dozen chapters of the Red Cross offer CNA training.

Cost and Time Requirements

The cost of tuition for CNA training classes will vary.  Most programs will cost less than $1000 with some for as little as about $400.  Many programs will only be about three or four weeks.  There are some places that offer training programs on a part-time or even just weekend basis.  These programs take a few more weeks to complete.  You will find that some colleges offer CNA training classes during their regular semesters and therefore these classes will last a little longer than most.

Overview of CNA Training Classes

CNA training classes prepare students for various aspects of a career as a certified nursing assistant.  These classes teach students about basic medical procedures.  They are designed to help you learn to protect not only the privacy but also the dignity of each patient.  Classes are designed to teach you the best ways to communicate well with patients as well as other healthcare workers.

CNA training classes will then begin to teach you how to properly perform the most common duties of a CNA.  You will have the opportunity to practice the skills you learn during the clinical portion of your course.  This is when you will need to ask questions and to carefully watch other CNAs and the nurses with whom you work.

CNA Training classes must meet all standards set forth by the state in which you are completing training.  Many of these states allow the State Board of Nursing or the Nursing Aide Registry to set these standards.  The number of hours of study you must complete will depend on the minimum requirements of the state and the program you attend.  Courses will be taught by qualified nurses.

CNA Certification Exam

The CNA training classes will prepare you for the completion of the certification exam.  You will need to pass this two part exam before becoming certified.  The exam will include a written segment and, of course, a skills portion where you demonstrate CNA duties to the person administering the exam.  If you pay attention in class and study well, there is a good chance you will pass the exam on the first try.  Most states allow you to take the test more than one time if you do not pass.  If you fail the test multiple times, it is often necessary to take CNA training classes again.

CNA training classes prepare you for a job as a certified nursing assistant.  The course will make you eligible to sit for the certification exam.