CNA Training Tips

Introduction to CNA

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Become a CNA Online

It is possible to become a cna online (technically).  You can complete some of your nursing assistant certification training online.  However, your clinical training must be conducted offline. If an online training program says that you can finish all aspects of your training online, it is not a legitimate program or is not intended to lead to certification.  Online cna programs are often less expensive than other training programs.

Why would you want to become a cna online?  Training for a career as a nursing assistant online can be a good option if you already have a full-time job and want to train in your spare time.  Online training is also a good option if you are a busy parent who needs to fit in your studies whenever you have a free moment.

The classroom portion of nursing assistant training can be completed on the Internet.  If you want to become a certified nursing assistant, you need to complete training through a program that has been approved by the state.  After that training, you will need to pass the exam for certified CNAs.  If you decide to try online cna courses, you will want to make certain that the course is fully accredited in your state.

When you train to be a cna online, you will need to read modules (or textbooks), complete assignments and even take tests.  You will learn theories and basic medical procedures through your online training.  You will probably also view instructional videos to help you learn more about the skills performed by nursing assistants.

The clinical segment of your certified nursing assistant training cannot be completed online.  This will need to be done at a healthcare facility or another training center.  You will need to contact the online school offering cna training in order to find out where you can complete your clinical training in your area.

It is essential that you make certain that there is a place in your community that will allow you to complete your cna training when you are attending an online nursing assistant training program.  Your clinical training will need to be completed under the supervision of a professional nurse.

Online training programs can prepare you well for a career as a nursing assistant.  You will need to be a motivated individual who is also a self-starter if you want to successfully complete training online.  It will be necessary to keep up with your work and to finish all reading and written assignments.

When you complete all aspects of a nursing assistant training program online (including your offline clinical training), you will need to sit for the nursing assistant competency exam in your state.  You will not be able to receive your certification until/unless you receive a passing grade on the exam.

Take your time when looking for online cna training programs.  You need to do so in order to find a program that is fully accredited and to find one that will meet your learning needs.

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CNA Recertification

If you have recently obtained your nursing assistant certification, it is important for you to know that your certification is not valid for life.  CNA recertification occurs every two years.  There are some things you must do to make certain that your certification does not expire or become invalid.

CNA recertification is not overly difficult.  Every two years, you will have paperwork to complete.  Some of the information will be completed by you and others will be completed by your employer.  You should receive the application for recertification several weeks before it is due.

The application for recertification will be submitted to the State Board of Nursing.  Any fees associated with CNA recertification are minimal.  If you work for a nursing care facility (especially one that is Medicare certified), your employer might pay the fees for you.

Some certified nursing assistants only work on a part-time basis.  In fact, some CNAs just work on a per diem basis.  It is not necessary to work many hours to retain your certification.  Most states will require that you work for at least 150 hours within a two year period in order to be able to apply for recertification.  Some states might require you to put in a few more hours that that.

If you do not work 150 hours during the two-year period, there will be steps you must take to maintain your certification.  The exact process will depend on the state where you live.  The State Board of Nursing can help you determine what steps you must take to retain certification.  Some states will require you to take a nursing assistant training program again while others might require you to sit for the nursing assistant exam again.

You must notify your employer immediately if you realize that you forgot to become recertified.  Depending on the state where you live, you might be able to continue working for a few weeks while you obtain your new certification.  Again, it will depend on the state where you live as to whether or not you will need to repeat training or the nursing assistant competency exam.

Some states will allow you to sit for the competency exam if your certification has expired.  As long as you pass the exam, you will be able to renew your certification and continue working as a certified nursing assistant.

If you have just started a career as a certified nursing assistant, it is important to remember that you will need to complete continuing education credits each year.  These credits will be necessary if you want to retain a valid certification.  The courses will help to ensure that you always have the knowledge you need to provide excellent care to patients.

Some continuing education credits are offered online.  There might be some training that must be taken at a local university or another local healthcare facility.  Many employers offer in-service sessions to help nursing assistants and other healthcare providers complete their continuing education credits to retain an active certification.

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Become a Certified CNA

A certified CNA is a nursing assistant who has obtained certification.  In order to become a certified cna, an individual needs to complete training requirements according to both state and federal standards.  Certification requires training classes designed for individuals who want a career as a CNA as well as a CNA competency exam.

Education Process

It only takes a few weeks and several hundred dollars to train for work as a nursing assistant. The length of training time will vary from one state to another.  Courses must include at least 75 hours of study though many training programs offer much more training time than that.

Anyone who is interested in working as a certified CNA must take a training program that is approved by the state and meets all federal and state requirements.  A nursing assistant training program provides individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to take (and pass) the certification exam and to work as a certified nursing assistant.

Job Duties

An individual who works as a certified CNA will provide a variety of basic care services to patients in healthcare settings.  Nursing assistants are seen most frequently in long-term care facilities and other nursing care facilities.

Nursing assistants help patients with a wide range of activities of daily living including:  bathing, dressing, grooming and eating.  Nursing assistants often help patients to remain mobile and help to rotate patients in their beds if they are not mobile.

A CNA will help to monitor a patient’s vital signs and to record any other important details about their care and condition.  Some nursing assistants are also responsible for helping individuals with their range of motion exercises.

Nursing assistants who work in home health settings often have some additional duties.  They are often responsible for proving their patient’s with some light household duties.  Home health nursing assistants sometimes provide companionship for clients and will also accompany clients to doctor’s appointments and therapy appointments.

A nursing assistant must provide kind and compassionate care for their patient’s at all times.  CNAs help to keep patients comfort when they are in a healthcare setting.  They answer call balls and provide a range of basic care services for patients.

Maintaining Certification

It is usually necessary to apply for recertification every two years when working as a nursing assistant.  Nursing assistants must fill out recertification paperwork (some of which is completed by the employer) and submit it to the State Board of Nursing or the Nursing Aide Registry (as required by the state).  Every year nursing assistants will need to complete some continuing education credits.  CNAs must work 150 hours each two years to be eligible for recertification.  If a certified CNA allows their certification to lapse, they might be required to retake the certification exam or to complete a training course again (it depends on the state).


Working as a certified cna can be a rewarding career especially for individuals who like to help others.  Some nursing assistants will go on to become nurses or other healthcare professionals.

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Certified Nursing Assistant

A certified nursing assistant is commonly referred to as a CNA.  A CNA will work in a healthcare setting including home health settings.  Nursing assistants provide some base level care for patients who are injured or ill.  There is a process individuals must follow in order to receive certification as a nursing assistant.

Anyone who wishes to start a career as a certified nursing assistant must complete training.  Training must be through a state approved CNA course.  The course must be completed in its entirety.  After completing cna education courses, students will then need to take and pass a certification exam.  It is after all of that his completed than an individual can become a certified nursing assistant.

There are some characteristics and features that someone should have if they want to be a nursing assistant.  A nursing assistant cannot be afraid of hard work or long hours.  Nursing aides often need to work long shifts and are not able to sit down very much.
A nursing assistant must be able to work under the direction of other healthcare providers and to follow instructions very carefully.  It is essential to be patient when working as a nursing assistant.  Some tasks that must be completed by nursing assistants are not glamorous.

Certified nursing assistants provide a wide range of tasks for patients.  Nursing assistants work in long-term and continuing care communities.  They are in high demand in skilled nursing facilities.  Some hospitals and rehabilitation centers also hire nursing assistants.  Home health agencies utilize nursing assistants as well.

A CNA will help a patient with a range of activities depending on the patient’s condition.  Some individuals will simply need help with their activities of daily living.  They might need some help with dress, grooming, moving around or eating.
There will be patients who need a more extensive range of care.  Some individuals are not able to toilet on their own or to eat on their own.  Nursing assistants often take steps to help prevent bed sores in patients who are unable to be mobile.

Nursing assistants monitor vital signs and might be asked to document other important details about a patients care and condition in their chart as well.  In home health settings, nursing assistants are often able to provide some companionship and light household duties for clients in addition to nursing related services.

A job as a certified nursing assistant is an entry-level healthcare position.  Nursing assistants typically make between $11 and $15 per hour. The rates vary depending on the state where someone works and how long they have been working as a nursing assistant.

Some states offer opportunities for nursing assistants to specialize.  They can therefore earn even more income.  Some home health agencies pay their nursing assistants higher rates especially for those who must travel around a lot to work with clients.

A job as a certified nursing assistant can be rewarding for anyone who wants a job where they can make the difference in the lives of people who are suffering from health problems or difficulty with activities of daily living as they age.

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CNA Education

CNA education is the education that an individual needs to be able to work as a certified nursing assistant.  Education to become a CNA involves a training course with both classroom and clinical instruction.  Upon completion of this course, you will need to take a competency exam and pass the exam for your certification.

Before Becoming a CNA

Before working as a certified nursing assistant, you will need to enroll in CNA training classes that are approved by the state.  The cna education classes will provide you with the background information you need to begin a career providing basic care for patients while always maintaining their dignity and privacy.

Your classes will teach you how to prevent accidents and to keep patient’s safe.  CNA training teaches you the proper way to take vital signs and to maintain charts.

CNA education classes will teach you the most common duties and skills you need to perform as a nursing assistant.  You will learn how to help patients bathe and dress. The course will teach you to bathe and change patients who are too ill to do so themselves.  At all times you will be maintaining a patient’s dignity and treating them with respect.

Your training will teach you to rotate patients who are unable to move well on their own.  You will learn how to prevent bedsores.  These are just a few of the skills that your training will teach you.  It will be important to pay close attention and to ask for help if needed when you are training.

The cna education classes prepare you for a job as a nursing assistant.  The courses are designed to make certain you know how to complete all cna duties in a manner that is safe for you and your patients.  Courses will try to help you with every aspect of your work including developing good communication skills.

You will sit for the nursing assistant competency exam after you complete your training.  If you have enrolled in a good training course and taken the time to prepare and practice for your exam, you should do quite well.  Once you pass both parts of the certification testing, you can become certified.

After Certification

CNA education does not end once you receive your certification.  There are changes and updates in the healthcare industry on a regular basis.  To ensure that you are always ready to provide the best care for your patients, you will be required to complete continuing education credits each year.

Your education will continue throughout your career as a nursing assistant. You will need to complete continuing education credits.  Sometimes you will need to attend training in a classroom setting.  There will be other times when you simply need to attend in-services to further develop your skills.

It is necessary to complete the required number of continuing education credits each year in order to retain an active certification.  If you do not complete the state mandated number of credits, your license will lapse and it will need to be renewed.