Step 1 – Select Accredited CNA Training

The CNA training process in most situations, takes just 4-8 weeks to complete. Because of the growing need for Certified Nursing Assistants in every part of the country, you will likely find multiple CNA training programs in your area. Before choosing to enroll in one, however, there are a few important things you should consider.

CNA Program’s Accreditation Status

To make sure that your perspective CNA program’s curriculum will in fact qualify you to sit for a recognized CNA certification examination, you need to verify that its accreditation status with the appropriate local (or national) organizations is up-standing.

The (CCNE) Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is one of the largest national accrediting bodies and a leader in the industry of CNA training. But they are not alone, you’ll also find a number of state level organizations and other national bodies that provide oversight as well.

Online/Campus Combo Program or Traditional Campus Training?

In response to the recent popularity of distance learning, many programs now allow students to take portions of their CNA training, online. CNA courses online are great for anyone who must work while going to school, or may have small children and or other family responsibilities. Or maybe you are someone who just wants time flexibility for studying and doing it at his or her own pace is essential.

Topics and subject matter taught and covered in accredited CNA classes online is almost identical to what will be and is often covered in on campus or what is known as traditional classes. But, there is a difference. The differences between the them comes in the amount of clinical hours where online CNA students are responsible for coordinating their own training schedules with local hospitals or clinics. But this will vary from school to school. Be sure to verify all of this information with your perspective programs of choosing.

Step 2 – Pass the Certification Exam

After you have successfully passed your CNA classes, you then have to sit for the certification exam given to certified nursing aides and assistants, the NNAAP National Nurse Aide Assessment Program. You will want to find out what your state requirements are for licensing. Each state is different. To see what your states requirements are, click on your state below.

After Fulfilling the required hours for your certification, you will need to sign up for the test. You can email the NCSBN here – nnaap_maceinfo@ncsbn.org if you have questions about the exam.

The NNAAP test is given in states that have a contract with Pearson VUE testing. Your accredited program will assist you with testing times and dates after fulfilling the state required hours for licensing.

There is a fee associated with the test, it ranges in cost from state to state. Once you have paid the fee and finished the required hours, you can take the certification exam and get on your way to becoming a CNA!

Step 3 – Get Listed in the Nurse Aide Registry

To become a nursing assistant in each state comes with a few different demands. We have covered all of them except one. Getting listed on your state’s nursing aide registry.

Our interactive map provides all the contact information for each state’s registry. All you need to do is contact them and register. The hard part is done once you have fulfilled the required hours of clinical training and pass the licensing examination.

What is Covered in Classes

The programs you take in becoming a CNA cover various health related topics. You can expect to the ins and outs of patient point of care and how to treat patients with all the necessary medical care.

A skilled, knowledgeable and practical nurse assistant promotes  not only safety but problem solving and patience. Courses include in most states, supervised clinical training and formal classroom training and testing. Students, in most cases, study the following:

1. Basic Disease and Illness Symptoms
2. Physiology and Anatomy
3. Common Medical Terminology
4. Basic Body Mechanics
5. All Patient Rights
6. Nutrition and Diet Information
7. Stroke Signs and Symptoms

Skills you Will Learn in CNA Programs

1. Ability to check vital signs
2. Be able to assess a patient’s basic health condition
3. Take common diagnostic tests – Collect samples
4. Learn the heart failure and stroke signs and symptoms

More Skills Available With Proper Nurse Aide Training

1. Provide some rehabilitation
2. Basics of Infection Control

With all these new skills you will be on your way to your goal! Trust your training from an accredited school.