Congratulations on your decision to start your CNA training with us!
Enrolling as a Certified Nursing Assistant will allow you to enter a field that is in higher demand than ever before, and your chances of getting a job and becoming a CNA are more than excellent.
Training requirements vary from state to state. So select your state below to find out information on CNA training and schools, as well as free CNA classes available near you.
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Certified Nursing Assistant
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is considered a paraprofessional. What this means is they work closely with Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and other health care professionals without requiring a license to practice. Although a license is not required to practice as a nursing assistant, if you want to command a higher salary and also position yourself to advance up the health care career ladder, certification is a must.
CNAs are employed in a variety of environments. Demand is generally the highest in hospitals, nursing facilities and in private residencies. As the global population continues to age, the need for qualified, well-trained nursing assistants is great, no matter which part of the States or even the world that you’re located in; however, training requirements and regulations vary from State to State.
Qualifications to Become a CNA
Before applying to a nurse assistant program, candidates will require a high school diploma or equivalent GED. They should also be ready to undergo drug testing and criminal background checks.
Aside from these prerequisites, having strong communication skills is also important, as CNAs are often the link between patients and the RN or LPN. Other desirable qualities in a nursing assistant include being a team player, empathetic, having great “hands on” care skills and a commitment to ethics.
CNA Job Description
The focus of a CNA’s job duties may differ depending on the facility they are applying at. For example, nursing assistants working in hospitals may have a more supportive role, while others working in nursing homes will be expected to work more closely with patients.
Typically however, the job duties of a CNA include the following:
- Assist individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Grooming
- Feeding
- Bathing
- Checking vital signs
- Assisting nurses with medical equipment
CNAs are also responsible for monitoring and reporting on how patients respond to the care that is administered.
CNA Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that demand for nursing assistants, orderlies and attendants is expected to grow an astonishing 20 percent by the year 2020. This is significantly higher than the national average for other occupations. As long as a candidate meets the qualifications and has completed the proper training, they will have an excellent chance of being hired, regardless of the State they are located in.
To find out the training requirements that apply in your State, make sure to contact your State’s Nursing Aide Registry/Board before looking into nursing schools in your area.
CNA Training Online
To meet the national demand for trained nursing assistants, there are several choices available for students when it comes to CNA training. Licensed schools and some nursing homes offer pay programs or graduate Return Service Agreements; however an increasingly viable alternative is CNA classes online.
Before you consider enrolling in online CNA classes, keep in mind that each State has its own education and training requirements. Ensure the Certified Nursing Assistant online program that you choose meets those requirements. Contact your State’s Nursing Board to confirm which CNA online programs have been approved by the State.
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