CNA Training: How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant
Jobs that were once basic and did not require special education or certification are now requiring formal training and recognizable certification. This is especially true of healthcare positions including nurse’s aide and nursing assistant or CNA. Until 1987, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities did not have to follow specific standards or regulations. Each facility was responsible to set their own standards which in many cases were quite lacking when it came to proper patient care. Instances of mistreatment and abuse were highlighted by the media. Outrage eventually led to the government’s involvement in regulating patient care. OBRA or Omnibus Budget and Reform Act, was created and it requires that all institutions follow certain guidelines especially if they receive funding from government programs like Medicaid or Medicare.
OBRA regulations protect the rights of patients while also improving the qualifications for registered nurses, food handlers, maintenance, housekeeping and other medical services associated with patient care. OBRA also requires that each state keep a registry of CNA activity including certification date, conduct reports of abuse or neglect, and any lapses in employment.
The new standards also forced each state to become more involved in the regulation of training and certification of a CNA or certified nursing assistant. Examination and certification for CNAs and other healthcare workers varies from state to state. Certain steps must be followed in order to become a CNA. The process begins by contacting a local state or community health agency to find out about the minimum training and certification requirements. Check in the blue pages or government section of a local phone book or contact employment agencies. You can also contact the human resource department of a specific facility you are interested in working at. Some facilities offer training and certification to potential employees.
Most facilities require that a CNA have at least a high school diploma or GED prior to enrolling in a state approved program for training. Most programs require 75 to 150 hours of classes and training. Some institutions will hire you before you complete the certification but you will need to get certified within the first four months of employment. Each facility will have a specific set of duties for a CNA but basic training consists of maintaining the emotional and physical well being of each individual patient. The work is not easy and can get even more difficult depending on a patient’s special needs. Characteristics or traits expected in nursing assistant jobs include patience, dedication, compassion, and most important reliability. If you plan to work for a hospital, nursing home, or any other type of medical office, you must be willing to work a flexible schedule with shifts that range from 8, 10, to 12 hours.
Communication and ability to work cooperatively with others is important if you are looking for success in CNA work. The physical strains alone are also quite demanding. Standing for long hours, lifting and moving of patients, supplies, or equipment are very physically demanding activities. CNA careers can be quite demanding, both emotionally and physically, but it is much easier when a team of medical professionals are able to work together with complete focus on patient needs and care.
CNA training basically consists of the most common aspects of providing care to patients including duties such as communication with both patients and other healthcare professionals; bathing, dressing, and feeding patients; assisting patients in and out of bed when necessary; prepping and storage of medical supplies and equipment; ability to take a patient’s vital signs including pulse, temperature, respiration, and blood pressure; cleaning or emptying of bedpans and measuring the output of urine when needed; ability to change bed linens and other sanitary items; answering phones and delivery of messages to patients and other staff.
CNA classes prepare individuals for a CNA certification exam which typically includes both written and performance tests. The written portion consists of 55 to 70 multiple choice questions and the performance potion includes three to five performance tests which determine skill and knowledge of basic care procedures. The skills portion tests performance in basic nursing tasks such as personal care, basic nursing knowledge, ability to recognize a mental health or social service need, basic restorative devices, and patient’s rights.
CNA jobs are in high demand with many shortages of certified individuals. Certified nursing assistant jobs typically pay from $7 to $14 per hour. CNA employment compensation varies depending on the region in which you live. Northern states tend to pay more than southern states. Most facilities offer paid holidays, medical benefits, overtime pay, and even pension plans to their employees so the field does have its perks. Heath care careers are also quite rewarding when it comes to receiving praise and appreciation from patients, family members, and other professionals. In many institutions, patients come in contact and receive only 10% of their care from doctors. The rest of the care comes directly from nurses, nursing assistants, and aides.
