Certified Nursing Assistant

Nursing assistant classes represent the basis for the education of a person who wants to pursue a career in health care without going to medical school. You can take a CNA course when you finish high-school or have your GED. The average training program takes between six and twelve weeks to complete, and the classes are held at local colleges, schools, in medical facilities or on the Internet.

What you’ll learn about

Basic healthcare safety is the essence of several courses that are mandatory for the nurse assistant program. Besides healthcare safety, there are anatomy classes, infection prevention and control classes, physiology classes, nutrition classes, hospital communications and patient communication classes. For some people, working in healthcare is a personal vocation, a professional calling, while for others it’s just professional decision that enables one to make a living.

Whichever be the case, at the completion of training, you should have developed the skills necessary for the nursing assistant to cover the main daily living needs of a patient. Every training program is divided into theoretical courses and contact hours. The latter give the trainee hands-on-experience either by practice on real patients or by observation of the hospital operations or the protocol in the medical facility.

More details on nursing assistant classes

Both theoretical and practical training prepare the prospective nurse assistant for the future career. All the tasks on patients are supervised by a registered nurse that teaches the trainee, preparing him/her for the coming professional challenges.

Some nursing assistant classes are conducted online as an option for people who have too busy a schedule to attend courses in campus. Yet, only the theoretical part of the nursing assistant training program can be covered on the Internet.

Job opportunities

At the end of nursing assistant classes, the trainee has to take an exam for the evaluation of the nursing assistant competency. Once you take the exam, you get registered and receive certification. A certified nursing assistant typically works in mental health facilities, in hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. There are are also certified nurse aides who find employment in private home setting.

The work experience you accumulate over the years can serve you not only for better wages, but also for continuing an education. There are lots of healthcare facilities that support their employees in the pursuit of higher education. With dedication to the job and hard work, you can move on from nursing aide to the status of registered nurse.

Ongoing training for certification

Even if you complete the nursing assistant classes necessary for certification and registration, there are continuation education courses that have to be taken each year, in order to maintain the certification active. You are no longer authorized to work in the branch if the certification becomes inactive. This usually happens after you take a break from work for a period longer than two years. Then, further education requirements are needed to become once again certified. Check with the local authorities to find out about the nursing assistant classes necessary.