CNA Training Programs

What does CNA Skills Test cover?

The Certified Nursing Assistant exam involves a written test and the practical or skills test.  This set of tests examines your understanding of the basic concepts and skills required for becoming a proficient Nurse’s Aide or Certified Nursing Assistant.

The CNA written test is comparatively easy to get through if you have been diligent in taking notes during the classroom sessions and are able to revise and recapitulate it all and you have gone through the nursing manuals supplied for the course, before appearing for the written test.  It covers all the fundamental concepts, the medical and pre- and post-surgical procedures that form the basis of the CNA training course.

The written test is easier than CNA Skils test to attempt.  This theory test generally covers medical knowledge of basic medical theory and medical procedures.  A CNA course takes a period of between a few weeks and three months to complete.  This includes theory classes conducted in the classroom along with practical training that gives guidance in clinical application to put the skills learned in the classroom to practical use.  Under the supervision of a guide, who is usually a registered nurse, the clinical training is conducted with real patients.

The clinical aspect of the CNA skills test is comparatively more of a challenge as it tests the individual’s clinical skills.  The examinee is requested to get a model patient to demonstrate their skill as a part of the practical examination.  The examiner then puts the examinee to test by asking them to display any of the various skills they have mastered during the course of their training sessions.

The clinical skills tested in the CNA skills test may include anything like taking a patient’s temperature, changing wound dressings of a patient, moving a patient from the bed to wheelchair, making the patient’s bed, holding a bedpan, grooming a patient or even just washing hands to display personal hygiene or knocking at the patient’s door before entering to demonstrate patient privacy.

All the demonstrated skills are observed carefully by the examiner who makes the evaluation. As a matter of precaution, it would be prudent on the part of the examinee to be calm and not stressed while performing any of the given tasks for evaluation of their clinical skills.  Your success in course completion is dependent on your composure and ability to stay calm under the most stressful conditions.

The supervision of the CNA exam is undertaken by a state examiner who carefully observes and evaluates every step of the examinee’s presentation.  The examiner may also evaluate the examinee by giving him a mock case and making him go through the motions of handling the model patient as if it were for real.  Recalling the minutest of details helps a great deal to demonstrate your skill at being in control of the situation.

CNA Skills Test Practice

So, are you ready for taking your CNA certification exam?  Well, if you have attended all your theory and practical classes sincerely, you should not be afraid to take the CNA exam. However, we recommend the following two books for your CNA Skills Test practice as well as for written CNA Test preparation.  Your confidence will boost up after using these valuable books and DVDs on written as well as skills test for CNA, and you will fare much better in these tests.

1.  Competency Exam Prep and Review for Nursing Assistants

2.  Mosby’s Textbook + Video Skills for Nursing Assistants

For more information, check this post on CNA Test preparation

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If you are among those who are interested in a nursing career, then you should also explore the possibilities to be eligible to get Free CNA Training from your potential employer.  The US Federal Government offers reimbursement for training through Medicare to the health industry employers.  This free training also includes CNA training programs.  All CNAs by law must clear a competency test as per federal requirement. This is the same for all health aides.  Health aides must also have seventy five hours minimum of state approved training.

The National Association for Home Care and Hospice also provides voluntary certification. This is mostly for states that need nursing aides to have a license.  Some high schools also provide free training for CNA certification test.

American Red Cross trains and tests CNAs but it is not free.  However, it is relatively less expensive in comparison to most paid CNA training programs.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) along with Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education is offering to cover cost of training of approximately 1000 CNA students for the year 2010.  All the money to fund this program has been collected form nursing homes that have defaulted by providing sub standard care.  CNAs working with long term  patients in a  nursing home and skilled facilities are eligible for these CNA training classes.
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Free CNA Training Classes

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The career of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a good step for students who want to make nursing their career.  On completion of the course, students have to appear for the State licensing exam in their state.  This CNA Certification examination comprises the theory and practical elements.

CNA Practical Exam
In the practical exam for CNA, the state examiner asks the student to carry out a few clinical tests on a volunteer.  The student must follow fundamental measures of sanitation and patient hygiene before starting the test as the examiner watches.  Results of the CNA exam are usually declared by the examiner on examination completion.

CNA Theory Exam
On completion of the practical exam, the student takes a CNA theory test on topics covered in the clinical training coursework.  These tests can also be taken online on numerous websites for free.  Theory exam results are declared within fifteen days and a temporary license is issued followed by permanent registration by the State licensing board.  Most permanent registrations have a year’s validity, to be renewed annually.

The initial license registration fee is a large amount; annual renewal charges vary in different states and costs far less.  In some states there is a requirement for continuing education or remunerated employment of a minimum number of hours in a health facility, based on which the license is issued.
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Renewing CNA License

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If you are looking for studying for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) within the comfort of your home and at your own pace, then going for an Online CNA training course is the answer.  Online CNA training courses are also cost efficient.   Online CNA training programs can help you prepare for the state CNA exam, as in most states there are no educational prerequisites to get trained for CNA certification.

Many who wish to become nurse aide or health-care professional like CNA do not have the opportunity or time or to undergo a campus based nursing assistant course or CNA training, as these courses may not be available near the place they reside or have schedules which may not be convenient to the candidates.  Some candidates may find the course fees to be not affordable.  For all such cases, undergoing online CNA training course can be the right choice, but one has to also consider that it also has some cons.  Some drawbacks of the online courses for CNA are the lack the live interaction with trainers, other students, and professionals. Moreover, you would not get any practice with clinical equipment, procedures, patients and the direct hands-on clinical exposure.

In order to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, you will have to take and pass the CNA exam for your state.  CNA training programs vary from state to state. You will first have to inquire about the requirements of training for being able to take the CNA test in your state. 
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Online CNA Training Programs

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The American Red Cross is well known for its CNA training.  They have the facilities and  training faculty which are supposedly the best in the field.  The CNA training is conducted by  highly experienced professionals.  The training offered by the Red Cross organization is not free, although it is low cost CNA training compared to other paid CNA Training courses.

Red Cross CNA training programs are offered in  the US across thirty six cities.  This is a great opportunity for beginners who are considering health care as a career.  For many health care professional, CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is a stepping stone to becoming a RN (Registered Nurse) .

American Red Cross makes sure that it meets the federal standards for CNA training.  Every chapter has its program designed to meet the licensing requirements of the state.  This includes training hours, standards, practices and procedures.  The hours and cost of different programs will differ as per state licensing requirement.

The cost can be anywhere between 1,000 to 2,000 dollars depending on the state and can vary in different cities.

The Red Cross chapters providing CNA training programs are as follows:-
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Red Cross CNA Training Chapters

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Obtaining a license as a certified nursing assistant is the primary prerequisite for a career in nursing.  The specifications for acquiring a license vary state- and location-wise.  A few general conditions that must be kept in mind to apply for a license are:

Age: The age requirement for a candidate applying for a certified nursing assistant course is over 18 years.

High School education: Some states require the candidate to have finished a basic education of at least eight years inclusive and covering courses relevant to applied knowledge and essential biological awareness of the human physiology or display proof of familiarity of the subject.

English language: Knowledge and understanding of the English language is essential in order to be able to speak with patients and their families in the language.

Transcripts: Ensure all official college curriculum transcripts are available at hand to show to the licensing authority to prove authenticity.
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CNA Licensing requirements

Training for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) gets you ready to take the state CNA certification exam.  Once you pass the test with a minimum of 80%, you will be able to work as a CNA under the supervision of an RN or Registered Nurse.  Registered nurses usually teach at CNA Schools. Completion of the CNA training course can take a minimum of two to six weeks of full-time work.  During this time you will be taught some ethical and legal responsibilities you will undertake in your profession as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

The tests conducted for qualifying for a CNA position involves two aspects – the theory test and practical test. The training and tests are conducted for academics and clinical training. The theory can be done online, but clinical training involves working part-time with a health care facility, a nursing home or a local hospital.  Training may differ according to state requirements and could range from a couple of weeks to a few months.  Completion of the course prepares one to take the CNA as  a career, and to be able to give care to the mentally or physically sick, hurt, or disabled patients at a nursing home or a hospital.

The clinical part of CNA training for a Certified Nursing Assistant prepares the CNA to be able to check the vital signs of a patient like pulse rate, temperature, respiratory rate and blood pressure,
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What do you learn in CNA training classes?

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CNA training programs for getting qualified as certified nursing assistant are offered in many community colleges in Michigan state.

Free Red Cross CNA Training in Michigan

Free Red Cross CNA training is also available in the state of Michigan.  A new program known as  No worker Left Behind has just been launched.  They train you free for becoming a CNA, LCP or PCA. If you ate making under $40000 a year you can qualify for it.  More information is available with Michigan Works office or Red Cross Office in Detroit, Southeastern Michigan.

CNA Training Programs in Michigan

Colleges in Michigan State that are offering CNA training courses  include Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Lansing Community College in Lansing,  and Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.  CNA Training Programs offered by these schools can be completed within few months or weeks.
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CNA Training Programs in Michigan

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Appropriate dressing and personal maintenance is important in almost all professions.   For Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), professional appearance and personal hygiene is more important compared to any other professions.  It is a reflection of how a CNA will take care of their patient’s personal hygiene.

Certified nursing assistants who are particular about their personal hygiene clearly show their commitment to their profession.  Since, CNAs are in the profession of maintaining the daily well being of others, it is necessary that they show their ability of maintaining their own hygiene.

You can perform your duties as a CNA with ease if your clothing are comfortable and suitable for your job requirements.  Being in an appropriate dress is required for nurse and other clinical personnel.  Nursing assistants have to wear nursing scrubs while performing their daily job.  The style or color of scrubs may vary according to the employer but wearing scrubs is a must.  It is better to have enough sets of so that you always have a clean set of scrubs for you to wear.  As wrinkles give unprofessional look, always wear properly washed and pressed scrubs which will give you a smart appearance.  You can get sets of scrubs and accessories for nurses and nursing assistants at affordable price in different stores.
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Personal Hygiene for Nursing Assistants

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Job description of CNA involves providing basic health care to patients under the guidance of staff nurse.  Typically CNA jobs involve duties such as bathe, feed, dress, move or groom and also change linens of patients. The Pay Scale of Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is based on the job titles such as Orderlies, Attendants and Nursing Aides.

The basic pay structure of CNAs differs from state to state.  CNAs are normally paid on hourly basis.  Working in a city as CNA can be rewarding as you can get higher hourly CNA salaries  compared to that in rural area.  Certified Nurse Assistant also gets paid on the basis of his or her experience.  More the experience better chances of getting higher hourly CNA salary.  Less experienced or inexperienced CNAs can still expect to earn a hourly wage between $8 to $11.  For example any CNAs with working experience of 1 year can expect to get hourly salaries of around $12 to $14.  Many nursing homes provide attractive benefits to CNAs and also pay hourly salary comparable to that in other big hospitals.  Displayed below are typical average hourly salaries of CNAs in a some popular states.

* Pennsylvania $11.64
* California $11.58
* Florida $10.75
* Illinois $10.45
* Texas $9.84
* North Carolina $9.73
* Georgia $9.22

CNA salaries also depend on the experience. Typically the CNA salary range is as follows

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CNA Salaries by State

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Certified Nursing Assistants are specially trained technicians for patient care and have to work in various demanding environments.  Trained CNAs are hired in hospitals, health care clinics, long term and continuing care facilities, psychiatric care settings or as they can work as home nursing aides.  There are many CNA training schools, but selecting a good and effective CNA training program is quite a challenging job.

Before selecting a CNA training School,  you should take certain factors into consideration. Some of these are as follows:

Location of CNA School

First thing to note while selecting any CNA training school is its location and the distance you need to travel to reach the school.  If you prefer not to travel long distance, then you should finalize on school near your residence.  You also need to examine the class and school size as some students opt for smaller schools and classes to get individual attention, while others may opt for bigger schools with more students.

Facilities Available in CNA College

If you wish to work as a Certified Nursing Assistants in health care services, the most important factor  is practical experience.  So while selecting any CNA training school always make sure that it is  affiliated with nursing homes, hospitals or any other health care center where you can practice your CNA skills and gain practical knowledge.

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How to choose the right CNA training School?

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Red Cross is a prominent name in medical service. The main objective of Red Cross is to offer help to the people in need for medical need and recovery.  Red Cross also offers training programs and tests for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).  CNA certification through the American Red Cross is nationally recognized in the United States.  The Red Cross Certified Nursing Assistant Training is perfect for those who have passion to become a responsible nurse.  The Red Cross CNA Training programs are available in several states and are designed based on the requirements of each state.  CNA training hours and other program requirements may vary from state to state.

You would need a lot of dedication and hard work to quality for the Red Cross CNA course,  as it is a hands on training program.  However, once you qualify, you will be working as an certified nursing assistant within 6 to 12 weeks.  For successful completion of the Nursing Assistant Training program, you need to fully participate in classroom and skill sessions, apart from performing successfully in knowledge and skill evaluations.  The training imparts knowledge about  nutrition, infection control and physiology.  It also lets you get the clinical and practical experience to provide critical care to patients.

The Red Cross CNA training involves lot of strenuous activities; you should therefore ensure that you meet the course requirements in case you have any physical disability or medical condition that may restrict you from participating in the skill sessions.

The Red Cross CNA examination has two sections, Written Test and Skills Test.  You can complete the entire examination in a day as it approximately takes 5 hours 30 minutes.  You can appear for the written test only after successfully passing the skills test. You will receive the test results on the same day you take the test.  Upon passing the test, you will receive the certification – Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) – recognized by your state.
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Red Cross CNA Training

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