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 candidate is requested to get a model patient to demonstrate their skill as a part of the practical examination.  The examiner then puts the candidate 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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When you undergo CNA training, you will learn about taking vital signs also known as vital parameters.  This is one of the most important lessons that an aspiring nursing assistant undertake.  Taking vital signs is necessary in order to check whether an individual’s body is functioning properly.  Any fluctuation in the vital signs, the person feels discomfort and falls sick.  Nursing assistants help the nurses in measuring and monitoring the vital signs of patients throughout their shifts.

Measuring for vital signs would include monitoring the breathing rate of a patient by checking his lungs, checking the blood pressure of the patient, monitoring a person’s body temperature, and checking the pulse rate.  Every individual whether woman or man has a standard number for vital signs corresponding to her or his age.  Therefore, in order to assess your patient’s condition accurately, you need to take the vital signs tests efficiently and accurately.

Pulse rate: The functioning of the heart is determined by how the pulse of a person works.  If the pulse misses a beat, or is very slow, or is very fast, then this indicates that the patient is suffering from some kind of medical condition and needs to be treated immediately.  The pulse rate can be checked from numerous places in the body.  The most common practice for checking the pulse rate is by placing the ring, middle and index fingers on wrist where the artery is located.  The pulse can also be obtained by the arteries situated in the arms and neck, the back portion of the knees, the thighs, the abdomen and also by checking the heart beat or heart rate.

Body Temperature: It is very important for the human body to maintain normal body temperature.  Any fluctuation in the body temperature makes the body weak and if it is a very minor change, that is okay.  But if the body gets heated to a great extent, it could be an indication of a severe disease and immediate action should be taken by administering appropriate medication.  The temperature of the body can be measured very easily by using a thermometer.  To measure the body temperature, a thermometer can be used anally, orally or it can be placed beneath the armpit.  These days the advanced digital brand of thermometers are available for measuring the temperature precisely.

Blood Pressure: The pressure exerted by the blood on the blood vessels and arteries of the heart can be found by checking the blood pressure of the patient.  It is important that an individual maintains normal blood pressure.  It is essential to measure blood pressure for both diastolic and systolic pressures.  If there is pressure when the ventricles of the heart are contracting, then it is known as systolic pressure.  On the other hand, if there is pressure on the ventricles when it is filled with blood, then it is known as diastolic pressure.  It is important that an adult maintains a blood pressure of 120/80 which is considered normal.  Here 120 represents the systolic pressure and 80 represents the diastolic pressure.  There are manual devices to check blood pressure, but now days with plenty of electronic devices, measuring blood pressure has become very easy.

Breathing rate: The lung health of an individual is determined by checking the respiratory rate or breathing rate of that individual.  This is done with the help of a stethoscope where the individual is asked to breathe in and then breathe out.  Any disturbance or fluctuation in the respiratory rate indicates poor lung health.

When you are undergoing CNA training, you’ll learn how to take vital parameters.  In the skills training, you may also get an opportunity to take vital signs of a patient.  This type of training should make you confident to face the CNA skils test where you’d be required to demonstrate taking vital signs.  Once you pass your CNA test and be a certfied nursing assistant, you’d have become an expert in taking vital signs.

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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.

There are close to 66,000 CNAs who are certified and registered in the state of Oklahoma.  These 66,000 are eligible for applying  for free training as CNAs.  Since in 2010, only 1,000 students are going to be funded  the competition is very high.  If accepted, the students are given instructions on immunization.  Also, a criminal background check as well as a drug screening test is done as an eligibility criteria to undergo the CNA training classes.

The CNA training is for 30 hours.  It has 11 modules each of which is 3 hrs long. This  five day training focuses on teamwork, safety, nutrition, aging, dementia care, illness, importance of family, restorative care, dying and spirituality.  For CNA certification the student needs to pass after taking the state exam.

Another choice would be free CNA classes that are available online.  But these only cover certain topics and may not have everything that is necessary for passing the exam.  So be sure whether the site you refer to is showing topics to pass CNA exam or just general information.

The projected rate of job growth for nursing aides and assistants is 28% between 2006 & 2016. But although the job growth is tremendous, opportunities for advancing may be less as compared to an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse).  Hence it is recommended that CNAs continue their studies and education to certification as an LPN or RN (registered nurse).  Online LPN classes are also available.

We hope this answers most of your questions about free CNA training classses. You may also read another post  on Free CNA Training for more details.

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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.

CNA school Accreditation Certificate

Select CNA training schools which are reputed and accredited by National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing and Education (CCNE).  This accreditation proves that CNA training school has all the essential standards of education set down by these nursing specialized institutions and this also indicates that you will definitely get best education.

Training Facility at CNA Schools

Certified Nursing Assistants deal with patient care sector.  For some one who is a people person becoming a Certified Nursing Assistants is a great job.  By becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant you get a certificate from the state signifying that the person has a designated level of training needed to become a nursing aide.

Every state has set up different training regulations to certify the Certified Nursing Assistant.  According to the Federal government a qualified CNA should have ninety-one hours of training which includes sixteen hours training under the supervised clinical environment.

So the key factor to consider while selecting any CNA training school is to check the training facility available for CNA training.  Before taking admission, visit the school and go around to find out the training facility available.

Tuition Fees of CNA Training Course

Tuition fee for CNA training differs from school to school and is based on many other factors like whether you are a out-state or in-state student and whether the CNA school is public or private.  Many schools offer scholarship and this can help to all those needy and prospective CNAs to cope with their finances though the scholarship policies may differ according to the school and it is always better to inquire about the available CNA scholarship before taking admission.

To get better idea about CNA training school and its quality you also need to interact with recent graduates from the respective schools or current students who are on the better side to guide you. You can also do it online if the CNA school has any discussion forums.

Other than these CNA training schools,  free CNA training is also available at some institutions where you’d  have to work for them in return of the training received.  Another option is online CNA training courses.

As you are going to invest your valuable time, money and energy in this CNA training,  it is important that you choose the proper CNA training school which will help you to become qualified Certified Nursing Assistant.  So always investigate properly before taking admission in any institution.

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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.

The minimum requirements for applying for Red Cross CNA are as follows:

• Minimum age is of 18 years
• Applicant cannot be pregnant
• No felony for last 7 years
• Must not have any infectious diseases
• $35 screening fee – non-refundable unless you fail the background check and/or TB test

Upon enrolment in the training program, the participant has to follow strict rules:

• Timely arrival in class is a must
• Full attendance is mandatory , only 6 missed hours are permitted which you would need to make up
• Applicant must pass the final exam with minimum score of 80%.

Participant is expected to wear comfortable clothes as class activities involve strenuous activities including lying  and kneeling on the floor.  Transportation costs for both the classroom and clinical site are borne by the applicant.
Once you pass the [Red Cross CNA test, you will be qualified to work as a certified nursing assistant;  your starting salary can be anywhere from $24,000 to $30,000 per year – much more than the minimum wages.  It therefore makes good sense to go for the Red Cross CNA Certification.

You can find more information about Red Cross CNA Training Chapters in the United States which offer low cost CNA training.

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CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Training Programs impart the training required for a person to become a CNA, also called as a caregiver, nurse aide, or home health aide.  CNA Training Programs will help you prepare for the CNA exam for your state.  You can work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, once you pass the CNA exam with a minimum score of 80%.  The demand for CNA jobs is high in the United States and other countries due to high percentage of aging population.  CNAs are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and in private homes.

CNA Training programs are available in colleges as well as online.  CNA training classes are usually taught by registered nurses, and may take two to six weeks to complete the course requirements, as prescribed by the state authorities.

The major components of CNA training courses are skills lab training, practical clinical instruction, and classroom training. Skills are imparted with the aid of lectures, role-playing, training videos, discussions, and actual demonstration.  Usually, they will make arrangements at a hospital or nursing home for your hands-on or clinical or training.  Once you complete the course requirements, you would have to pass the CNA test administered by your state to receive the CNA certification.  After receiving the CNA certification, you can get a CNA job in hospitals, and nursing homes.

So what do you learn in CNA Training Programs? CNA Training programs prepare you in the following skills which are vital for a job as a certified nursing assistant.

People Skills

In your job as a CNA, you will encounter people both at their best and at their worst.  To be effective, a CNA needs to be caring, understanding, non-judgmental, should be able to empathize with patients from all social statuses.  CNAs are required not only to help the patients, but also to offer support to patient’s family members.

CNA training schools will train you in ‘Psychosocial care skills’.  These people skills will assist you in dealing with your patients’ emotional needs and mental states.  You will learn how to evaluate a patient’s needs, condition and state of mind.  CNA schools will teach you core communication skills, stress management, nonverbal communication needed for dealing with sick and dying patients as well as patients’ family members.

CNA training programs will also train you in listening and language skills which required to be an effective CNA.  These communication skills will help you to communicate with patients and their family members, doctors, and coworkers in the course of your work.

Observational Skills

A good CNA training program will also help you to develop your observational skills to be able to spot anything uncommon.  Many times patients do not know where or what the problem is, so it is the CNA’s job to find it out the wrong by observing patient’s strange actions, injuries, or anything that just may not seem right.

Physical Skills

CNAs have to do a lot of physical activity in their jobs.  As a CNA, you should be strong enough physically to handle tasks such as moving patients.  As a CNA also will have to do a lot of walking in your daily job and you should be able to do walk around all day without much trouble.

Of course there are other physical skills that you will learn in the CNA training programs and these skills constitute the major portion of your CNA training.  CNA schools will train you in making a bed for the patient and ensuring his comfort, assisting your patients in bathing, dressing and grooming.  You will be taught  how to dress wounds, feed the patients including feeding with food tubes, how to insert catheters and remove them.

You will also study nutrition, physiology and anatomy.  You will also learn how to measure vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, respiration, and pulse rate.   CNA schools will teach you elimination, infection control and safety procedures – such as disinfecting the patient’s room and belongings.  You will also learn how to care for patients with special needs such as respiratory diseases, cognitive impairment, and diabetes.  You will also study how to assist patients with rehabilitation.

Thus, CNA training programs equip you with all the required amount of skills, knowledge and confidence that will take you through this CNA test with flying colors.

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On this site, we will provide resources and information about free online CNA training programs,  Red Cross CNA Training program and other related CNA Training programs that will help you to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.  We will also provide information about the demand for CNA jobs, typical  job description of an CNA, average salaries of certified nurse assistants etc.

A CNA ( Certified Nursing Assistant) is a person who helps patients with their healthcare needs and provides bedside care under the guidance of a RN (Registered Nurse).  In the United States, a CNA is also called as PCA (Patient Care Assistant) or NA/R (Nursing Assistant-Registered.  In other countries such as the UK, CNA are also called HCA (Healthcare Assistant), NT (Nursing Tech), PCA (Patient Care Associate), Aux-N (Auxiliary Nurse) or NA (Nursing Assistant).  Whatever may be the title, their role is identical.

The nurse assistant is a prime member of the health-care team, which provide routine care of the patients.  The nurse assistant, therefore,  must have a mastery of the basic skills in the actual procedures being performed.  In the United States, various attempts were made to control, regulate, and verify education and experience of people seeking jobs as nursing assistants; and it led to the North American Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – a credential which is gained by completing statuary level of academic achievement and workplace experience. This certification also helps the employers to recruit nurse assistants with the right credentials.

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