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, moving patients in the correct manner, making and maintaining patient records, following exercise routine instructions as given by the Physical or Occupational Therapists, administering wound dressing for patients, inserting food tubes or feeding patients, inserting and removing catheters as advised, helping with disinfecting the room and belongings of the patient, explaining the routine to patient’s family, if asked and updating the doctor or registered nurse on the patient’s progress on a daily basis.

Working as a CNA will make you gain expertise in administering care and give you the confidence to assist and give care at any health care facility or hospital.  The CNA training also includes stress management, ability to judge patients’ emotional and mental needs, dealing with death and terminally ill patients and their families, and communication of both verbal and nonverbal nature.  It also includes techniques and skills to make a patient comfortable, make his bed, and assist with his bathing and dressing.

The curriculum for the academic or theory aspect involves physiology and anatomy, whereas practical tests involve the testing of your ability to handle any given situation.  Each patient is admitted with a different medical condition.  How you react to a given situation and the confidence you display in being able to deal with the patient’s needs form a part of the practical tests.  Even your keeping the surroundings neat and disinfected are subject to assessment under practical tests.

There is a growing demand for Certified Nursing Assistants today, mainly due to the rising numbers of the aging population.  There are plenty of job opportunities in this field at clinics, health care centers, hospitals and private homes, which is gratifying both from a humanitarian perspective as well as for gaining financial rewards.

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