Becoming a CNA is a straight-forward process and not to mention almost identical for all US states. The main difference, however, is usually in the amount of training hours required, which averages to about an all inclusive 120 hours for written and skills competencies. In other words, the training is only a few weeks long, and can be shorter depending on where you attend. Private nurse aide training agencies tend to be shorter, while community colleges tend to be longer.

So your first step as you can see is to enroll in a nurse aide training program. Before deciding upon a program, make sure it is approved by your state, because if you decide to enroll in a program that isn’t approved by your state, then it will be a waste of time and money, and you won’t be able to proceed with obtaining your certification. Continue reading →

A CNA is a certified nurse assistant or certified nursing aide who works alongside registered nurses to assist in taking care of patients. And although the first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks of a CNA is a nursing home, nurse assistants work in a variety of health care facilities – from hospitals, to clinics, to private practices. But the truth is most new CNAs are hired by nursing homes or other facilities that take care of the elderly, and for this reason, this section will focus on your duty as a nurse assistant working with the elderly. Even so, the job description is almost identical regardless of your employment setting.

As a certified nursing aide (CNA), you will work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN), and your duties will vary, especially based on the shift you choose. For example, if you work during the day, your responsibilities will include assisting patients with dressing, bathing, food, medicine (if any), daily exercise (if any), transporting to other departments for other types of medical procedures, therapy sessions, or social activities. You will also monitor and track visitor, and basically ensure the safety of your patients and residents. Continue reading →

The purpose of the CNA examination is to ensure that you are properly trained and knowledgeable to take upon the duties of a certified nursing assistant. There are two main parts to the examination: written and clinical. In other words, the exam is merely a reflection of the knowledge you’ve acquired in the training program, and the way to demonstrate such knowledge is to take the examination and pass it.

If you don’t prepare yourself for the examination, then you will run the risk of failing. It’s extremely important to familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam, and understand exactly what to expect. Continue reading →

The American Red Cross offers CNA training in many parts of the country. This program is recommended because employees love applicants that come from the Red Cross. More importantly, the organization provides extremely adequate training and exam preparation, as their pass rate is much higher than the national average. If there is a Red Cross CNA training in  your area, then consider choosing them to train you. Continue reading →