Certified Nursing Assistant Training Course

Answer 1

To become a certified nursing assistant, you must complete an accredited training course. Such courses are found in a variety of settings, such as nursing homes, technical schools, colleges and hospitals. Typical programs last several weeks to a few months, depending on if the program is full-time or part-time, and, upon successful completion, allow you to sit for your state's nursing assistant certification exam.

About Nursing Assistants

Nursing assistants, also known as patient care assistants, nurse aides and orderlies, assist licensed practical nurses and registered nurses in providing patient care and assisting with tasks of daily living. Such care consists of patient hygiene, feeding patients, ambulating patients and taking patients' vitals. Since nursing assistants spend a lot of time with their patients, they are responsible for reporting any changes in patients' conditions to supervising nurses. Nursing assistants are found working in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, hospitals, hospice care, home care and rehabilitation settings. Training and working as a nursing assistant is an excellent start to a career in nursing or medicine.

What to Expect During Your Certified Nursing Assistant Training Course

Certified nursing assistant training courses consist of lectures, labs and hands-on training in subjects such as communicating with patients, transferring patients in and out of bed, measuring vital signs, infection control, patient safety, patient rights, Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR and end of life care. Courses are offered during the day or evening, depending on the program, and may require occasional weekend classes for labs and hands-on practice. Typically, programs require that students complete hands-on training, called internships, in hospitals or nursing homes in order to apply learned skills on real patients.

Certified Nursing Assistant Training Course Requirements

To become a certified nursing assistant, you must typically be at least 18 years or older with a high school diploma or GED. You must also be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test. Certain courses require that you have specific immunizations prior to beginning the course. Students should have good interpersonal skills, patience and be mature, as well as be comfortable working around patients of all ages.