Nursing Assistant Training

Answer 1

Nursing assistant training equips students with the ability to enter the medical profession, directly caring for mentally handicapped, disabled, ill and elderly patients. Most students who finish the program work in either assisted living facilities or skilled nursing facilities. Hospitals, home care and offices also employ nursing assistants. Training includes the knowledge of obtaining vital sign numbers, assisting with dressing, bathing, eating and walking. Nursing assistant training also includes clinical rotations. Rotations are performed in hospitals or nursing homes, directly providing care for residents by practicing techniques. Students learn the important signs of illness and how to report them to a charge nurse. Training in the classroom includes practicing techniques on a mannequin. A registered nurse who is approved by the state to give training will conduct the class.

In order to qualify for training, students should have a clear criminal history. Offenses relating to abuse and theft are grounds for disqualification of licensing. Some states will also require a drug test. California mandates a live scan, which is an extensive background check by fingerprinting. These are usually more expensive than a traditional background check and must come from the student's pocket. After finishing a nursing assistant training program, graduates must apply to their state for a license. Instructors usually assist the students in this matter; in most states, the instructor sends the necessary paperwork to the appropriate state licensing office.

Depending on the state a student lives in, their residency status and the training facility chosen, prices of classes vary. Programs held in colleges may charge on a per-credit-hour basis or implement a flat fee for the class. Nursing assistant training programs generally require an total of 80 educational hours. Some training providers divide the sessions into short classes five days per week; others may hold longer sessions only two days during the week. Many community colleges offer evening classes also, provided for students who work during the day. Hospitals and large nursing facilities may provide the training on their own premises if a nurse certified to teach is available. In these cases, the training is usually paid for by the facility, but the nursing assistant must agree to work in the facility for at least one year or six months. Nursing facilities often pay for outside training when they need help. Nursing assistants who graduate are required to work for a certain number of months in that facility.

Answer 2

You can start a career in the healthcare industry by taking nursing assistant training. A job as a certified nursing assistant provides you with an excellent starting point for a healthcare career. As you gain experience working as a nursing assistant, you might very well decide to expand your skills. Many nursing assistants go on to become nurses or to enter related careers. Before you can work as a state certified nursing assistant, you will need to complete training.

Training Information

All states have their own requirements for individuals to become certified as nursing assistants. The state will require you to attend a nursing assistant training program. This program will provide you with the background information you need to begin working as a nursing assistant. You will learn how to provide care for your patients. Patient privacy rights, communication skills and other related topics will also be covered. During your course, you will receive lecture instruction. You will have lab work that you complete as well. Before completion of the training course, you will need to complete a clinical segment. You will practice nursing assistant skills under the supervision of your instructor. This will be your opportunity to gain the hands on experience needed to perform your duties well.

The length of nursing assistant courses will vary from one location to another. Most classes only last for a few weeks. Some courses are for an entire semester especially if you are working for credit hours and receiving more in-depth training. There are some courses that simply meet the state minimum for hours. Other course will well exceed those hours to provide you with more comprehensive training.

The Exam

In order to receive your certification as a nursing assistant, you will need to sit for the competency exam in your state. This exam will include a written portion to test your nursing assistant theory and basics knowledge. The second part of the test will require you to carry out some nursing assistant duties. The test administrator will evaluate your skills. You will not be granted certification unless you pass both parts of the exam. Once you pass your test, you can take the steps to be listed on the Nursing Assistant Registry in your state.

Answer 3

Nursing assistant training can lead to many opportunities for an individual desiring to work in the healthcare field. Anyone can apply to be a nursing assistant. However, with the appropriate training, a nursing assistant can receive certification which leads to better quality jobs at a higher rate of pay. Certification isn't required by all states. In fact, a high school student can apply for such a job. Nevertheless, the more reputable employers will require the proper certifying documents proving that a potential employee has gone through the proper training for the best care of their patients.

Training for a nursing assistant can be obtained at vocational schools, local colleges, and even a nursing facility. The agenda of most courses for this field of study will include personal care, nutrition, anatomy, infection prevention, and more. A student will also learn how to take vital signs as well. There will be classroom studies, or online classes, and clinical type of hands-on training, as well. Most health care careers are in high demand these days. This also holds true for nursing assistants. Certified Nursing Assistants, or CNAs, lead a worthwhile career in caring for the sick and/or elderly in various settings. The job opportunities for nursing assistants are endless. The following include the various places a nursing assistant may find employment:

• Hospice agencies.
• Home health care.
• Assisted living facilities.
• Hospitals.
• Long term care facilities.
• Adult day care centers.
• Other medical or community organizations.

Nursing assistants spend much time with patients caring for their personal and clinical needs. Although this career is sometimes challenging and demanding, it is also rewarding to those who have the compassion to understand a patient's emotional and physical needs. Training for this career will educate the student about the total care of a patient. A nursing assistant may be a caregiver for a dying hospice patient or a lonely, elderly man or woman. Whatever the case may be, he or she should possess the qualities of patience, sensitivity, self-confidence, and dependability. Patience are at their most vulnerable moments when in need of a nursing assistant, which makes this a gratifying career for those who desire to care for others.