In order to become a certified nursing assistant, you will need to complete a CNA certification course. The course will be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months long depending on where you take the course. Most courses are designed to be completed in as few as three weeks.
A CNA training course will meet all requirements set forth by the state to prepare students for the certification exam. Courses will include lecture instruction that will teach you about patient procedures, protecting a patient’s privacy and other related topics.
The course will also include demonstrations to help prepare you for the duties of a nursing assistant. You will do role playing with other students to aid you in learning the appropriate and safest ways to complete tasks. At times, you will play the part of the patient which will help you to understand the view of the people for whom you provide services.
Some instructional videos might also be used to help with your training. They will show nursing assistants and other medical care providers providing services in a healthcare setting. You will learn during your coursework how to work with other nursing assistants and medical staff as well as how to provide the best services for your clients.
In some settings, you will get an opportunity to practice your skills on patients. If you train at a healthcare facility, you will often get a chance to work on the floor with patients (under supervision, of course) before your training is over.
A certified nursing assistant training program will prepare you to take the certification exam. You should be well prepared for this test if you study hard, pay attention during class and ask questions when needed. Students who complete a training program through the American Red Cross seem to do exceptionally well on the certification exam.
CNA Certification Exam
You will not be able to work as a certified nursing assistant until you take and pass both portions of the certifying exam. This test includes two parts: a written portion and a clinical portion. The written portion will include multiple choice questions pertaining to information you learned during the course. This part of the test will include questions about medical procedures, patient safety and protecting patient privacy.
After you complete the written part of the test, you will be ready for the demonstration portion. This will be the time when you are asked to show the test administrator that you are able to complete tasks that will be asked of you when working as a nursing assistant. In most testing situations, you will need to demonstrate 3 to 5 skills in their entirety. You must remember every step of a particular task including knocking on a patient’s door, announcing yourself, washing your hands and explain to the patient what you are doing to do.
You must strive to be relatively flawless when demonstrating tasks. Of course, you might be a bit nervous and make a few minor mistakes that would not impact the care of a patient. Take your time and try to relax when you are taking the test. If you do not pass one or both parts of the certification exam, you will be instructed as to how and when you can try the test again.
CNA Certification Renewal
When you become a certified nursing assistant, it is important to know that you will need to renew your certification every so often. Most states require the renewal once every two years. You will need to pay a small fee and complete paperwork to renew your certification. In order to keep your certification active between renewal periods, you will often need to complete some continuing education questions and to work a minimum number of hours annually.
Do not forget to keep an eye on the expiration date of your certification so that you can complete your renewal on time. Many states make it rather simple to renew your certification when the time comes. You can often complete the process by using the Internet.
CNA Recertification
There are often changes and updates in the healthcare industry. The certified nursing assistant field is no exception. There will be times when you need to take and pass new courses for CNA recertification. It is usually not necessary to complete a full nursing assistant training course. There will be times when there are courses that you can even complete online for your recertification.
It is important to stay apprised of CNA regulations in your state. Your employer should also be a resource when you need to know what courses or other requirements you need to keep in order to keep working as a certified nursing assistant.
Of course, if your certification expires and you do not renew during the grace period, you will need to become recertified. Doing so will involve taking courses and completing a test. The exact requirements will vary depending on the state where you live. It is sometimes possible to become recertified without going through a certification course all over again.
Certified Nursing Assistant As A Career
A career as a certified nursing assistant can certainly be a rewarding one. There are steps that you will need to take if you do want to become a CNA. You will want to find a high quality training program. The course will need to be completed in your entirety. Additionally, you will need to pass the certification exam. You will need to keep up with any requirements to maintain and renew your certification exam. If you have any questions, you can contact your local nursing aide board.
if i was to take both parts of the test in one day about how long will it take?
What is fee for these course?
Hi Jacqueline,
It all depends on the training center you want to study in. Some charge above $1k while others are a little lower.
what if you have a criminal history in the state of Florida, will I be able to be certified?
Paul, You’ll need to talk to the Florida Nursing board for that. All states have differing rules for criminal history.
Hello, I already had the training at Tacoma Community College but I don’t know where I need to go take my test to get certified. Can anyone help me with this?
Hi Jackie, you should get in touch with the college since the state nursing board will only allow you to sit for the certification exam if you’ve recieved training from an accredited training facility.
hi my CNA license recently expired in february of 2010 i was certified in California and i now live in arizona. how do i recertify my license
Hi Gwen, You’ll have to check with your state board of nursing. Usually, if you’ve worked for a minimum amount of hours over the last couple of years you should have little trouble in getting your CNA license renewed without taking the test again.
what places in tupelo besides Ms Methodist Senior care offers CNA classes? I know ICC does but it takes 8 weeks and doesnt start til Oct.
Brittany, Check our our page on Mississipi CNA Programs to get other training options in your area