Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a rewarding career path that involves providing essential care to patients in various healthcare settings. To become a CNA, you’ll need to complete a state-approved training program and pass a certification exam.
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Educational and Training Requirements
To become a Certified nursing assistant, you’ll need a high school diploma or your GED. Most CNA programs require you to have completed high school or its equivalent. After that, you’ll need to find a state-approved training program. CNA programs typically offer a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training.
During your time at your training program, you’ll learn all of the basics like nursing skills, patient care techniques, and communication strategies. Like most things in life, you’ll learn more once you are inside a facility, but you’ll start off with added confidence knowing you excelled in CNA training.
State Licensure
Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll have to get your certification from your state’s board of nursing. This usually involves a written and practical exam that makes sure you learned everything you need to know from your training program.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Training program requirements can vary from state to state.
- Research accredited CNA programs in your area to make sure you’re in the best program possible.
- Practice and study what you learn in your training program to prepare for the certification exam.
- Ensure you know your state’s continued education requirements to maintain your certification.
How Long Does it Take to Become a CNA?
Classes typically take between 6-24 weeks to complete, but this varies depending on your state and the type of program you choose. It’s safe to assume it will take a month or two to complete your CNA course.
Most programs require around 75 hours of classroom instruction, where you’ll learn about topics like anatomy, physiology, infection control, and basic nursing skills.
Once you’re done with your classroom learning, you will need to complete a certain number of clinical hours. This time is to help you get hands-on experience in a clinical setting, and solidify some of the new skills you learned in class.
Once you’ve completed the training program, you’ll have to schedule your exam. Availability for exams can vary depending on location, and depending on how busy they are, it may delay you for a little bit. After that, it’ll take some time for the state to process your application and issue your certification.
Keep in mind that some areas may have accelerated programs that will allow you to complete your course faster.
Duties of CNAs
Certified Nursing Assistants play an important role in providing patient care. Their duties are focused on assisting patients with daily living activities and supporting the nursing staff.
What Does a CNA Do?
CNAs provide essential patient care. Their daily responsibilities include:
- Personal care: Assisting with bathing, dressing, and feeding.
- Vital signs: Monitoring blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration.
- Patient comfort: Making beds, changing linens, and maintaining a clean environment.
- Communication: Interacting with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Specimen collection: Collecting and handling patient samples.
CNAs are vital members of the healthcare team.
What Care Settings do CNAs Work in?
The specific duties can vary depending on the healthcare setting.
- Hospitals: Provide direct patient care, assist with medical procedures, and maintain patient records.
- Nursing Homes: CNAs focus on long-term care, helping residents with activities of daily living, and providing companionship.
- Assisted Living Facilities: Support residents with varying levels of independence, assisting with personal care and promoting social interaction.
- Home Healthcare: CNAs visit patients’ homes to provide care, helping with tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication reminders.
No matter which healthcare setting they work in, CNAs will work under the supervision of a registered nurse, and they’ll need to be able to communicate effectively with their team and residents. Having strong attention to detail is a must no matter what setting you work in.
Difference Between an RN and a CNA
Registered Nurses (RNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants are both extremely important to the success of a healthcare team, but their roles and responsibilities differ significantly.
Education and training
As we already mentioned, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED, and the completion of a state-approved CNA training program. RNs on the other hand require an associate in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
Scope of Practice
A CNA Provides basic patient care under the supervision of an RN or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Perform tasks such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and taking vital signs. An RN has a broader scope of practice, including administering medications, developing patient care plans, and managing patient care. RNs can diagnose and treat illnesses, and they have more autonomy in decision-making.
Roles and Responsibilities
CNAs focus on providing direct patient care and assisting patients with activities of daily living. They’ll help patients bathe, eat, and assist them with any other activities they need help with to stay comfortable.
Registered nurses oversee patient care. They coordinate with other healthcare providers and administer medical treatments.
Tips to Find CNA Jobs
Landing your first CNA job can be exciting and challenging. Here are some effective ways to help you find the best position:
Job Search Strategies
Online Job boards like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor aggregate job postings near you so you can see multiple facilities job postings in one place. If there is a specific healthcare organization you want to work for, checking out their website can give you more insight into what type of applicant they are looking for than a job board would.
Using per diem nurse staffing agencies is a great way to get to know some of the facilities in your area and network with other nurses. Most staffing agencies require a certain amount of experience, but once you meet the minimum requirements, it can help you gain experience in new care settings.
Resume and Cover Letter
As a new CNA, you won’t have a lot of experience to put on your resume, so how do you stand out from the crowd? Emphasize your training, clinical experience, and patient care abilities on your resume. Remember every nursing assistant was new at one point, by showing that you retained the information you learned in class and through clinical, you’ll show that you can do the job.
Tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for is another great way to stand out from other applicants. Read through the job description and highlight the relevant skills before you apply.
When you’ve landed your first interview, make sure you dress professionally and do research on the specific facility you’re interviewing with. This will show the interviewer that you take this position seriously, and want the job.
Extra Tips to Landing a CNA Job
Landing your first job could take time, here are some extra tips in case it isn’t going as planned.
- Volunteer Experience: Consider volunteering in a healthcare setting to gain valuable experience and build your resume.
- Certification: Obtaining additional certifications, such as CPR or phlebotomy, can make you a more competitive candidate.
- Be Patient: Finding the right CNA job may take time. Stay persistent and continue your job search efforts.
Becoming a CNA is a rewarding career choice that offers opportunities for growth and advancement. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can gain the knowledge and skills needed to provide compassionate care to patients. Remember to choose a reputable program, dedicate yourself to your studies, and network with healthcare professionals to increase your chances of finding a fulfilling career.
