2014-08-15

In addition to the traditional registered nursing programs, the health care industry is employing more people trained in the certified nursing assistant program. The program trains nursing students to become a certified nursing assistant. If you want to become a nurse, you should look deeper into this program because it is one of the fastest ways of becoming a nurse.

What Is A Certified Nursing Assistant?

The certified nursing assistant (CNA), also referred to as the nursing assistant, certified, works under the direction of the RN or the licensed practical (vocational) nurse (LPN). Each state determines the skills that may be performed by the nursing assistant. Typically, these include basic nursing skills, such as changing bed linens; measuring temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure; bathing patients and helping with personal care; helping patients with eating, walking, and exercise programs; and supporting patients when they are allowed to get out of bed.



In addition to the traditional registered nursing programs, the health care industry is employing more people trained in the certified nursing assistant program

CNAs vary from different states and a bulk of them is trained in doing simple medical procedures as directed by the nurse of physician. These procedures range from:

• Administering medications

• Catheterization

• Administering suppositories

• Providing enemas

• Doing Irrigations

• Administering douches

• Providing massages

• Applying dressings

What Are The Criteria For Training In The Nursing Assistant Program?

You will find no national rules regulating the academic preparation and scope of practice of nursing assistants in areas apart from long-term care, even though some states have legislation that manages their practice in other areas. Typically, training is provided with the sponsorship from the employing facility and without formal certification. Student qualifications can vary from a high school diploma to more advanced levels.

Preparation For The Certified Nursing Assistant

The preparation of the CNA emphasizes on the importance of a safe environment and includes instructions in patient’s rights and the use of restraints. A number of states also require a designated number of hours per year of continuing education. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) passed by the federal government mandated a minimum of 75-hours of training.

Some think about this preparation as the first rung on the ladder of nursing education, and, in certain states, the CNA can be exempted from certain classes that are required in LPN programs. Some registered nursing programs establish certification for a nursing assistant as part of the admission requirements.



The certified nursing assistant (CNA), also referred to as the nursing assistant, certified, works under the direction of the RN or the licensed practical (vocational) nurse (LPN).

The Importance Of Competency

Each state is required to develop a mechanism for measuring competency. Most states require that those nursing assistants who have completed an approved course of study also pass a written and practical examination. The names of those who successfully pass the written and practical examination are placed on the state nurse aide registry. To remain on the registry, each nursing assistant must document completion of a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education each year.

The requirements for hospital accreditation devised by the Joint Commission (formerly Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) now require hospitals to assure the competence of employees, including nursing assistants. It has brought many hospitals to the task of employing only those individuals who are nursing assistants in long-term care facilities and also to the introduction of courses to train people in becoming nursing assistants for acute care settings. States vary within their needs for hospital nursing assistants. Many states expect a healthcare facility to determine their criteria and provide their own training.

Training In The Certified Nursing Assistant Program

The home health aide is ready to help people with basic health care within their homes; thus a course of instruction includes content on grocery shopping, cooking, and doing laundry. Some long-term care CNA programs present an additional duration of training and education for roles such as home health aides to individuals who’ve completed their CNA program. Other states offer shorter programs with no certification examination for home health aides. In certain states, there’s no standardized certification requirement for individuals who do home healthcare.

Where Does Training For The Nursing Assistant Program Take Place?

Training for the various types of nursing assistant occurs in many settings, including:

• Long-term care facilities

• High schools

• Community colleges

• Hospitals

• Privately operated programs, and

• Regional occupational programs

Why Become a Nursing Assistant?

For years, individuals called nursing assistants and aides have provided care to patients in hospitals and long-term facilities. If you want a fast and effective way towards becoming a registered nurse, then becoming a nurse assistant would be a plausible option. If you want to become a certified nurse assistant, gaining more knowledge that would prepare you for the certified nurse assistant education will help you a lot Find out more about how to become a nursing assistant and take a step closer in your dream to become a nurse.

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