Best Certified Nursing Assistant Classes

Want to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)? Well, you have two options for that- either take admission in your nearby vocational/technical school or go for online CNA classes. The latter option is excellent if you are in a job and have no time to attend the regular classes. Though online CNA classes provide you more flexibility and convenience, taking traditional classes has its own advantages as it offers you more hands-on practice. Keep reading to get acquainted with the various aspects of the nurse aide program classes.

Pre-requisites for Enrollment in the CNA Classes

All the aspirants are expected to fulfill the following requirements, in order to register themselves for the certified nursing assistant classes:

• Must be 18 years old.
• Completed high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Submit evidence of up-to-date immunizations.
• Provide proof that verifies that you are not suffering from tuberculosis.
• Aspirants may be required to obtain CPR certification during or prior the program classes.
• Students may have to qualify pre-screening test conducted by some institutes.
• Submit background check reports.
• Students may be asked to submit college assessments in reading and math.

Apart from the above educational requirements, the students must possess the following qualities as well:

From Where to Pursue CNA program?

Nursing assistant program is provided by almost all health care facilities. They offer you courses only when you agree to work with them for a specific time period, after completion of the coursework. CNA classes are also conducted by home health agencies, long-term care facilities, hospitals, and American Red Cross (in approximately 36 cities of the U.S.).

Nursing assistant courses are offered by a number of community colleges as well. The duration of these classes may range from several weeks to months. Such courses are generally non-credit courses.

Another way for completing CNA coursework is online CNA programs. You can complete the theoretical part of your program via online, but for practical program, you will have to enroll in your nearby hospital or nursing home.

Other facilities that offer nurse aide program include retirement centers, residential facilities, vocational schools, technical schools, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and assisted living centers.

Things to be Considered While Selecting a CNA Program

The decision of choosing a nurse aide program must be taken with acute care. While considering any nursing assistant program, you must keep in mind the following criteria:

• The program must meet the standards specified by that particular state from where you want to get trained and work as a nursing assistant. In case, the program is not accredited by the state, you will not be allowed to give the competency exam after completing your program and will not be able to work as a nurse aide.
• Considering the proficiency and experience of the staff is an important criterion which must be taken into account. The courses are generally taught by nurses, but there are certain states that require the courses to be taught by a registered nurse. Therefore, get enrolled for the programs that are conducted by the experienced faculties having work experience of several years as nurses and have spent several years as a CNA tutor.
• Inquire and compare the statistical data of students in various schools, who enrolled and completed their program course. Go for the schools that have the maximum enrollment percentage. Read here CNA to RN programs
• Compare the number of hours of clinical instructions offered by different nursing assistant programs. Seek for the program that provides you the maximum clinical exposure.
• Search schools that have positive feedback and reviews.
• Lastly, choose schools that have given the highest job placement services in past so that you start working as a nursing assistant as soon as you finish your certification.
• You can always get higher nursing education to become an LPN having gained experience as a CNA. Since the profession of the LPN takes you to the next level, you can expect to get the salary that an LPN earns.

Duration of the CNA Classes

The majority of students, who enroll themselves in Red Cross chapters, community colleges or technical schools, complete their coursework just in 6 to 12 weeks, or in one-two semesters. However, the CNA program duration is somewhat longer in technical schools and community colleges as they require completion of a general education curriculum. After completion of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the Nurse Aide Assessment Program in your own state.

Fees of the CNA Program

CNA programs are comparatively of short duration; therefore, you are required to pay quite reasonable fees. However, the fees vary from school to school. The overall average tuition fees sum up to $71.50 per credit hour for in-state students, while it is around $263.50 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Some schools charge a flat rate for the coursework.

Nevertheless, you can estimate your total fee by multiplying the number of credit hours you need to complete by cost per credit hour. Generally, in most of the program programs, the general education courses are of 10 to 15 credit hours, whereas, about 17 credit hours are scheduled for the career-related instructions.

Other Fees

Apart from the education fees, there are various other fees you are required to shell out. These include:

• Technology Fee: $15 to $20
• Student Support Fee: $10 to $15
• Books: $500 to $1,500 (this may vary depending on whether you purchase new books or used ones)
• Campus Access Fee: $15 to $20
• Vaccinations: this differs according to your need
• Supplies: minimum fees since almost all the work will be done in class or on computers.
• Criminal Background Check: Free to $20 (depending on the school you chosen)
• TB Test: Free to $20 (depends on the Health Departments)

What You Learn in CNA Classes?

Nursing assistant program classes comprise of theoretical and practical sessions. The coursework included in the theoretical classes is as follows:

• Patient rights
• Anatomy
• Medical ethics
• Medical terminology
• Infection control techniques
• Range of motion exercises
• Medical vocabulary
• Automated external defibrillator (AED) practices
• Physiology
• Patient vital signs
• Infection guidelines
• Patient care ethics and legalities
• Patient hygiene
• Knowledge of diseases
• Nutrition basics
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Patient hygiene
• Basic care
• Pre- and post- operative care procedures
• Patient communication
• Administrative duties

During the practical program, students are made aware of the below-given skills:

• Washing hands
• Preventing bed sores
• Recording and measuring the temperature, blood pressure, urinary output, and pulse rate.
• Placing the patient on his/her respective side.
• Using a transfer belt for moving the patients from the bed to a wheelchair.
• Recording and measuring the weight and height of the ambulatory patient.
• Dressing the wounds.
• Donning and removing the individual protective equipment.
• Making the patient prepare for his/her surgery.
• Collecting the blood samples and urine for the diagnostic test.
• Assisting the patients in bathing, feeding, moving, grooming and exercising.

Online CNA Classes

If you are working as a non-certified nurse and wish to become a CNA, but do not have sufficient time to attend the full-time classes, then you may choose online courses. There are a number of popular colleges that offer various distant learning programs, making it a lot easier for those who want to continue their education while earning.
Basic Requirements for Enrolling for Online Courses

The following requirements are a must to be fulfilled by the students to register for the online CNA programs:

• 18 years of age or above.
• Completion of GED or high school diploma or equivalent.
• The candidate must be free from all types of criminal charges.
• Must possess a PC having an active internet connection. The students must have knowledge of word processing programs and must be able to submit and access all the assignments and study materials in time.
• The aspirants must complete the mandatory hours of learning sessions.
• Students must undertake hands-on practice from any healthcare facility.

Advantages of Choosing Online CNA Classes

Some of the advantages of choosing an online course are:

• The online programs can be advantageous especially for those who are busy working in any health care facility, and have no time to commute to the college campus for further education.
• Pursuing an online course is the best and cost-effective way to get trained and gather knowledge about the medical profession.
• Since you need not purchase books, uniform and commute to the college campus, it saves your time and money.
• You get a chance to complete your coursework at home.
• In addition, if you are able to complete all the requirements of the program in the requisite time period, you can achieve excellent results and grades.
• You can plan your own learning schedule.

Disadvantages of Online CNA Classes

• Choosing quality online CNA course can be time-consuming. You have to make sure that the selected online program is affiliated with the concerned state.
• Online programs offer only theoretical knowledge. For practical program, you will have to go in-person at a local nursing home or clinic.

Comparison of Online and Campus CNA Classes