All About CNA Training
Certified nursing assistants (CNA) provide hands-on care to their patients. CNA professionals may work in hospitals, nursing homes and retirement centers. They also work in home care. In the past, nursing assistants typically obtained training in a nursing home environment. However, new regulations on patient care require assistants to learn their skills through a state recognized program.
Programs
Most CNA programs generally take up to seven weeks or more to complete. Students learn many things about patient care and the laws that govern it. A typical program includes:
- Taking and recording patient vital signs
- Transferring and ambulating patients
- Nutrition and hydration
- Documentation
- Infection control measures and precautions
Clinical Training
Nursing assistants must take 40 hours or more of clinical training. The training can be in any medical or health setting that deals directly with patients. Most assistants obtain clinical training from long-term care facilities. Some train in hospitals. The training prepares students for work and the nursing assistant certification exam.
Exam
The certification exam consists of student demonstrations. They must demonstrate how to:
- Transfer non-ambulatory patients from one place to another
- Wash their hands to prevent the spread of infectious diseases
- Answer call lights
Licenses
Currently, certified nursing assistants must obtain 175 hours or more of course hours to receive their licenses. After completing the hours and passing the CNA exam, licenses are generally mailed to nursing assistants' homes.
Certified nursing assistants need to re-certify their licenses every two years. They may do this online or by mail. They also need to pay a renewal fee set by the state. State health departments send out reminders to every CNA who needs to renew.