CNA training | CNA Education Requirements |
When trying to find CNA training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, first and foremost, ask yourself if this is the job for you. It is a very testing and difficult task, yet rewarding. Next, you will need to check with your local health care professionals to find out what the criteria is since this varies upon location. Most cities offer CNA training taught at your local community college. In other places, you can
become a get CNA training by working for a health care facility such as a nursing home or even the Red Cross. Do be careful to understand that if the class is free, it may mean that you must work for that facility for a period of time after completing the classes.
Most CNA training taught in health care facilities have a two to six weeks time span. If a community college is your choice for CNA training, be prepared to spend up to six months in this CNA training course.
After the CNA training, you will take the State administered test. The test is comprised of two parts, clinical and written.
At random you are asked to demonstrate three to five skills during the clinical part, they include:
*Hand washing-before beginning, let down some paper towel, use plenty of soap, wash hands up to wrists and under fingernails for at least 20 seconds. Tare off the paper towel and dry hands, then use the paper towel to turn off the water.
*Privacy- before beginning knock on the door first to ask the patient if it is alright to enter, before performing tasks be sure to pull the privacy curtain.
*Dignity- again be sure to knock and introduce yourself to the patient. Then, “think out loud” in other words, tell the patient what you are about to do before you do it.
*Safety- performing such tasks as attaching a gait belt when transferring, raise bed before care, locking wheels on the wheelchair and any other steps that could cause harm to you or the patient.
*Giving bedpan- pull privacy curtain, put pan facing the correct way
*Repositioning- explain steps to the patient, use pillows and pads for comfort, place call light nearby
*Grooming- if having to do hair ask the patient how they would like their hair.
*Taking temperature- make sure you have the right thermometer, (red is rectal) and insert.
*Occupied bed complete bed change- make sure the patient stays covered at all times. Be sure the side rail is up on the side the patient is being turned.
CNA Education is a difficult yet very rewarding path to take for any healthcare professional.
The training for a CNA is relatively fast and painless, and the job market for up and coming CNA professionals is on the rise. Just remember often times people will become CNA’s and find they they want even more responsibility (and more money). They often find themselves working as a CNA for a year or two and then moving on and becoming registered nurses.
