Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are healthcare workers who work under the supervision of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. While a certified nursing assistant’s scope of practice is not as broad as that of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse, nursing assistants do provide a wide range of basic patient care services. If you want to work as a certified nursing assistant, you’ll need to complete some training and meet the requirements set forth local governments.
While different countries have different names for certified nursing assistants, all require some form of formal training before becoming certified. Frequently, the candidate must have completed a basic level of formal education. College experience, on the other hand, is rarely required. Most jurisdictions require an approved course of study related to the duties and responsibilities of a nursing assistant in addition to the rudimentary education requirements.
Individual states set the standards for approved training courses in the United States. Most programs require at least 75 hours of classroom instruction, as well as 16 to 20 hours of clinical training under the supervision of an LPN or RN. Once the training program’s requirements have been met, the nursing assistant candidate can begin the certification process.
Before beginning work as a certified nursing assistant, the candidate must complete the certification process required the jurisdiction. This may consist solely of a written exam, or it may also include additional supervised training in a healthcare facility. In some countries, the certification process is determined the environment in which the nursing assistant intends to work. For example, the assistant may follow one certification track to become certified for a job in a nursing home, while the assistant who wants to work in a hospital will take a different path.
Many jurisdictions require certified nursing assistants to complete a minimum number of hours of training each year after certification. This additional training ensures that the certified nursing assistant stays up to date on procedures and techniques that will allow them to provide the most efficient care to patients. It is sometimes necessary to provide proof of this continuing education in order to renew certification.
Contact your local nurses association to learn about the specific combination of courses and requirements in place in your area. The association will be able to connect you with organizations that oversee formal training and assist you in enrolling in the next set of classes. In many cases, these organizations can also help you set up the on-site clinical training you’ll need to finish the program and apply for certification.