What Type of Certification Do I Need to Be a Nursing Assistant?

A person seeking a career as a nursing assistant must first earn a certification known as a CNA (certified nursing assistant). The duties of a CNA include caring for patients while supporting the duties of registered nurses. CNA program requirements vary by state, and CNA educational programs are typically tailored to each state's requirements.

Structured Classes

• A certified nursing assistant program consists of structured courses, as well as training in the classroom. This includes laboratory training and clinical instruction within a health care facility. The skills needed require classroom lectures, participation in classroom discussions, role-playing situations and actual demonstrations. Most CNA courses are instructed by registered nurses. The length of time a course lasts depends on whether it is full time or part time and generally goes anywhere from about two weeks to two months. Once the course work is finished, the students must pass a test in the state they intend to work in to earn certification.

Physical Duties Training

• To achieve a CNA, a student must learn some basic skills that will be involved in the job description. This includes assisting patients with dressing and undressing, assisting patients with bathing, assisting patients with toileting, which sometimes involves changing adult diapers, and assisting patients with basic grooming. Other learned skills include making patients' beds and assisting with rehabilitation and feeding of patients.

People-Skills Learning

• A certified nursing assistant program offers instruction on how to deal with people on an emotional level. Students are taught how to communicate effectively with patients who have a variety of temperaments and issues, as well as those who may have conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's, mental illnesses and aggressive and abusive behaviors. Additionally, students are taught how to deal with people who have terminal illnesses, depressed patients and family members.

Certification Exam

• After classes are completed, the student must take a certification exam. This exam is administered through the state of the student's residency. It generally has anywhere from 50 to 75 multiple-choice questions. There are several additional questions that require a written answer. Students are allowed up to two hours to complete the exam. The company that has administered the exam will grade it and send the results to the student. If the student has passed the exam, her name will be placed onto the nurse's aide registry in the state where she took the exam. Her license is sent by mail.