What Do You Do in a CNA Training Class?

CNA stands for certified nursing assistant. A CNA works in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation facility or home setting to help patients complete activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and eating. CNAs require special training classes and work under the close supervision of nurses.

Significance

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1.4 million CNA jobs in the United States in 2006. The demand for CNAs is likely to increase 28 percent over the next 10 years.

Types

• There are several different types of CNA training classes. Some nursing facilities offer brief, intensive classes that allow CNAs to train on the job. Community colleges and technical schools also offer CNA classes, as does the Red Cross.

Time Frame

• CNA classes can last anywhere from two weeks (intensive on the job training) to several months (community colleges). Training consists of at least 75 hours of classroom work and 16 hours of clinical work with patients.

Features

• Topics covered in CNA classes include ethics, interpersonal skills, patient's rights, handling issues of abuse and neglect, managing the risk of infection, dealing with patients who have dementia and providing needed care while allowing the patient to maintain as much independence as possible.

Potential

• Many people who start with CNA training discover they love the healthcare field and end up returning to school to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), therapists or even administrators.