How to Train To Be A Certified Nurse's Aide

Certified nurse’s aides, or CNAs, serve an essential role in health care. The need is growing because people are living longer and need more help with medical treatment and daily living. Training programs are proliferating because of this rising demand. Courses may be obtained online or at community college. Federal regulations require that students be trained in safety procedures and a variety of interpersonal skills to meet the psychological and physical needs of the patients.

Certification

• CNA programs take approximately six weeks, and you must master a wide range of subjects before you can be certified. You must learn to control infection, provide personal care, communicate with patients and understand emergency techniques. Interacting with patients to engage them socially is also a large part of the training. Basic nursing skills include weighing patients, charting information and taking vital signs.

Admission Requirements

• As a potential student, you must have a completed application, photo identification, Social Security card, CPR certificate, successful completion of a drug screen and a physical exam. In addition, you must have completed high school or the equivalent, and show proof of all required immunizations. Furthermore, it is mandatory that you be fingerprinted, have the physical capability to perform required duties and be free of infectious diseases. A felony conviction may prevent acceptance into the program.

Job Outlook

• The future job outlook for CNAs looks bright. Because of the growing elderly population, jobs are expected to grow by 28 percent by 2016. Working as a CNA can be a stepping stone to additional career opportunities, such as a phlebotomist or health information technician. The demand is so great that many students have positions waiting for them as soon as they are certified. Given the short training period, wages are quite competitive.

Job Description

• As a certified nursing aide, you will be responsible for caring for patients in their homes or in clinics, hospitals, assisted-living and long-term care facilities. Once you are certified, you can segue into other areas, such as working with pregnant patients and children. You can be the eyes of the nurses and assist them by noting what you observe with patients. Helping patients to maintain hygiene and assisting doctors and nurses in patient care are also major responsibilities of the CNA.