CNATraining in Georgia

CNA training in Georgia is a recognized means of entering the health-care field with a minimum of training and a maximum of employment potential. Recent high-school graduates who know that they want to pursue a career in health care but are not quite sure which path to take find that the speed with which they can be working in the medical field helps them make up their minds. Learn the steps to take to find CNA training in Georgia.

CNA Duties in Georgia

• Georgia CNAs work as helpers to nursing staffs, and also to physicians. They may not dispense medication, provide nursing care or offer medical advice to patients. Instead, they are instrumental in working one-on-one with patients to help with day-to-day living activities such as eating and drinking, toileting, taking medication, bathing and dental cleaning, dressing and undressing, and also exercising. In some cases, light housekeeping is require (if the CNA works for a home health agency), and in many cases, the nursing assistant also provides the only companionship a patient has all day.

Features

• Unlike other states that require lengthy training programs, the state of Georgia requires a CNA training program to be only 85 hours in length. A detailed curriculum, as outlined by the CTAERN Resource Network (a link is posted in the Resources section), entails training in basic nursing skills, personal-care skills and restorative services, as well as the ability to recognize mental-health and social-service needs and deal with patients who are suffering from dementia, and an understanding of the legalities of working in the medical field.

Considerations

• If you are employed by a health-care provider, there is a chance you might be able to get your CNA training for free in Georgia if you are performing basic nursing-assistant work (unless it is at a home-health agency). The State of Georgia requires that such a facility train you free of charge.

Venues

• Perhaps the premier venue for CNA training in Georgia is the American Red Cross. Other locations that provide classes and courses include junior colleges, adult-education venues and career colleges. An exhaustive list of Georgia venues that offer training classes for certified nursing assistants is found at the Nurse Groups site (a link is found in the Resources section).

Prerequisites for Training at (and Graduating From) the Georgia Red Cross

• Prospective students at the Red Cross need to be at least 18 years of age currently free of communicable diseases. Additionally, applicants who are pregnant or have received a felony conviction within 7 years of the date of application are not admitted to the training course. Accepted applicants are tested for TB, have their criminal record checked, and must pay $535 in tuition.