What Is Covered in CNA Classes?

CNAs, or certified nurse assistants, help patients with daily living tasks, often in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, adult daycare centers, hospices, long-term care facilities and private homes. CNA courses are often offered at community colleges or specialized schools.

Concepts and Skills

• CNA courses focus on teaching theoretical concepts in the classroom and practical skills in laboratories and clinicals.

Basic Care

• CNA courses teach emerging CNAs to provide basic care to their patients, including tasks such as feeding, toileting and moving safely from place to place.

Primary Health Issues

• CNA training programs teach students the primary health issues affecting adults in long-term care situations and how to prevent and control infections.

Documentation

• Specific procedures are required to ensure proper documentation and reporting in health care facilities. CNA training programs teach students how to do this.

Emergency Response

• CNAs learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, and basic life support techniques.