Nursing Assistant Jobs Salary, Duties, Training
CNA Education, Training, Licensing, and Salary
Mar 2, 2010 Sandra Blake
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant students are required to complete training and pass the required examinations to be able to be registered with the State Licensing Board. A CNA can also be known as a State Tested Nurse Aid (STNA), depending on federal or state mandating.
Requirements for Certified Nursing Assistant
Basic requirements to become a CNA include having a high school diploma or GED. In addition to this, students will need to complete CNA certification program at a local community college, a state recognized agency or an online course. After completion of the CNA training program, students will have to take the state certification exam.
Once the state certification exam is taken and passed, the student will be registered with the state board as a certified nursing assistant.
Certified Nursing Assistant Education & Training
Education requirements for CNAs will vary from state to state. However, most programs generally follow the same format and guidelines. Students need to contact their individual state registration board for a list of accredited agencies that offer the STNA or CNA course. Training can be done online from a state recognized agency.
Students will have both course lecture requirements and clinical requirements. Lectures will be conducted in a classroom or online setting. Most programs require CNAs to have at least 75 hours of study with at least 16 hours of training in a supervised clinical environment. Many courses may require longer study hours, such as 100 hours of classroom lecture and at least 50 clinical hours of training at various medical facilities.
Course work will include communication and interpersonal skills, safety and emergency procedures, patient rights, infection control, basic nursing skills, personal care skills, mental health needs, social service needs, caring for cognitively impaired patients, HIPAA, first aid, CPR, HIV/AIDS, dementia, laboratory, nutrition, anatomy, and physiology.
CNA Exam
The STNA or CNA exam consists of two parts. The written portion of the exam will test students knowledge of the certified nursing assistant training. The second portion of the exam will test clinical skills.
ln addition to taking and passing the exam, CNAs are required to submit to a criminal background check and a drug test.
Certified Nursing Assistant Duties
Certified Nursing Assistants have a variety of job duties. Duties will largely depend on the area and facility of practice.
CNAs work closely with nurses and patients. CNAs are typically responsible for basic care duties such as grooming and feeding patients, bathing patients, assisting nurses with vital signs and various medical equipment. CNAs are also vital in providing comfort and emotional support to patients and families.
Certified Nursing Assistant Salary
Salary and pay scales for CNAs will vary depending on the place of employment. CNAs work in assisted living facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, clinics, and mental health facilities.
Entry-level certified nursing assistant salaries range from $19,925 to $29,764. CNAs with years of experience can reach a salary of up to $35,377, depending on the place of employment.
Job outlooks for certified nursing assistants is expected to increase by 28 percent, by the year 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
People looking to become a CNA need to be flexible and have a willingness to learn. Training and certification are necessary. However, learning to deal with stressful situations that will arise is another necessary portion to the job. The job market is strong and will continue to see growth for several years. CNAs are a valuable part of the health care system.
References:
1. bls.gov, "Certified Nursing Assistant salary information" (accessed March 2, 2010)
2. Allied Health Schools, "Certified Nursing Assistant" (accessed March 2, 2010)
3. Columbia Basin College, "Nursing Assistant Program Information" (accessed March 2, 2010)
