subject: The Importance Of Cna Classes To Aspiring Nurses [print this page] The importance of CNA classes cannot be ruled out prior to appearing for the CNA certification exams. The candidates who have decided to make a career in the nursing profession have to attend these classes to learn about taking care of the sick and ailing in a health institution. These classes can be attended by going to proper classrooms or can also be done online. But you have to attend the hands-on training session which is absolutely indispensable to learning the right use of clinical instruments and the proper and careful supervision of the sick. It is enough to pass GED or 10th standard diploma to be eligible for these classes.
Rules of the State
The specifications of the CNA training depends on the state in which you reside and the State health board decides where and for how much time the CNA classes should be held and completed. You can get the list of approved centers for these classes from the Board and join the one which is suitable for you. Most technical and community colleges offer these training courses which usually last for about 4 weeks. It might cost you up to $1000 to complete this course but if you can get a sponsor, you can study for absolutely free. You will have to sign a bond with the sponsor to serve for about 6 months in his health facility in exchange.
Time Period of Classes
The amount of time required to spend in the CNA classes depends on the State and it can vary between 75-100 hours. The time is divided in a fixed proportion between the theory and the practical classes. After completing the theory portion in a classroom or over the Internet, you will be required to take the practical classes in real medical environment. When you have completed the required number of hours in all these classes, you can sit for the CNA certification exam on passing which you will get a job as a nursing assistant in a hospital. The test is easy provided you have been an observant student.
Passing the Exam
In order to pass the test, you have to appear for both the theory and the practical test. Whatever you had learnt and observed in the CNA classes will come of use in the exam. The exam will be conducted under the able eyes of a senior registered nurse who will require you to perform five nursing duties. This may include demonstrating how to weigh the patient, how to give a bed pan, how to behave when entering the room of a patient, how to spread the curtains without disturbing the patient, how to keep yourself clean before touching the patient and so on.
Things to Learn
Most of the CNA classes teach the student to bathe the patient or just sponge him clean, to help him sit up in his bed with a support at his back, to deal with his anxieties in the right manner, what is considered neglect and how to avoid it, to feed him, dress him and help him turn sides. Many other important things like the human anatomy, judging the human mind, managing to treat local infections, being able to give IV fluids and inserting catheters are also taught to the aspiring nurses in these classes. On completion of these classes, you are bound to be a great nursing assistant.
