subject: Prepare for a Successful CNA Career with CNA Training [print this page] Prospective CNAs are required to undergo CNA certification training. CNA training puts you in a position to make that career upgrade to being a registered nurse.Certified nursing assistants can be found in almost all health care institutions and medical facilities. You may refer to them as health care technicians, nurse's aides, home care workers or orderlies. CNAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, foster homes, medical facilities and private home settings.CNA training is necessary before you can be a certified nursing assistant. You can receive this training from hospitals, state-run medical facilities, medical community colleges, vocational schools, or the Red Cross, and a training course can take about six weeks. There are also free CNA training programs that are offered by the same institutions, provided that the student also render a reasonable amount of work in exchange for the free training sessions.Certain requirements must be met for a student to take CNA training, such as a drug and physical examination and a criminal background check. A majority of CNA training is centered around hands-on, practical classes on healthcare. The practical aspect is vital because CNAs have more contact with patients than registered nurses do, so they are said to be the nurses' eyes and ears.Training for CNA certification covers subject areas such as patient care, infection control, cleanliness procedures and operating basic medical equipment.How long the CNA certification training program will depend on what state the program belongs to, and the training provider. While some CNA training may take less than two months, other programs such as belonging to the Red Cross may take as long as 6 to 9 months. Longer training periods may give students better preparation for the state CNA certification exams.You can take the CNA certification exam after you have completed the CNA training course. Usually, the state health board or the training provider will be the one to award the CNA certification to successful graduates. The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program also handles CNA certification exams.CNA training is a useful training ground for those who want to break into the nursing field. The knowledge and skills gained while training for CNA certification will give CNAs valuable insight on what a nursing job entails. Even if you have no intention of becoming a nurse, being a CNA is a fulfilling and financially sound career in itself.
Prepare for a Successful CNA Career with CNA Training
