Things You Need To Know About A CNA Program

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With the positive career outlook on their healthcare field, many are clamoring to enroll in nursing schools hoping to join the team of medical professionals. The great thing about it is that there are many ways to become a nurse through the different nurse-related programs being offered by schools nowadays. One stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse is through a certified nursing assistant program.

What is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?

A Certified Nursing Assistant is a term used for paraprofessionals who give bedside care to patients, do basic nursing procedures, and assist patients in their activities of daily living. CNAs work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or any healthcare professionals.

CNAs are also called Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). The term CNA is widely used in the United States. Other job titles that are similar to CNAs are:

  • Nursing Assistant
  • Nursing Auxiliary
  • Auxiliary Nurse
  • Nurse Aide
  • Home Health Aide
  • Patient Care Assistant
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Geriatric Aide
  • Psychiatric Aide
  • Nurse Technician
  • Healthcare Support Worker

CNAs generally work as front liners in the administration of care to patients. They can find job opportunities in various health care settings including hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care facilities. Their job functions vary per institution, however, included in their scope of responsibilities are, but not limited to:

  • Assisting patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which includes bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, and walking.
  • Observing patient’s behavior and report any untoward reaction to care given.
  • Take vital signs, such as the blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiratory rates.
  • Assisting patients on mobilization and transferring, such as walking, assistive devices, and more.
  • Assisting in feeding and meal preparation.
  • Assisting patients in their personal hygiene.

CNA Program Cost

Contrary to popular belief, the cost for CNA Programs is not as expensive as those with other nursing programs. The best venues to find low-cost CNA programs are in community colleges and technical schools. According to the latest statistics, the price range for CNA programs is approximately $400 to $1500.

However, the cost may vary depending on your location and type of educational facility and program you are enrolled at. Despite the already inexpensive cost, financial aids are still available for eligible students.

CNA Program Length

The typical duration of CNA Programs is about 6 to 12 weeks. The program involves a 75-hour training course; 16 hours of this is dedicated to clinical setting exposure that is duly supervised by clinical instructors.

After the completion of the 12-week program, students are required to take a comprehensive exam to assess their overall knowledge and skills. Once passed, students are then deemed certified and are legible to work as Certified Nursing Assistants.

CNA Program Requirements

CNA Programs have less stringent admission requirements compared to other nursing related programs. In order to be qualified for admission, most schools require that you are at least a high school graduate. You must be able to present your high school graduation diploma, or if you are home-schooled, a GED can suffice.

However, some private facilities that offer a CNA training program do not require a high school diploma or GED. In this case, you must be able to pass the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) examination to see if you can do fundamental math calculations, and have basic verbal and written English skills.

Furthermore, in most states, you must be at least 18 years old to be enrolled to a CNA Program. Some community high schools do have training courses for nursing assistants that allows 16 years old to take them. However, in order to take the comprehensive exam for nursing assistants, you must be at least 18 years old to be qualified for certification and employment.

CNA to LPN Programs

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) essentially have a higher job position than CNAs and also have higher salaries. LPNs make an annual income averaging at $40,000 – more than the $27,000 average annual income of CNAs. Ergo, a lot of CNAs want to upgrade their statuses by enrolling at CNA to LPN Programs.

Most CNA to LPN Programs are offered by many community colleges, vocational schools, and other reputable universities. The ladder or bridge program takes about one year to complete, which covers fundamental nursing knowledge and basic patient care skills. The program prepares CNAs for the licensure examination required for practical nurses to become LPNs.

If you are currently working as a CNA, come medical facilities give financial support to their CNA staff who wish to pursue a continuing study to become a LPN. Thus, you can take the CNA to LPN program at a part-time basis while maintaining your current employment. You can also opt to have a leave of absence while taking a full time CNA to LPN program.

To be qualified for admission, you must be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school, with your diploma or GED. Some institutions allow a transfer of credits from your previous CNA training which allows you to finish the LPN bridge program shorter than expected.

CNA to RN Programs

CNA to RN programs are also offered in many community colleges at an affordable cost, as well as with other higher educational facilities. In order for CNAs to become a registered nurse, they must be able to take a two-year associate’s degree in nursing to equip them for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination for nurses in the United States.

The same qualifications for admission are applied to enroll at a CNA to RN program: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and a high school graduate or with a GED.

Financial aids are also available for CNA to RN programs, but the most convenient you can get is through a work study program. If you are currently employed as a CNA, many employers can give you financial support while allowing you to study part time for an associate’s degree in nursing. You can also opt for a transfer of credits from your CNA education to accelerate your time of completion, usually a semester down if the school allows it.

Schools Offering CNA Programs

The best places to find low-cost education on CNA Programs are in community colleges and vocational schools. Some organizations such as the Red Cross also offer CNA Certification Trainings at an affordable rate.

Depending on your location, there are many Schools offering CNA Programs in the United States. An article stated that in 2011, the top 5 nursing schools which offer a CNA training program are:

  1. University of Washington
  2. University of Phoenix
  3. University of North Carolina
  4. University of California
  5. University of Pennsylvania

Choosing the best school for a CNA program highly depends whether or not the school is accredited by the proper authorities, such as the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Accreditation and affiliation with the right authorities ensures the public that the school offers authentic and duly recognized by the state. This also assures students that the certification and education they received from the institution is of quality standard.

Online CNA Programs

CNA Programs are made more affordable, more available, and more convenient through online CNA Programs offered by many reputable schools. The training program is virtually done through discussion boards, scheduled video chats, video simulations, and course management systems that students can get 24/7 access. The same number of credit hours must be accomplished by online students in order to complete the certification program.

However, while some quizzes and practice exams can be done online, not all class requirements are to be completed virtually. Comprehensive exams and return demonstrations may need to be done in an actual classroom to prevent the likelihood of cheating. Since nursing is a hands-on profession, a certain number of clinic exposure hours are needed in affiliated medical facilities that are duly supervised by a clinical instructor.

Online CNA Programs are widely availed by many students due to the flexibility and convenience it brings, especially for students who are currently employed. However affordable Online CNA Programs with financial aids are also offered by many institutions and organizations.

Furthermore, before deciding to enroll in an online CNA Program, check if the school is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Again, this is to ensure that the institution meets state policies and guidelines for quality education.

Bottom Line

Undergoing a CNA program is a stepping stone for most people who wish to have a career in nursing at a fast pace. While it can help you get a place in the healthcare career market in just a few weeks, you might want to consider upgrading your education from CNA to LPN to RN, or perhaps to a master’s degree. It is important to note that the higher the educational attainment you achieved, the greater the career opportunities, and the higher the salary you can get.

However, when you choose a career track in nursing, you must not base this all on the high salary and promising career outlook it offers. To be a successful nurse, you must love the profession because at the end of the day, nursing is always a calling.