CNA or a Certified Nursing Assistant helps patients with daily living activities and multiple other healthcare needs. They work under the direct supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN), and many refer to them as a Nurse’s Aid, Patient Care Assistant (PCA), or Nursing Assistant. Some top responsibilities of such professionals include taking care of patients’ daily needs, attending to their wounds, documenting their information, and more.

CNA career
Some potential candidates employ their knowledge as CNAs to bridge the gap and advance their career into becoming an RN or LPN. But, most CNAs are already in nursing school programs and utilize this career as a chance to acquire added real-world knowledge and application and learn more about the healthcare industry. Some even get into CNA to assess if they wish to progress to the next step in the healthcare journey. For aspirants planning to venture into a CNA career, there are some things they should keep in mind. Read on to learn more about them.

Find out about your state’s requirements
The guidelines and requirements associated with a CNA career will vary across states. One can observe noticeable differences in the training needed and even the job title. Therefore, it helps to know the steps to becoming a CNA applicable in your state. You can check with certain administrative bodies as they have a directory of every state’s nursing aide registry with all necessary details and information.

Acquire a GED or high school diploma
Before commencing your CNA degree online or offline, you must earn a GED (General Educational Development) or a high school diploma. It is a mandatory prerequisite for candidates.

Finish the state-approved training program
Typically, the CNA training programs last between four and twelve weeks, combining classroom learning with some clinical experience. If you opt for learning at a public technical college, it will cost you between $500-3000. On the contrary, education in private schools is costlier and costs between $20000-25000. In some states, you will find CNA degrees that culminate in a certifying examination.

Finish in-person clinical training
Once you finish the CNA schooling, you will have to take the in-person clinical training session at a healthcare facility or a hospital before taking the examination and becoming certified. According to federal regulations, the CNA training programs must include at least 16 hours of practical clinical experience. However, most states usually mandate more than that. Under this session, candidates will be assessed to ensure they can cater to the job’s physical demands and evaluate their awareness and knowledge of the applicable nursing standards. Under this training, candidates will work under the supervision of an RN or a CNA. They will learn to manage everyday tasks and receive multiple opportunities to practice these skills here.

Clear the state-specified examination
Upon completing the training, a candidate must appear for an examination to acquire the CNA degree. The examination costs approximately $100 and covers the training aspects of the program, comprising-

• Infection management
• Reporting and recording medical data
• Ethics
• Daily care

Getting the first job
Once a candidate clears the exam, they can commence their job as CNA or an NA but will have to practice strictly under licensed nurses, implying they cannot offer services as independent providers.

Continue learning
As a CNA, you will continue to work towards maintaining your qualifications by completing education credits or recording your work experience. Some states mandate CNAs finish at least 12 education credits yearly.

Can you get a CNA degree online?
Some students find it difficult to opt for in-person CNA training because of their existing personal and professional commitments and busy schedules. Hence, they consider opting for the CNA degree online to fulfill the course requirements effortlessly. However, since CNA programs demand practical and theoretical training, a legitimate CNA degree cannot be 100% online. Of course, candidates can listen to lectures from home, but they must attend in-person clinical training to acquire the hands-on experience required to assist the patients.