With the good career outlook on their healthcare field, many are clamoring to enroll in nursing schools hoping to join the team of medical experts. The wonderful thing about it's that there are numerous ways to become a nurse through the different nurse-related programs being provided by schools nowadays. One stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse is through a certified nursing assistant program. So, do you want a career of CNA?
What's A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
A Certified Nursing Assistant is a term used for paraprofessionals who give bedside care to patients, do basic nursing methods, and help patients within their activities of every day living. CNAs work under the immediate supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN), LPN-Licensed-Vocational-Nurse-LVN/">Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN-Licensed-Vocational-Nurse-LVN/">LVN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or any healthcare professionals.
CNAs are also known as Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). The term CNA is extensively utilized within the United States. Other job titles that are comparable to CNAs are:
o Nursing Assistant
o Nursing Auxiliary
o Auxiliary Nurse
o Nurse Aide
o Home Health Aide
o Patient Care Assistant
o Patient Care Technician
o Geriatric Aide
o Psychiatric Aide
o Nurse Technician
o Healthcare Support Worker
CNAs generally work as front liners in the administration of care to patients. They are able to find job opportunities in various health care settings including hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care facilities. Their job functions vary per institution, nevertheless, included within their scope of duties are, but not limited to:
* Assisting patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which incorporates bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, and walking.
* Observing patient's conduct and report any untoward reaction to care offered.
* Take vital signs, such as the blood pressure level, temperature, pulse and respiratory rates.
* Assisting patients on mobilization and transferring, such as walking, assistive gadgets, and more.
* Assisting in feeding and meal preparation.
* Assisting patients within their personal hygiene.
CNA Program Cost
Contrary to popular belief, the price for CNA Programs isn't as costly as those with other nursing programs. The best venues to find low-cost CNA programs are in community colleges and technical schools.
However, the cost may vary depending on your location and kind of academic facility and program you're enrolled at. In spite of the already inexpensive cost, financial aids are still available for qualified students.
CNA Program Length
The typical period of CNA Programs is about six to 12 weeks. The program entails a 75-hour training program; 16 hours of this is devoted to medical setting exposure that's duly supervised by medical instructors.
After the completion of the 12-week program, students are needed to take a comprehensive examination to evaluate their general knowledge and abilities. As soon as passed, students are then deemed certified and are legible to operate as Certified Nursing Assistants.
CNA Program Specifications
CNA Programs have less stringent admission requirements compared to other nursing associated programs. To be able to be qualified for admission, most schools need that you are at least a high school graduate. You have to be able to present your high school graduation diploma, or if you are home-schooled, a GED can suffice.
Nevertheless, some private facilities that offer a CNA training program don't need a high school diploma or GED. In this situation, you have to be able to pass the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) examination to see if you can do basic math calculations, and have basic verbal and written English skills.
Moreover, in most states, you have to be at least eighteen years old to be enrolled to a CNA Program. Some community higher schools do have training courses for nursing assistants that permits sixteen years old to take them. Nevertheless, in order to take the complete exam for nursing assistants, you must be at least 18 years old to become qualified for certification and employment.
CNA to LPN Programs
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) essentially have a higher job position than CNAs as well as have higher salaries. LPNs make an yearly income averaging at $40,000 - more than the $27,000 average annual income of CNAs. Ergo, a lot of CNAs wish to upgrade their statuses by enrolling at CNA to LPN Programs.
Most CNA to LPN Programs are provided by numerous community colleges, vocational schools, along with other reputable universities. The ladder or bridge program takes about 1 yr to complete, which covers basic nursing knowledge and fundamental patient treatment skills. The program prepares CNAs for the license examination needed for practical nurses to be LPNs.
If you are currently working as a CNA, some medical facilities give monetary support to their CNA employees who want to pursue a continuing study to become a LPN. Thus, you can take the CNA to LPN program in a part-time basis while maintaining your present employment. You are able to also choose to have a leave of absence while taking a full time CNA to LPN program.
To be qualified for admission, you have to be at least 18 years old and also have graduated from high school, together with your diploma or GED. Some institutions allow a transfer of credits out of 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 provided in many neighborhood colleges at an inexpensive cost, as well as with other higher academic facilities. In order for CNAs to become a registered nurse, they need to be able to take a two-year associate's degree in nursing to equip them for the NCLEX-RN license examination for nurses within the United States.
The same qualifications for admission are utilized to enroll in a CNA to RN program: Candidates should be a minimum of eighteen years of age, along with a high school graduate or with a GED.
Financial aids are also available for CNA to RN programs, but the most handy you are able to get is through a work study program. If you are presently employed as a CNA, many employers can provide you financial assistance 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 training to accelerate your time of completion, usually a semester down if the college allows it.
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