Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant

A certified nursing assistant, also known as a CNA, works closely with patients to care for their basic physical and emotional needs. A certified nursing assistant is authorized to perform specific duties to assist nurses. The certified nursing assistant typically works in a nursing home or hospital, and performs everyday living tasks for the elderly, chronically sick, or rehabilitation patients who cannot care for themselves. Certified nursing assistants are important members of the health care team who often hold a high level of experience and ability. While they do not require extensive health care training to practice their profession, a high level of manual dexterity and good interpersonal communication skills are usually necessary. They often undergo some formal education, apprenticeship or on-the-job training in areas such as body mechanics, nutrition, personal care skills, and records-keeping.

Some CNAs have a government certification, which indicates in-depth training and qualification and allows them to take on a wider scope of responsibility. These certification exams are distributed by each state. Classes to study for these exams are provided by the American Red Cross as well as other providers. The courses offered by the American Red Cross encompass all facets that are addressed in the state exams from communication to health terms to sensitivity. Most community colleges offer CNA training in one semester. However, there are other sources that offer accelerated programs.

In Arizona, the Arizona State Board of Nursing issues certificates to qualified nurses' aides; it also approves programs in certified nursing assistant training and investigates alleged misconduct. A basic curriculum for certified nursing assistant training was approved in 2006. The material for Arizona cna classes aims to get students to understand the various kinds of healthcare facilities, to know the roles of different members of the healthcare team, to know the ethical, legal, and professional behavior that is expected of them, and to understand the perennial needs of patients. Those taking the course also learn skills in communication with patients and family, using safety equipment, preventing infection, providing food and hydration to patients, cleaning and grooming patients, measuring vital signs, reporting abnormalities to the nurses, handling emergencies, and general care.

Those wishing to become certified nursing assistants must graduate from programs approved by the State Board. A high school diploma or GED is not required. At the end of the program, a test of written and manual skills approved by the Board is given for certification. The test must be passed within two years of completion of the educational program

The State Board keeps a list of programs offering certified nursing assistant programs throughout Arizona. Included are nursing facility and rehabilitation programs, acute care hospital programs, independent programs, community college programs, and high school programs. Programs vary in length but all teach the same basic skills. Given an increasingly ageing population and the recent reforms in health care, the demand for certified nursing assistants is growing in America. Obtaining a state certification to practice this profession can be beneficial to anyone looking to enter the field.