Tuesday, April 30, 2013

CNA Classes in Arizona

We’ve compiled a list of CNA classes in the state of Arizona. These are accredited by the Arizona nursing board and completion of training at these facilities will make you eligible for the state certification test.

Arizona Pioneer’s Home – Prescott
300 South McCormick Street, Prescott, AZ 86303

The Arizona Pioneers home is a nursing home that is located in the city of Prescott. It provides skilled nursing care facilities to more than 150 people. It is funded by the state government and has a well equipped nursing department that also provides a CNA training course to potential students.

Beatitudes Campus CNA Training Course
1616 West Glendale Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85021

The Beatitudes Campus on West Glendale Avenue In Phoenix provides an ideal place for individuals to retire to if they are looking to continue to learn and experience personal growth throughout life.  The campus has bee providing compassionate care since 1965. Individuals who are interested in a career as a nursing assistant can attend the Nursing Assistant Class offered by Beatitudes Campus.

Chula Vista Care Center Nurse Aide Certification- Mesa
60 South 58th Street, Mesa, AZ 85206

The Chula Vista Care Center is located in Mesa Arizona near East Main Street in the City.  This nursing care facility provides services to meet the physical and mental needs of all residents.  The center provides medical and dental care as well as physical and occupational therapy services.  Individuals wishing to work as a nursing assistant at the Chula Vista Care Center can attend their state approved CNA course.

Gila River Indian Care Cente  – Laveen
8201 West Baseline Rd., Laveen, Arizona 85339

The Gila River Indian Care Center is a nursing care community located in the city of  Laveen Arizona.  This care community offers a variety of onsite and offsite services to meet the needs of the residents.  Prospective certified nursing assistant students can apply to attend the state-approved nursing assistant training program.

Good Samaritan Society – Peoria Good Shepherd
10323 West Olive Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345

The Peoria Good Shepherd Nursing Care Facility is part of the Good Samaritan Society.  This location in Peoria, Arizona, offers a continuing care community as well as skilled nursing care.  Medicaid and Medicare are both accepted by Peoria Good Shepherd.  It is also the location of a state certified nursing assistant training program for CNA students.

Good Samaritan Society CNACertification Program  – Prescott Valley
3386 North Windsong Dr., Prescott Valley, Arizona 86314

The Good Samaritan Society CNA program at the Prescott Valley location is part of the continuing care community located on North Windsong Drive in Prescott Valley.  The care facility accepts Medicare and Medicaid for patients who are looking for compassionate and quality care.  The CNA program is among the most highly regarded training programs in the state.

Good Samaritan Society CNA Training Class – Prescott Village
1030 Scott Dr., Prescott, AZ 86301

The Good Samaritan Prescott Village campus is located in a beautiful area of mountains in Prescott Arizona.  The village offers both senior living apartments and 24-hour nursing care options set on 11 lovely acres.  Prospective nursing assistants can train for a rewarding career at the state-approved CNA program offered by Prescott Village.

Good Samaritan Society Quiburi Mission – Benson
850 South US Hwy 80, Benson, Arizona 85602

The Good Samaritan Society Quiburi Mission is located among four different mountain ranges.  It is a skilled nursing medicare facility that can accommodate 60 residents in a warm and relaxing setting.  Individuals who are interested in working as nursing assistants for the Quiburi Mission can apply to the CNA Program that they offer.

Pima Community College CTD CNA Course
Desert Vista 5901 South Calle Santa Cruz, Tucson, AZ 85709

Pima Medical Institute Nursing Assistant Course – Mesa
957 South Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202

Precision High School Nurse Aide course – Phoenix
3906 East Broadway Rd., Phoenix, Arizona 85040

Rio Salado College – Tempe 2323 West 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281

Free CNA Training Through Employment and Training Programs

You have probably read or heard about the shortage of Certified Nursing Assistants in the United States, and are now ready to start your career in this rewarding and challenging field.  How much more interested would you be if I told you that there were ways to receive your training for free?  Well guess what, one of the best ways to receive your training without worrying about big tuition bills is by getting free CNA training classes through employment and training programs already offered by various agencies.

For those who are unemployed or underemployed, a great way to start finding free Certified Nursing Assistant training is to contact the Workforce center where you live.  If you can prove to the Workforce Center that you cannot afford Certified Nursing Assistant training but would benefit from the career opportunities that such training would provide, the Workforce Center will often pay for all or most of the training.  You can find your local Workforce Center online, but the best way to contact them is by making a visit to the center where you can talk to representatives face to face and get the information you need to get started.

Another program that you may not already know about is called the ‘Displaced Homemakers’ program.  The program is designed for single parents, both male and female, who are looking for ways to better provide for themselves and their children.  You will have to show that you do not have the financial means to afford training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, and that this training would allow you to make more money in a skilled position.  There are a limited number of spots available in these programs, so you will need to apply as soon as you are able to in order to get a spot.  However, if you are accepted into this program, it is a great way to receive your training and move into a higher paying job as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Free Certified Nursing Assistant training programs are offered by state, local, and federal government agencies.  The Office of Adult and Continuing Education is a great place to start, as this agency can not only offer programs that may pay for your training, they can lead you to employers and other agencies that will assist with tuition needs.  If you are interested in joining the military after completing your training, you can look into ROTC scholarships that allow you to enter the military at a higher pay grade upon completing your training.  This means that not only is your training paid for, you have a guaranteed job when you are done!

There are many other programs available which are designed to help you complete your training as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  You can also contact your State Nursing Board for ideas, or talk to local colleges and universities to see if they have programs designed to offer training to those who could not otherwise afford it.  Taking the time to earn your degree through and employment and training program will not only help you earn a higher salary and more job opportunities, it can help you start the most rewarding career you will ever have.

CNA To RN – Career Progression

If you have worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, chances are you often worked under one or more Registered Nurses (RNs).  As a registered nurse, you will be responsible for many duties in a clinic, hospital, or private practice setting, and you will often have several other employees working for you.  While working as a Certified Nursing Assistant is a very rewarding career choice, many people choose to further their education and their career by obtaining a degree as a Registered Nurse.

While Certified Nursing Assistants earn an average salary of $27,000, Registered Nurses can make as much as $100,000 a year, depending on their experience and educational background.  Certified Nursing Assistants are needed in many different medical settings, but Registered Nurses are becoming increasingly in demand.

Before you start looking into completing a Registered Nurse program, make sure you truly enjoy being a CNA.  If you are looking to escape from patient care or the medical field, becoming an RN will not help you.  Also, do not become an RN simply because you want to make more money.  You should consider becoming a Registered Nurse because you truly love the field and believe that you are ready to handle more responsibilities.  Try talking to a working RN, whether it is someone you work with or an RN at another medical facility.  Ask a lot of questions, like what their responsibilities are, whether they like what they do, how the job pays, and which school they went to.  If you feel that becoming an RN is the right choice for you, you will need to start doing research to find the school you want to attend.

There are many schools that offer RN programs, and there is an increasing demand for RNs.  This has lead to a larger number of scholarships than ever being offered to potential RNs.  Look into these opportunities as you start to research schools, because college can be expensive.  RN programs are offered at both two-year and four-year institutions.  The benefits of a two year program are that it is usually less expensive, easier to get into, and you begin work sooner.  However, if you want to continue your education, maximize your earning potential, and prepare yourself for advanced study, you should consider a four-year program.  Many students start at a two year school which is often less expensive, and then transfer their credits to a four-year program.  Talk to your advisor to see if your school has a so-called “guaranteed transfer” option that will allow you to earn your prerequisites at one school and then automatically transfer to a four year institution.

If you have already worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, talk to your new school about transferring some of your work experience into school credit.  This is called on-the-job training or credit for life experience, and can save you both time and money.  Additionally, courses you completed as part of a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate may also apply to the degree you want to build.  Find a good counselor at your school and develop a good relationship with them- they will be able to guide you through the process.

CNA To LPN

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), like Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work under a doctor in a health care setting.  However, Licensed Practical Nurses have significantly more responsibilities and therefore demand higher salaries than CNAs in the same practice.  After spending time working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, if you find that you enjoy the medical field, chances are you will enjoy the increased responsibilities and opportunities you will have as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  If you are a CNA and are looking to further your education, increase your salary, and take on more responsibility, consider becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (also known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or LVN in some areas).

The Licensed Practical Nurse is often like a middle-manager in her practice.  The Licensed Practical Nurse does much of her work without supervision, including preparing procedure rooms, set up IVs, and administering medication.  Licensed Practical Nurses are often responsible for more patient care duties than the average Certified Nursing Assistant, and they perform more advanced procedures on patients.  Registered Nurses (RNs) look to the Licensed Practical Nurse to be their right-hand-man (or woman).  The average CNA in the United States earns about $27,000 per year.  On the other hand, Licensed Practical Nurses earn an average salary of about $40,000 annually.

To become a Licensed Practical Nurse, you will need more education.  The type and amount of education will vary from state to state.  If you want to obtain a clinical specialty license, you will often need as many as 200 hours of additional education in some areas like pediatrics, maternal medicine, and gerontology.  Other specialties like pharmacology require fewer hours.  You will also need experience in a hospital, clinic, or private practice that you can use toward your license.  Many nursing schools offer programs that allow you to use on-the-job experience as “credit hours” toward your degree, so be prepared with your work history and any past education as you visit different schools.  Each state will require a slightly different program to obtain licensure, so be sure to ask the school if their program meets state licensure requirements.  To find out what the specific requirements are in your state, contact your state’s Board of Nursing for details.

Like CNAs, Licensed Practical Nurses work in a wide variety of settings.  These can include areas where CNAs traditionally work such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, correctional institutions, or other facilities.  As registered nurses become more and more available, hospitals are moving away from CNAs and Licensed Practical Nurses and hiring more RNs.  The demand for Licensed Practical Nurses in skilled nursing facilities has grown tremendously and shows no sign of stopping due to the increase in the elderly population in the United States.  This trend will likely compensate for the decrease in Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in hospitals.

There are Licensed Practical Nursing programs available at many different vocational and community colleges throughout the country.  Programs vary in length and cost based on the requirements of each individual state, but most programs will require two years of study.  Licensed Practical Nurses must pass the national NCLEX-PN exam before they will be able to work in a hospital setting.

Free CNA Training From The Job Corps

The Job Corps is not for everyone, do thorough research before you join one. The Job Corps is a program funded and operated by the United States department of labor. It provides career and technical training to students aged 16 to 24 all around the United States. The training is provided free of cost to all individuals that qualify. Not only do you not have to pay for the training, you also get a living allowance and accommodation while you’re getting trained.

How do I get free CNA classes from the Job Corps?

1) You first locate a Job Corps centre near you. This is easy since there are more than three in most states. You can find the list here: http://www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov/en/centers.aspx

2) You visit the centre near you and enrol in the Nursing assistant program. Its that easy!

Do I have to live at the Job Corps for the duration of my training?

Not really. Some Centres allow for the possibility of staying off their premises and only showing up for the classes. You will have to call up the centre near you and see if they allow for this. It is however recommended to stay at the Job Corps Centre since you receive free basic medical care as well as dental. For more reasons to live at the centre check this out: http://www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov/en/benefits/centerlife.aspx

What other training options does the Job Corps provide?

Job Corps offers free training in several health occupations:  C.N.A., L.P.N., Clinical Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician and Pharmacy Technician.   The C.N.A. program takes approximately 4 months.  Students can also get a GED or high school diploma while they learn a trade at Job Corps. Since students can stay in Job Corps up to two years (free housing, meals, training, education, etc. for two years), many decide to stay and go on to LPN or one of the other areas of study.

Is the Job Corps for everyone?

No it isn’t. Even if you qualify by being between 18 to 24 years old, it might just not be the right fit for you. There are a lot of rules you need to follow and adhere to. Some people may get offended by the amount of discipline enforcement done within the centre. If you’re someone whose goal is to simply benefit from the education regardless of the environment then maybe it is for you. You should contact someone who’s been in the Job Corps before to see if it is the right fit for you.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Free CNA Training Available in Madison County

The job Corps managed by the United States department of labor is offering free CNA training in the city of Oneida. The training is free of cost and includes other careers as well. Some of the other training programs provided include Security guard training, construction, culinary arts and more.

There is no minimum requirement and students who wish to apply need not have a GED or high school diploma. You can complete your GED for free at the facility in conjunction with any other training you may take.

The interviews will take place On Wednesday October 20th at Working Solutions, 1006 Oneida Plaza Drive, Oneida.

To find out if you’re eligible for the program, please contact the following number: (315) 478-5529 ext. 103

If you’re not in Madison County and still want to receive free CNA training, check out our state specific pages on the right navigation bar. You can also see our page on Free CNA training by state.

As with the Job Corps in NY, it is common for Job corps of each state to offer free training in an attempt to reduce unemployment. You can check out a list of Job Corps by state.

If you want help with locating a free CNA training program in your state, contact us using the contact link at the top and we’ll try to look for a Free program for you. We understand how the situation is at the moment with regard to employment and the just ended recession and we’re trying our best to help.

If you know of a free program available, use the contact button at the top to let us know. We’ll publicize it on our website which will help alot of people get free CNA training and improve their lives.

Update: (You’ll see a comment by a Job Corps rep below which states that the training IS NOT in Oneida. We’re sorry for misleading you. We misinterpreted our source)

For further information on the different campuses in NY, go to http://www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov or attend an Orientation. Call (315) 478-5529 for information on an Orientation in your area.

Duties: Assisted Living Community CNA (ALC)

Sometimes an elderly person is in relatively good health but is not able to live entirely on their own.  If the individual is able to be relatively self-sufficient, they often opt to live in an assisted living community.  Assisted living communities are sometimes part of a continuing care community and  some are an independent facility.  You can sometimes find employment as a certified nursing assistant when working in an assisted living community.

Most individuals in an assistive living community can complete tasks of daily living with a little help.  Many residents in an Assistant Living Community do not have much trouble grooming or dressing.  You will assist residents with grooming and dressing if they have some health problems that make it difficult for them to completely dress on their own.  Some individuals in these communities will need some health with bathing.  Again this is often due to some medical conditions or balance problems.

If you work as a certified nursing assistant in an ALC, part of your job description could be to help a resident keep their room neat and clean.  Even if there is a separate cleaning staff, you might be asked to perform some light household duties in the rooms of residents.  You can pick up anything on the floor that could pose a safety risk to a patient.  You can remove food that is spoiling and even do some general dusting.  It might also be your job to make beds for residents or at least to help them make their bed.

You will do charting as a certified nursing assistant in most assisted living communities.  You will monitor and record any vital signs and factors as requested by your employer.  Many facilities will ask you to write down the resident’s activities throughout the day.  Your charting can help the medical staff assigned to the ALC, to determine if anyone might be having health problems.

Most residents in assistive living communities will also have call bells.  They can call on you when they need help.  You will answer call bells as you are able to do so.  You should always respond as quickly as you can and do whatever you can (within your job description) to help the resident.  They might simply need help with one of their tasks, the temperature adjusted in their room or even a drink.

You can help residents in an ALC, to go from their room to other areas of the building.  They might need to be pushed in a wheelchair or to have you walk with them while they go to the Community Room for activities.  You will help residents to move to and from the dining room for meals.  Sometimes it will be your job to take residents outside for some time in the outdoors.

When working at an assisted living community, you will do what you can to help residents make their room or apartment a home.  You will be there to assist them with activities as needed.  Otherwise, you will help to keep a patient safe and happy while they are at the community.

Duties: Hospital CNA

Some states hire certified nursing assistants to work in hospitals.  If you work as a certified nursing assistant in a hospital, you will keep busy throughout the day.  One of your main tasks will be to help keep patients comfortable throughout your shift.  You will really be able to help the nursing staff when working as a CNA.

There are some hospitals that have CNAs working in the emergency rooms.  If you work as a nursing assistant in an emergency room, you might help to do the intake for patients who are not seriously injured or ill.  You might very well be one who takes and records a patient’s blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and other vital signs when they come into the ER.  You might be the person to take down some information about the patient and about why they are in the ER.

If you work as a nursing assistant in an Emergency Room, you will probably be asked to take some of the non-critical patients to a room.  You can help a patient to get changed to be evaluated by the doctor.  You might be asked to hook up the automatic blood pressure monitor and to complete related duties.  Throughout a patient’s, time spent in the ER, you are likely to be asked to continue monitoring their vital signs.  You will receive details about how to respond if a patient has a signification change in their vital signs.

It is likely that you will respond to patient call balls if you are working as a CNA.  You will not always be able to assist patients with their needs.  This depends on whether they need something for comfort or have a medical concern.  If there is a medical concern, you will then need to call on a nurse or doctor.  There are some things you can help a patient with, however.  You can get them a blanket if they are cold, bring them a drink of water and perform other tasks that will make them more comfortable.

You will likely be called on to help take patients for X-Rays and such if you are working as a CNA.  Sometimes you might even be asked to help assist a doctor or a nurse.  Of course, you will primarily be completely non-medical tasks.

Your duties as a CNA working on an impatient floor of a hospital will be similar to those of one working in an ER.   You will help to record vital signs, help to keep patients comfortable and answer call bells as you are able.  You might also be the person who helps transport patients to other areas of the hospital when necessary.   Your role as a nursing assistant in a hospital can certainly be one that is very important.  The exact tasks and duties that you must complete in a hospital setting will depend on the hospital where you work.  They will also be affected by the regulations for certified nursing assistants in your state.

How To Apply For Reciprocity

If you are a nurse’s aide who is considering moving to a different state, you may be worried about how to transfer your license to the new state so you can get back to work quickly.  Luckily, all 50 states now practice what is called reciprocity based on the standardized N-CLEX.  If you already have a valid license, certificate, or are state approved to work in your current state, you will need to request reciprocity in the state you are moving to.

The first step is to contact the Nurse Aide Registry in the state you live in and request a document called “Application for Enrollment by Reciprocity.”  They will be able to tell you whether to send the application back to them or to the registry in the state you are moving to.  It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the Nurse Practice Act in your new state to make sure you are following all laws and regulations in your new state.  Then, contact the state you will be moving to and ask if they need you to fax the completed Application for Enrollment by Reciprocity.  If you call and get an automated line, be ready to take notes about the information you hear, but try your best to get a real person on the line.  Be sure to make copies of all paperwork for your own records, and keep notes on who you talked to and their phone numbers.  Remember, just because you have applied does not mean you are licensed.  Most states will send you a temporary permit so that you can practice while they complete the application processes.

Once the new state tells you how they want the information sent (via fax, mail, or by internet), be sure to do this right away.  Make sure you have correct information such as fax numbers, mailing addresses, etc.  To help speed up the process, make a packet in advance that contains the following:

    A copy of your Social Security Card
    A copy of y our drivers license and other photo identification
    A copy of your current state approval, license, or certificate
    A copy of a pay stub or other document that shows that you have worked in a nursing facility (nursing home, hospital, clinic, office, etc) within the past two years.
    A letter that provides your new address, where you will be working (if known), and where they should send your new card.
    A copy of any degrees or certificates you have earned.

The registry may ask for other information, but this will usually be the minimum information required.  When you send the info, a note to thank the person who helped you can go a long way to speeding the process.

Many new employers will require that you complete a training and testing program for nursing assistants.  Your employer will be able to provide you with information about local training and testing sites.  Many states use local community colleges, others use independent agencies.  If you want to find a training and testing site on your own, call a trainer or Director of Nursing in you area.  If they can’t help you, contact the Area Agency on Aging or NATP agency in the new state.

The process for transferring your license is no longer difficult and time consuming.  By following these steps, you should be able to begin practicing in no time!

Become A CNA in 5 Easy Steps

It is not overly difficult to become a certified nursing assistant.  You will need to be motivated and to care about others in order to work successfully as a CNA.  A certified nursing assistant provides basic (generally non-medical) care for patients and clients in healthcare and home health settings.  There are five easy steps you can follow to become a CNA.

    Determine whether you will pay for a training program out of your pocket or search for free training options.  Nursing care facilities often offer training at no cost to individuals who will then work for the employer for an agreed upon amount of time.  Make a list of facilities in your area where you can search for employer-sponsored training.  You might also be able to receive free training if you are unemployed or receiving public assistance benefits or if you have an extremely low income and are looking to improve your employment status.
    Search for nursing assistant training courses that you are interested in attending.  You must find a course that has been approved by the state where you are receiving training.  Such a course will offer classroom and clinical instruction to train you for your new career.  Courses are often offered at community colleges and technical schools, nursing care facilities, some high schools and even some nursing schools.  Contact any institutes of higher learning in your community and surrounding communities in order to find training options.
    Enroll in a program that best fits your needs.  You will want to find a training program that you can afford or one that offers scholarship and other financial assistance programs.  You will also want to attend a school offering a course schedule that works with your life.  Some CNA training courses are offered on a part-time basis while others are full-time.  You can even search for nighttime training programs or weekend courses.
    Complete the entire nursing assistant training course.  Courses will include classroom instruction as well as hands on experience.  It is necessary to complete all assignments and to attend all clinical instruction classes.  If you must miss a class or a clinical day, it is necessary to contact your instructor right away to determine how you can make up your work.  Upon completion of your course, the instructor can help you complete all necessary paperwork to schedule your certification exam
    Sit for the exam for certification in your state.  You will need to follow all instructions that come with your test date announcement.  In some states you will need to bring someone with you to act as your model patient for the skills portion of the test.  Pass both the written and the skills portion of the test in order to receive your certification.

If you follow a few simple steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a certified nursing assistant.  Some states will add you to the registry for nursing assistants once you pass the exam.  In other states, you will need to make certain that your name is added to the list.

Should I Become A CNA?

Deciding to enter a Certified Nurse Assistant training class is a big decision.  Oftentimes, people question whether or not it is the right choice for them.  “ Am I smart enough to be a nursing assistant?” “Do I have the ability to be a good healthcare worker?” “Will I like it?”

Before making the decision to enter a nurse assistant program, it is important to ensure you have met the prerequisites.  Many states require you to have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma.  You can check with your state’s department of health to see what the requirement is for you.  Some programs have an age requirement also.  Check with the program coordinator.

Nurse assistant training can range from 2 weeks to half a year.  Some vocational schools offer the program on a part time basis.  Many nursing homes offer the program and will require you to fulfill an employment obligation after successfully completing the course. These nursing homes usually cover the cost of the course and the testing. Some colleges do a semester long training at well.  These courses are for a fee and the cost of testing is usually the responsibility of the student.  Some colleges have financial assistance or scholarships available to offset the cost.  It is important to consider the following before choosing a program:  cost of the program, length of study, teaching style, and size of the class.  Knowing your finances and learning style before choosing a program will help guarantee your success.

Becoming A CNA

Training courses will have a portion of the learning experience in the classroom and a portion that is a clinical training.  Clinical training can be in a lab setting or on the job.  Many programs will team you up with an experienced C.N.A. for part of your training and increase your work load gradually until you are comfortable doing a full assignment.

Nurse assisting is not a glorious job.  At times it can be physically demanding and emotionally taxing.  If you are entering this line of work thinking it will be easy and glamorous, then you may be surprised.  Although it can be a busy job, with good organizational skills, you can easily get through a shift and still find it enjoyable and rewarding.  Anyone who has difficulty with organization should bring this to the attention of the classroom teacher.  Some personal skills that are useful to a nurse assistant are:  cheerfulness, caring, organized, helpful, flexible, and energetic.  If you possess these, you are off to an excellent start!  If you do not, don’t worry.  These are skills that can be developed with time.

If you have always had an interest in healthcare, or if you have always wanted to care for others, nurse assisting is a great job that can be a lifelong career or a stepping stone to many other healthcare careers.  Many nurses, doctors, therapists, and dieticians once worked as C.N.A.s.  It is a wonderful basis for so many things.  I was once a C.N.A. and would not trade that time for anything!

Passing The Written Portion Of Your CNA Test

The written portion of the certified nurse assistant test varies from state to state.  It is comprised of a set number of questions and you must get a specific percentage right to pass the exam.  Many students’ struggle with this part of the test and sometimes even fail for various preventable reasons.  By setting good study skills, you ensure that you can be a success.

When you first enroll in a nurse assistant program, vow to set aside half an hour each night to review the material that you learned that day.  Spend this time to focus on things you may have misunderstood in class or been a little confused about.  Make notes of things you would like to clarify with your instructor.  By reviewing the material that was presented to you earlier in the day, you are helping to commit it to memory.

Know your study style. Some students do best quizzing themselves with index cards, or carrying index cards with them.  Others prefer to rewrite notes and key points from the text.  Still others find highlighting things in the notes and text book to review later helpful.  Many students find that reading the text or notes aloud helps them to remember.  Find your best method and use it often.

Passing the written CNA exam

Know your best study time. If you are naturally a morning person, set your alarm.  Get up and enjoy the quiet of the morning and hit the books.  If you are more of a night owl, wait until the sun sets, pull out your notes, and start studying.

Know your best study setting. Keep the room a comfortable temperature.  If it is too cool, grab a sweater and extra socks or slippers.  If it is too hot, consider a fan or air conditioner.  Make sure you have enough room for all your supplies:  notes, text book, paper, pencils.   Feeling cramped can be a distraction.  Some students find the kitchen or dining room table an excellent place to study.  This gives you plenty of room with few distractions.  That is the equation for a good study session.

Do not rely on last minute “cramming”. This is a terrible mistake made by many students.  Nerves are high on test days and chances are you will not retain the material that you need to pass.  If you have been studying daily, you should already know the material.  Cramming at the last minute puts you at risk for confusion.  Don’t make this mistake.

Lastly, the harder you work, the better you will do.  There truly is no such thing as too much knowledge.  Learn all that you can before your exam.  Seek out additional material at the library or online.  Ask advice from friends and family.  Increase study time and you will increase knowledge.  This in turn will lead to increased confidence.  Final result?  A passing score on your nurse assistant exam!

Can I Handle the Stress of the Nursing Field?

Many people shy away from becoming a certified nursing assistant because they hear of how stressful it can be.  Although staffing shortages, financial hardships, and more complex case loads are plaguing the field of nursing, it is still a rewarding and valued career choice.  The key to being a success is knowing how to handle the stresses that come with the profession.

Recognizing your stress level is first and foremost.  Being able to detect early warning signs in yourself can prevent things like burn out, anger, or depression.  Many people experience warning signals such as:  exhaustion, change in appetite, headaches, insomnia, crying, chest pain, or difficulty concentrating.  If you feel any of these symptoms, you should evaluate the stress level of your situation.

Learning to manage stressful situations is key to accomplishing a sound mind and exceptional career that you can be proud of.  There are several ways to deal with stress.  One way is to remove yourself from the situation.   Ensure the situation is safe, and then take a 5 minute breather.    This can be the refreshment that you need to clear your mind.

Nursing and Stress

Make sure you are getting enough sleep.  It has been shown that lack of proper amounts of sleep can lead to nervousness, overreactions, and trouble focusing.  These problems can fuel the fire of stress and make a small problem soon become big.  Rest is vital to a clear mind.

Find ways to relax when you are not at work.  Meditation, prayer, yoga, deep breathing, aroma therapy, or just quiet movies on the couch are all ways to unwind.  The key is to get your mind off the things that cause you stress and give your brain and body some much needed down time.  This will better prepare you to properly react to stressful situations.

Remember the following for stress management:

-Some things are out of your control so don’t waste time worrying about them.  The only thing you have full control over is your own reactions.

-Solve problems that are small first.  It can be overwhelming to tackle big problems.  Solving the smaller ones will give you a sense of accomplishment.

-Well balanced meals and regular exercise should not be underestimated.  They are a must for a low stress, healthy life.

-Share your feelings with someone you trust.  This will take the weight off your shoulders and possibly give you a different perspective.

Lastly, be positive.  See the glass as half full.  Try to put all your focus on whatever you can find positive with each new situation.  And smile.  Smiles are contagious.  Be the one to turn the mood to happy and not angry.  All these tips can lead to a long, successful, and happy career in the nursing field.

Duties: Long Term Care Facility

You can work as a certified nursing assistant in a long-term care facility if you hold an active and valid CNA certification in your state.  You will play an important role in the lives of patients at the long-term care facility where you work.  Each day you will have a lot of tasks and duties to complete.

If you work in a long-term care facility, you will likely work with patients of varying levels of health.  You will work primarily with elderly people.  There might also be some individuals with severe and chronic health conditions who are not elderly.  For example, sometimes people with progressive MS must live in a long-term care facility.

When working in a long-term care facility, you will help to record patient vital signs and other details.  You will contact a nurse or doctor (depending on the instructions you are given when hired) if you notice that there is a decline in a patient’s health or if they are developing a new illness, complication or injury.  You must keep carefully records when working as a CNA.

There will be some residents in a long-term care facility who need a high level of care.  Some residents will need to be changed because they can no longer use the restroom on their own.  You will have some residents that you will completely bathe, dress and groom. There are some patients who will need you to feed them so they can eat safely. If you have residents that are unable to move on their own, you will help to transport them when they need to go to other areas of the long-term care facility.

Nursing assistants play an important role in helping patients to avoid the development of bedsores.  If patients are able to be mobile on their own, you can help them to get up and moving so that they are not laying in one spot too long.  You will help to rotate and move residents in their bed to prevent bedsores if they cannot move on their own.

Some residents will simply need assistance with most of their daily activities.  They might need a little help with dressing and bathing.  Some residents will need some assistance getting in and out of bed and walking to other areas of the facility.  Some residents will need you to push them in a wheelchair.  They might also need help completing their range of motion activities.

When you work as a CNA, you will often respond to call bells.  You will respond to residents when they need some extra help.  Some residents will be in overall good health and will just need some light and general assistance throughout the day.

If you work as a CNA in a long-term care facility, you will help to protect a resident’s privacy when family members and other people are visiting.  Throughout the day you will do your part to keep residents happy and safe.

In some cases, you might be helping to deliver medication to patients.  This will depend on regulations in your state and the facility for which you work.  You might also help to change dressings for patients who need wound care and perform some other basic first aid care.

There is a lot you will do while working as a certified nursing assistant in long-term care facility.  You will be an important member of the team at the facility.

Duties: Travelling CNA

You can work as a travelling CNA if you do not mind travelling around your local cities for your work.  If you are a travelling CNA, you will go to the client’s home to work with them.  You might have more than one client in a day.  Some travelling nurses travel between different nursing care facilities rather than a patient’s home.  As a travelling CNA, you will have many duties and responsibilities.

Your job as a CNA will involve some travel.  You will go from your home to the homes of your clients or to the various healthcare facilities where you have clients.  Of course, you might also be traveling between more than one client each day or week.  There will be times you must go to your home base (such as the home healthcare agency) for meetings and to submit paperwork.

Each day you, you will travel to visit your client.  You will provide your care services for them throughout the day.  You will assist clients with their activities of daily living.  Your job description might include providing companionship for your clients.  Additionally, you might be asked to complete some light household duty.

When working as a travelling CNA, you might be asked to attend hospital appointments with your client.  You will often be asked to accompany them to physical therapy or occupational therapy if they are in any such programs.  There might even be times when you go with a client to help them shop for things they need, to go for groceries or even to go for a haircut.

You can help to monitor a client’s health when you are a travelling nurse.  You will monitor vital signs.  There will often be paperwork that you complete each day writing down what activities your client completed during the day.  The papers will often require you to write down what your client eats and drinks throughout the day.  The exact information that you must record will depend on their health conditions.

As a travelling CNA, you will be able to help clients from various walks of life.  Some of your clients might be terminally ill.  Some will be young clients who have chronic or even life-long health problems.  You will sometimes have clients who are elderly but who are still living in their own home or living with family members rather than living in a long-term care facility.

Most travelling nurses will have days where they work under the direction of a professional nurse.  The nurse will come to view you working with a client.  They will provide you with any advice or insights you need.  They will provide you with an evaluation of your work.

You might be asked to attend seminars to provide you with additional training.  Certified nursing assistants often need to complete continuing education credits each year.  This continuing education helps to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to continue providing the best care for your patients.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Duties: Home health CNA

You will have a lot of duties and responsibilities if you are a CNA working for a home health agency.  If you work for a home heath agency, you might be assigned to just one client each day.  In other cases, you might visit more than one client.  Either way, you will be providing care services for individuals who have disabilities or illnesses that result in them needing help with activities of daily living.  Your exact duties will vary depending on how many assistive services your clients need.

You might very well monitor vital signs for your clients.  If they are ill, you might be asked to keep tract of their temperatures.  You will record blood pressure and pulse readings for many of your clients.  It might even be your job to help some patients take their blood glucose readings if they are diabetic.  These are not the only things you will be documenting in patient’s chart.

Most home health aides are expected to keep careful notes of a patient’s condition and care each day.  You will record what tasks and activities you complete for a client as well as any activities for which you assist your clients.  It might be necessary to write down what your client is eating and drinking throughout the day (and how much).  Depending on a patient’s condition, you might be asked to record how many times they use the bathroom or how many times you must change your client throughout the day.

If your client is self-sufficient, your job will be to help your client to safely complete their daily tasks.  You will assist them with grooming, dressing and eating if necessary.  You might oversee your patient’s range of motion exercises or perform range of motion exercises for those who are not able to be mobile on their own.  Throughout the day you might help your client to move about the house and even to get outside for some fresh air.  Home Health nursing assistants often provide some companionship for their clients as well.

Your client might need further services if they are not able to complete activities of daily living on their own.  There will be some clients who you will need to change their adult diapers during the day.  Some clients will need you to bathe, groom and dress them.  You might very well have a patient for whom you need to feed and providing hydration to throughout the day.

If you have a patient who is not mobile on their own, you might need to move them between a bed and a wheelchair throughout the day.  Patients who are confined to a bed will need to be rotated in their bed.  You will help to prevent the formation of bed sores for these patients.

You will have a lot of tasks and duties if you work as a home health nurse.  You will do your part to keep your clients comfortable and safe throughout the day.

Tips for Mastering the Skills Portion of Your CNA Test

The certified nurse assistant test consists of two parts:  written and clinical skills.  For the clinical portion, you will have to successfully complete three separate skills for a test administrator appointed from your state.  Most students find this to be the most stressful part of the test.  During the actual test it will be you, the examiner, and possibly a volunteer in the room.  Even the thought of this scenario can lead to extreme anxiety in many students.  By following the tips provided in this article, you will increase your chances of passing this part of your exam.

    Practice your skills as taught by your instructor and as demonstrated in your text book.  The more you practice, the more confident you will feel.  Enlist the help of family, friends, co-workers, or even use a doll.  Ask your teacher for extra help if you are struggling with certain skills.  Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you feel confused as to how to do a certain skill.  Being afraid to ask for help can be a barrier to learning and can ultimately lower your chances of passing.  The old saying “Practice makes perfect.” Is true!
    With each skill you perform during your test, remember to introduce yourself.  It is important to display professionalism with each skill performance.   Even if you a performing a skill on the manikin, such as doing a rectal temperature, make sure you introduce yourself and explain what you are about to do.  Some students have lost points for failing to do so.
    Get a good night’s sleep before your test.  Lack of sleep can add to your nerves.  Fatigue can also lead to poor recall, clumsiness, and irritability.  All these are things that could change the outcome of your test and they are all preventable with enough rest.
    Eat a good meal before your test.  Being hungry can lead to the same symptoms as little sleep.  It also can be a distraction that takes your focus off the task at hand.  Make sure the meal is filling but not too heavy.  Skip foods that have caused you problems in the past; diarrhea, gas, indigestion.  Healthy choices are always best.  Also, avoid too much caffeine as this can increase jitters.  Stick with water to keep yourself hydrated.
    During the test:  wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.  You cannot wash your hands enough.  Wash before and after each skill and as instructed by your teacher.  Forgetting to wash your hands is an infection control issue and can lead to a failure.
    If you make a mistake during your test, “fess up”.  By telling the examiner what your mistake is and how you would have done it the right way, you are showing knowledge, honesty, and possibly winning back valuable points.
    Breathe.  Before going in for your exam, take 5-10 deep cleansing breaths.  This will release carbon monoxide and lactic acid and increase oxygen and blood flow, in turn, lowering pulse and respirations thereby, calming you.  Never underestimate the power of a few deep breaths!

With these tips and a good knowledge of the skills you learned in the classroom, you are sure to be a success!

CNA Training Videos – Do They Contribute To Better Learning?

A CNA is an individual who is known as a certified nursing assistant.  Someone cannot become a CNA until they complete an accredited CNA training program and pass both portions of the certification exam.  An individual will need to study well and make use of a variety of different resources to prepare for the exam.

CNA training videos can be a great help to anyone who is studying to become a certified nursing assistant.  Videos are often used in CNA training courses.  The videos are often used to show students the proper process to use when completing a variety of certified nursing assistant tasks.  Individuals training to be nursing assistants can get a feel for the types of duties and responsibilities given to a CNA.

A CNA student can begin to learn about a job as a CNA while watching these videos.  The videos help a student to start to have an idea of what they will need to know when they begin their clinical portion of the exam and when they start to work as a certified nursing assistant.

Many of the training videos show a CNA working through their day.  People training to become a CNA can see what it is like to be a nursing assistant.  The videos can illustrate the type of situations that a CNA runs into in their time at work.  Those training to be a CNA will learn a great deal about a job as a CNA from watching training videos.

Nurse Aide training videos are sometimes used to show potential certified nursing assistants how to protect a patient’s privacy.  Often times, there will be videos to show what they should and should not to in order to ensure that all patients have their privacy protected.
These videos are often used to illustrate to students how to preserve a patient’s dignity as well.  The videos will show them and other staff members who are doing things in the best way and some people who are doing things in the wrong way.  This will help a CNA student to identify the best approach when maintaining a patient’s privacy and dignity.

There are CNA training videos that show step-by-step instructions for the most common duties of a CNA.  These videos serve as a good starting point for those training to be a CNA.  The videos can give the training CNA a good idea of how to safely complete all duties.  Individuals can watch videos more than once and ask questions in order to be better prepared to complete these tasks during the clinical portion of their training program.

Videos are often a good resource for those who are studying for the certification exam.  They provide a good way to brush up on the skills and information that was covered during the CNA training course.  CNA students can carefully view videos in order to make certain they are prepared for both the written and skills portion of their certification exam.

CNA Certification Programs

You will need to look into CNA certification programs if you want to work as a certified nursing assistant. Sometimes an employer will pay for these programs if you are going to work form them.   Certified nursing assistants provide care for patients who are sick or injured.  They work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, continuing care communities and home-health settings.  Before you can work as a CNA, you will need to receive training and pass a certification exam.

Certification programs prepare you to work as a CNA as well as preparing you to pass the necessary certification exam.  They provide the necessary instruction to teach you to work as a nursing assistant. These programs generally include classroom instruction, role-playing, demonstrations and hands on experience.

You will learn to perform a variety of common duties and tasks required of a CNA on a daily basis.  The training programs will teach you to safely work as a certified nursing assistant so that you never risk injury to yourself or to a patient.  Your training program will help you learn how to protect the rights and privacy of all patients.

CNA training programs can be full-time or part-time.  Some classes last for a few weeks and some last several months.  It normally costs between $600 and $1000 for certification courses.  Courses are often offered through nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.  Some community colleges and nursing schools offer CNA training.  Many chapters of the American Red Cross also offer CNA training.

If you want to successfully complete CNA training, there are a few things that you must be sure to do.  Read all materials and complete all assignments that are given to you during the course of the training program.  Pay close attention during class, demonstrations and clinical rounds.  If you have questions, do not be afraid to ask for assistance from your instructor.

Be certain to attend all of your classes and your clinical days.  If there is an emergency situation which will cause you to miss a class, contact your instructor right away to determine how you can make up any work you miss.  This is especially important if something occurs on a day when you have clinical sessions.  Do not be afraid to ask for help during your clinical rounds to be sure you learn to provide the best possible care for your patients.

Once you have completed all requirements for your CNA Training program, you will need to take the CNA certification exam.  This exam includes a written portion as well as a practical segment where you will demonstrate CNA skills.  It will be necessary to demonstrate several different skills during the test.   You will not receive your CNA certification until you pass both parts of the test.

A CNA training program will prepare you for the career of working as a nursing assistant.  Without this training program, you cannot become a certified nursing assistant.  CNAs earn more income and are often able to perform more duties than nursing aides who are not certified.

Can You Really Become A CNA Online?

You can become a CNA Online provided you complete a part of the training at a hands on local training facility.  Online CNA training courses offer a good way for busy adults to start a new career.  Internet training programs provide people with the flexibility that they need to study to become a CNA while balancing family, work and other responsibilities.

In order to become a CNA online, you need to find an online CNA training program.  Keep in mind that you will need to complete the clinical portion of your training offline.  There are many nurse aide training programs listed on the Internet.  You can also contact local community colleges and allied health schools to determine if they offer training online.

You will need to find an online program that is fully accredited and will make you eligible to sit for a CNA certification exam in your state.  If you are unsure as to whether the training course is fully accredited, you can contact the board of nursing aide registry in your state.

Once you find the right online course for you, take the time to enroll in the CNA training program.  You will receive instructions on how to complete your studies.  You will most likely need to read materials and take tests or quizzes online.  Some training courses will have interactive portions of the course as well as virtual lab work.

In order to successfully complete an online program, you will need to set aside each day to complete your work.  You will need to take time to complete your assignments and take your quizzes as well.  It will take some self-discipline in order to make the most of an online CNA training program.

If you have any problems with your online training, you will need to contact your instructor or instructors.  Do not be afraid to ask questions.  You should also use any other class resources or study resources that are available.  There might even be forums where you can interact with other students.

At some point during your online CNA training, you will need to complete the clinical portion of your test.  This will need to be done at a local healthcare facility in your area.  Your instructor at your online school can help you to arrange your clinical experience.  During this time, you will complete a variety of tasks under the supervision of a nurse (or other healthcare provider).

You will need to complete all steps of the online CNA training process.  It is likely that you will need to receive a minimum grade on all tests before you are able to continue forward.  Once you complete all requirements and pass your training course, you will need to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam.

If you have paid carefully attention during your training, you should be well on your way to passing the certification exam.  You can do as well on the exam if you train online as you would have if you trained offline.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Travel CNA Jobs

Travelling CNA jobs are generally for nursing assistants who work in home health settings.  They travel to a patient’s home rather than working in a healthcare facility.  Some travelling CNAs will have more than one client while others will work with the same person each day.  Travelling nursing assistants might work in the daytime or even at night.
There are many types of CNA jobs.  Some nursing assistants work with individuals who are terminally ill.  They provide basic care for those patients while trying to make them feel comfortable.  Nursing aides who work with terminally ill patients will need to provide compassion and understanding to the loved ones of their clients as well.  These nursing assistants will sometimes provide some basic household duty services in addition to the nursing care.
Many travelling CNA jobs are for nursing assistants who work with people who have disabilities or long-term illnesses.  Clients can be children, young adults and older adults.  The certified nursing assistants will work with individuals with varying levels of health conditions.  Some people need a lot of care while others simply need help with certain tasks each day.  There are some clients who will need some companionship in addition to their medical care help.
Some travel jobs through home health agencies involve working with elderly people who live in their home.  These individuals might need some help with certain tasks through the day or might need help all day long.  Some clients might live with family members and need some basic care services while their loved ones are at work.  Travelling  jobs are sometimes available through agencies for the elderly as well.
Travelling CNA jobs do not always involve working in the homes of clients.  There are some agencies that hire CNAs to travel to different healthcare and nursing care facilities in their local area.  These jobs allow CNAs to work at more than one facility.  A CNA might be called to a continuing care community to work one day when the center is understaffed due to one or more nursing assistants being ill.  The CNA might be sent to another nursing home the following day to help if there is an increase in residents at the facility.
Travelling  jobs can be very rewarding.  Nursing assistants have the opportunity to provide kind and passionate care for more than one patient.  Their jobs can be challenging as they travel from home to home or place to place for work.  It is not likely to ever be boring when working as a travelling CNA.  There can be the potential to earn a hire salary working as a travelling CNA.
A travelling job can be found by searching classified ads in the newspaper.  They can also be located by searching online classified ads.  People interested in this type job position can also apply for employment with home health agencies.
A useful resource we’ve picked up for getting travel CNA jobs. Click here
The page is continuously updated with new job vacancies.

Travel CNA Salary And Payscale

This article goes into the salary and payscale structure for travelling CNA’s. A travelling CNA generally refers to a CNA who travels to the home of clients (much like a traveling nurse).  Sometimes travelling CNA refers to certified nursing assistants who travel to more than one healthcare facility in their area to provide services.  The duties of a travelling CNA are much like the duties of every other nursing assistant.

Some nursing assistants like to work as a travelling CNA.  They have the opportunity to work in more than one setting.  They get to interact with multiple patients and clients.  The day is never likely to get boring.  Some travelling CNAs get to work in more than one location in the same day, which helps the day to go faster.  A travelling CNA has a chance to make a difference in the lives of many people.

A travelling nursing assistant will often make more money than a CNA who works in a single location.  The nursing assistant is compensated for the fact that he or she must travel to more than one place for work during the day or week.  He or she is also paid more income since they need to balance the care of patients in more than one location.

Some travelling nursing care agencies also pay their CNAs some mileage fees to cover the cost of their travels from one location to another.  They might be compensated in some way for the time that they spend traveling to and from the homes of clients each day for work.

On average, a travelling CNA will make $25,000-30,000 per year.  This is about $13-$15 per hour for a 40 hour workweek.  Many nursing assistants who are not travelling CNAs start out making $10 or $11 per hour.  Some nursing assistants will make even more money working for a travelling agency.

A travelling CNAs salary can depend on many factors.  Some travelling agencies pay more than others.  A certified nursing assistant is likely to earn more money with more years of experience.  The number of patients that a travelling nurse sees each day or each week can have an impact on the salary.
It is often possible for a travelling CNA to get in overtime hours.  This is especially true for CNAs with multiple clients (in the home health setting).  If a travelling CNA works overtime, their earning potential increases even more.  The amount will depend on the rate for overtime (whether it is straight time or whether the individual is paid 1 ½ times or more their regular salary.  Individuals who are ill need care 365 days per year.  Travelling nursing assistants often need to work on holidays which can provide the potential to receive additional pay as well.

Some travelling CNA agencies provide benefits for their nursing assistants as part of their salary package.  These benefits might include things like paid time off, life insurance benefits, retirement accounts or even health insurance benefits.  Certified nursing assistants who do not receive these benefits will often earn a little bit of a higher salary to compensate for the fact that they do not receive benefits.

Travel CNA Job Description

A travelling nursing assistant often refers to a CNA working for a home health facility. A CNA is what is called a certified nursing assistant.  They perform a variety of duties to help care for patients whether it be in a healthcare setting or a home health setting.  Nursing assistants must complete a training course and pass a certification exam if they wish to be certified as a CNA.  Some nursing assistants do not work on a single floor or even in one building but rather travel around.

Travelling certified nursing assistants have a variety of job duties.  They work to help patients with their activities of daily living.  They provide basic care and support services for patients.  They can answer a patient’s call bell if they need assistance that falls under the duties of a CNA.

A travelling nursing assistant might be needed to help patients with range of motion exercises, to get out for a walk or simply to be moved from their room to another room or outdoors for fresh air. Some traveling CNAs will provide companionship for patients and might even be responsible for helping to clean a patient’s living area and to help the patient maintain a positive spirit.

Travelling certified nursing assistants work in more than one location.  Some facilities might refer to a travelling nursing assistant as nursing aides who work on more than one floor or building in the healthcare facility. They are called upon to work with multiple patients and to work with staff members from throughout the facility.  Travelling nursing assistants will work wherever they are needed from day to day.  They might also feel in on a particular floor or area when someone is on vacation or out sick.

Travel CNA’s provide services for one or more patients in their own home.  In some cases the patients are elderly individuals who still live in their own home or who live with family members who are unable to provide all of their care.  A travelling CNA will provide many of the same duties as a CNA working in one particular setting.  They might also be asked to complete some basic household and cooking duties.

Some travelling nursing assistants work with people who have fallen ill and are being cared for in their own home.  Some patients are those who will recover within times.  In other cases, a nursing assistant will need to provide basic care, compassion and comfort for someone who is terminally ill.  They will often work to help provide compassion for the loved ones of those patients as well.

Nursing assistants who work as travelling CNAs often work with clients who have chronic health conditions (such as someone with cerebral palsy or someone who is paralyzed).  The CNA will provide the care necessary for the client to remain health and well throughout the day.  They might work with patients of all different ages (children through adults and including the elderly).

A travelling nursing assistant will have a challenging but rewarding job.  The hours can be long but the pay is often better than more traditional CNA jobs.

CNA Recertification

CNA Recertification is the process of renewing your nursing assistant certification. All states require the renewal process to be done every two years. The renewal has to be done before the last day of your birth month.
Criteria for Recertification

You must have worked for a minimum of 150 hours in the duration of the last two years. This number varies across states and you must find out from your state board. This is in place to ensure that CNA’s have kept up with the changes in the field. If you’ve been out for a longer period there may be certain changes.

A document certifying that you are a US citizen or are eligible to work in the country. This is a normal verification procedure in most working boards.

A declaration of felony convictions has to be done to the state board of nursing. Failure to inform the board of any convictions will lead to immediate removal from the register.
The Application for CNA Recertification

You have to fill in your personal information in the first section. The second section has to be filled by your employer. This is easy if you are currently employed. If you’ve been out of work currently, you’ll have to find your last employer for whom you worked for more than 150+ hours during the last two years.

After you fill it out, you will have to mail it your state board. Be prepared to wait for at least two weeks for the renewal process to get completed.
What if I haven’t worked as a CNA for over two years?

This is where it gets a little tricky. States differ on how this situation is handled.

Some states will require you to undergo your CNA training again. This means that you will have to go for a hundred or more hours of nurse aide training followed by the CNA certification test. This can be expensive. This is why you have to ensure that you work the required amount even if it’s just part time every two years to make it easy for renewal.

Other states will simply ask you to do the certification test again. You’ll have to brush up on your studying and get it over with. You will have to pay the state fees for the test as well.

We have a whole section on CNA License information which you can check out should this article not give you the answers you require. Alternatively, you can even send us a question using the form below and we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Why CNA Certification Matters

A certified nurse aide is a nursing assistant who has received formal training.  If you want to become a certified nurse aide, you will need to complete an accredited training program and pass the exam for certification.

There is a difference between a nurse aide and a certified nurse aide.  A certified nurse aide has received certification that is approved by the state.  They are registered with the State Board of Nursing as a certified nursing assistant.  These credentials are higher than those of a nurse aide who is not certified.

A nurse aide who is not certified will not be able to perform all the duties of a certified nursing assistant.  A nurse aide might be someone who works in a hospital taking vital signs (with few other duties) or working in an assisted living community where an individual needs a little help but is otherwise able to function on their own.

A certified nurse aide will generally earn more money than one who is not.  They often have more employment opportunities than a nurse aide who is not certified.  A certified nursing assistant can work in the skilled nursing section of a continuing care community.  They can work in a variety of home health settings.  Some states even allow certified nursing assistants to work in doctor’s offices.

It is sometimes possible to start out as nurse aide and then receiving training for certification.  Some healthcare facilities will hire someone to work as a nurse aide in a department for which they qualify.  The person can then take the time necessary to complete certification training and testing in order to move on to another department.

If you are currently working as a nurse aide who is not certified, you might want to consider going for your certification.  This is especially true if you enjoy your career as nurse aide.  You will have a higher earning potential and more employment opportunities after you complete your certification.

There are certification programs offered by many healthcare facilities.  You can also find training programs through dozens of chapters of the American Red Cross.  Some community colleges and allied health colleges offer training programs for those who want to be a certified nurse aide.  There are even some online courses for people who want to become a nursing assistant.

You will complete classroom lectures and studies as well as hands on experience to train for a nursing assistant.  A course will teach you about the various tasks you will need to complete as a nursing aide.  You will learn how to do your work safely and effectively.  The course will help you learn how to interact well with patients.

After you have completed all required coursework, you will need to take the certification test.  This test will include a written section as well as a procedural section where you will demonstrate several certified nursing assistant tasks.  Once you complete the certification exam, you can then become a certified nursing aide and start your new career.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

CNA Training – Taking Vital Signs

When you are train to be a CNA, you will learn about taking vital signs.  This will be an important part of your day when you are working as a certified nursing assistant.  You will help to monitor a patient’s vital signs throughout your shift.

You will learn the procedure for taking vital signs when you are hired at a healthcare facility.  In most cases, you will be making notations of those signs in the patient’s chart.  You will be told what to do if a patient’s vital signs change dramatically or show that they are in distress.  Depending on where you are working, the number of times per day that you take vital signs might vary.

It might be necessary to take vital signs every couple hours.  In other cases you might be instructed to take vital signs a couple times during your shift.  There might even be times when you will only be told to take vital signs at the beginning of your particular shift.

There are a few different signs that you will probably keep an eye on as a nursing assistant.  You are likely to take blood pressure readings.  You will need to note if the patient’s blood pressure is too high or even if it is too low.  You might also be asked to monitor a patient’s pulse rate.  In some settings, you might also check a patient’s respirations.

It is not uncommon to be instructed to take a patient’s temperature.  If you are working in a long-term care facility, you might not always be taking a temperature.  However, you are likely to be instructed to do so during times when a resident is ill.  If you are working in a hospital setting, you are likely to be instructed to take temperatures of your patients at least once during your shift.

There is another notation for the charts that you might be taught to watch throughout the day.  You might be asked to pay attention to a patient’s intake of food and liquids.  Any vital signs that you take should be noted in the chart as instructed by the employer.

When you are attending CNA training, you will learn how to take vital signs.  You will have some skills training before you even work with a patient.  This will allow you to practice taking vital signs.  You will probably take turns taking vital signs of other students.  Eventually, you will be able to take vital signs for patients.  This will be done during your hands on training for your nursing assistant training course.

By the time you take your CNA exam, you will know how to efficiently take vital signs.  It should not be difficult at all for you to demonstrate your ability to check any one of the main vital signs.  Once you pass your exam and start your career as a certified nursing assistant, you will petty well be an expert at taking vital signs.

Guest Post By Stephanie Jewett, RN, MBA

Good Evening readers.  By way of introduction, my name is Stephanie Jewett.  I have been a registered nurse for 30+ years in a host of fields and also hold a MBA from Regis University in Denver, Co.  I’m going to talk a little bit about how I got the idea to go into nursing school, some of the reasons I love nursing and other options for nurses that want to be out of the hospital setting.  In addition, I’d like to address why I think it is a good idea to obtain your CNA training and certification before you head off to nursing school.  I met Sandra via the Internet and observed her useful website – there is very good information here, so please frequent her site.  My site is somewhat different, in the fact that I share 30+ years of nursing experience and knowledge with nurses, students, caregivers, moms, patients and the general public.  Usually I address specific diseases and disorders, but often incorporate my nursing skills, administrative years and financial background in a variety of areas.  I just started blogging this year and welcome you to visit my site, Nursing Comments, at http://www.nursingcomments.com

When I was younger, I was extremely close to my grandparents; they lived just down the hill from where I grew up (Iowa).  I believe nursing was always in my ‘blood’, as I would help my grand folks as they started to age.  I noticed little things like limping carrying in the groceries, a dirtier house than normal, older food in the refrigerator, less than perfect hearing, hair turning grey, naps during the day, a surgery for a temporary colostomy, oxygen to breathe, falling on the ice, and the list goes on and on.  After attending college at Iowa State University for two years, I came back to my home town to start a nursing program.  It was a three-year diploma program at the main hospital where I lived, and I was sure I had found my niche.  The studies were rather intense at first, but it helped that I worked part-time as a nursing student on various floors to learn more about the actual clinical duties.

The reasons I love nursing are many.  First of all, I can’t think of a more rewarding career than nursing.  Not only do you help the patient, but most times you help the family as well.  Your skills need to be sharp, every case is different, rotating on different floors gives you an excellent education on just about every disease process, educating family and patients about specific diseases gives you reassurance in your abilities as a nurse, working with skilled professionals always sparks your interest to learn more and the specialty areas (surgery, emergency room, intensive care, etc.) keep you on your toes and insist that perfection is a part of your job.  It never gets boring, as there is something new to learn everyday!

Throughout my career, I have developed several skills, in the areas of management, floor nursing and entrepreneurship.  Today you have access to so many areas and options where nurses can be consultants, entrepreneurs, writers, bloggers, etc.  A few weeks ago I did a post on many job opportunities for nurses that did not want to be in the hospital setting.  I came up with forty-two different job options.  I have done many of these, as I raised two sons alone and desperately needed flexible schedules, salary increases and extra income.  So, I have written two books that I sold on the Internet, had my own transcription business, have been a legal nurse consultant, a home-health care nurse, medical billing and coding entrepreneur, a school nurse, a medical and legal chart reviewer, a nursing recruiter and an administrator for a surgery center.  These were all in addition to the many fields of nursing that I did in the hospital setting.

Finally, I want to stress the importance of knowing that you really do want a career in nursing.  When I started school, there were not nearly as many courses offered for certified nursing assistants.  Nursing is not for everyone and it is a marvelous stepping stone to get your CNA training and certification before you start nursing school.  Sandra makes this a simple process, has a lot of information regarding the exam itself, how to renew or transfer a CNA license, salary and pay scale data, interviewing tips, a list of Nurse Aide registries by state and other helpful tips on obtaining this very important license before you make the choice as to whether or not you want to become a nurse.

Getting The Right CNA Education

You will need some CNA education if you are planning for a career as a nursing assistant.  Your education will prepare you to take the necessary CNA certification exam.  The course will provide you with the training and education you need to work successfully as a nursing assistant.

There are a variety of course options available to you if you want to receive nursing assistant training.  You can look for courses that are offered at healthcare providers in your area (such as hospitals and nursing homes).  Check with the Red Cross in your area to see if one of your local chapters offers CNA training classes.  You can also contact local community colleges, allied health schools and other colleges to find a potential training course.

The length of courses will vary depending on where you take your class.  Some classes last only a few weeks but others will last a few months.  The length of time will also vary depending on whether you are enrolled in CNA education on full-time or on a part-time basis.  The basic portions of the curriculum will be the same no matter where you take your training.

Training will usually cost between $600 and $2000 depending on the location where you take your classes.  Many programs are less than $1000.  There are even some cases in which you can find free training or receive your training at no cost to you.  For example, you might be able to attend training if you are unemployed and can receive assistance for career training and job placement.

You will cover a lot of material during CNA education.  You will learn about certain health conditions and diseases.  Your training will help you to learn how to communicate well with your patients as well as your coworkers.  The course will teach you how to complete a variety of tasks such as:  repositioning patients, feeding patients, taking vital signs, helping a patient with toiletry and grooming a patient.  This is just a list of a few of the tasks you will learn.

During your training course to become a certified nursing assistant, you will have classroom lecture studies.  There will usually be some basic lab work as well.  In addition, you will have clinical/skills training in order to teach you how to work with patients directly.  In some training programs, you will train directly with patients.  In other cases you will use role playing and model patients for your skill training.

After you have gone through the entire length of a certified nursing assistant training, you will need to take an exam to complete your certification.  The test will have two sections which will include both a written and procedural test.  You will need to pass each part to be on your way to receiving a certification.

If you are looking to start a career as a CNA, you will need to find good education options for you.  Take your time to find the best course for your needs.

The CNA Certification Program

If you want to become a certified nursing assistant, you will need to complete a CNA certificate program.  A CNA certificate program will teach you the theory and procedures that you need to know to be a nursing assistant.  You will have hands on training teaching you how to safely take care of patients.  You might do role playing with other students and depending on the training class, will get the opportunity to work with real patients as well.

You must attend a CNA certification course that is approved by the Board of Nursing in your state.  Make certain that a course if fully accredited within your state and nationally before enrolling in the course.   Courses will be designed to meet the requirements for certification in your state.  They will prepare you not only for a career as a nursing assistant but for the certification exam you must take before working in the field.

The CNA certification exam will test both your skills and your knowledge in terms of working as a certified nursing assistant.  You will first be asked to complete the written portion of the test.  This part of the test will offer multiple choice questions.  Much of what you learned during your lectures and labs will be covered on this portion of the test.

You will then need to demonstrate several nursing assistant skills for the second half of your test.  Some testing programs will ask you to bring someone with you to act as your model patient.  You will be asked to perform about 5 different tasks.  You must complete all aspects of the task to ensure a passing grade.  For example, if you are asked to reposition a patient, you must remember to wash your hands, knock on the patient’s door and to tell your patient who you are and what you are going to be doing.

If you are receiving your CNA certificate training through a healthcare provider, you might be working with actual patients when taking your test.  You will probably have also completed much of your practicum in a live setting by assisting with patients in the facility where you are receiving training.

In order to become certified as a nursing assistant, you will need to receive a passing score on both portions of the test.  After passing the examination, you will become certified and can begin your career as a nursing assistant.  If you do not pass the test, you will need to find out how and when you can repeat the test.

You will be registered with the board of nursing in your state once you receive your nursing assistant certification.  This registration shows that you have all the credentials and have completed all the requirements to work as a nursing assistant.  There are generally continuing education credits that you will need to complete each year in order to maintain your certification.  You will also need to work a minimum number of hours throughout the year to keep your certification active.

CNA Training Classes

If you want to become a certified nursing assistant, you will need to take CNA training classes in order to prepare you for the certification exam.  There are a variety of basic skills you will learn in a CNA training class.  Many courses take up to six weeks to complete depending upon the number of hours you are in classes each day.

A CNA training course will include classroom studies, skills practice and of course some hands-on clinical experience.  In the classroom, you will start to learn about a career as a nursing assistant.  Skills practice will include role playing in which you take turns acting as the patient and also the CNA.  Role playing helps you to learn how to interact and communicate with patients.

During your skills training for a job as a nursing assistant, you will have some lab studies.  You will also perform other practice tasks.  For example, you might learn how to take vital signs by everyone in the class taking turns noting vital signs for the other students.  During the practicum portion of your CNA training classes you will learn how to take care of patients under your care.

Certified nursing assistant training will help you to learn what you need to know to become a nursing assistant.  You will learn how to communicate well with patients.  Your course will teach you how to maintain privacy for your patients.  The course will provide you with the knowledge you need to provide excellent care for your patients.

While attending training classes, you will learn how to help patients to walk from one location to another when they need assistance.  You will learn how to help a patient with their toiletry needs.  A training class will help you to learn the safe and proper way to move a patient in their bed to prevent bed sores and other injuries.  You will learn how to take vital signs and how to properly chart information on a patient.

You might feel that you are prepared to be a CNA after completing your classroom work and your skills training.  However, you will not really know how you will do as a nursing assistant until you get some hands on experience.  This is why it is important to take your practicum training very seriously.  This is your opportunity to learn directly how to care for patients.  You should not be afraid to ask questions and to ask for help while you are training.

It is important to attend all of your classes and every clinical session when completing the training classes.  You will need to study and work hard in order to complete your course with a good grade and with the knowledge that you need to start a career as a nursing assistant.

Your training will provide you with the skills and resources you need to take the CNA certification exam.  You cannot start to work as a certified nursing assistant until such time as you have passed the certification examination.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

CNA Training – Taking Vital Signs

When you are train to be a CNA, you will learn about taking vital signs.  This will be an important part of your day when you are working as a certified nursing assistant.  You will help to monitor a patient’s vital signs throughout your shift.

You will learn the procedure for taking vital signs when you are hired at a healthcare facility.  In most cases, you will be making notations of those signs in the patient’s chart.  You will be told what to do if a patient’s vital signs change dramatically or show that they are in distress.  Depending on where you are working, the number of times per day that you take vital signs might vary.

It might be necessary to take vital signs every couple hours.  In other cases you might be instructed to take vital signs a couple times during your shift.  There might even be times when you will only be told to take vital signs at the beginning of your particular shift.

There are a few different signs that you will probably keep an eye on as a nursing assistant.  You are likely to take blood pressure readings.  You will need to note if the patient’s blood pressure is too high or even if it is too low.  You might also be asked to monitor a patient’s pulse rate.  In some settings, you might also check a patient’s respirations.

It is not uncommon to be instructed to take a patient’s temperature.  If you are working in a long-term care facility, you might not always be taking a temperature.  However, you are likely to be instructed to do so during times when a resident is ill.  If you are working in a hospital setting, you are likely to be instructed to take temperatures of your patients at least once during your shift.

There is another notation for the charts that you might be taught to watch throughout the day.  You might be asked to pay attention to a patient’s intake of food and liquids.  Any vital signs that you take should be noted in the chart as instructed by the employer.

When you are attending CNA training, you will learn how to take vital signs.  You will have some skills training before you even work with a patient.  This will allow you to practice taking vital signs.  You will probably take turns taking vital signs of other students.  Eventually, you will be able to take vital signs for patients.  This will be done during your hands on training for your nursing assistant training course.

By the time you take your CNA exam, you will know how to efficiently take vital signs.  It should not be difficult at all for you to demonstrate your ability to check any one of the main vital signs.  Once you pass your exam and start your career as a certified nursing assistant, you will petty well be an expert at taking vital signs.

Guest Post By Stephanie Jewett, RN, MBA

Good Evening readers.  By way of introduction, my name is Stephanie Jewett.  I have been a registered nurse for 30+ years in a host of fields and also hold a MBA from Regis University in Denver, Co.  I’m going to talk a little bit about how I got the idea to go into nursing school, some of the reasons I love nursing and other options for nurses that want to be out of the hospital setting.  In addition, I’d like to address why I think it is a good idea to obtain your CNA training and certification before you head off to nursing school.  I met Sandra via the Internet and observed her useful website – there is very good information here, so please frequent her site.  My site is somewhat different, in the fact that I share 30+ years of nursing experience and knowledge with nurses, students, caregivers, moms, patients and the general public.  Usually I address specific diseases and disorders, but often incorporate my nursing skills, administrative years and financial background in a variety of areas.  I just started blogging this year and welcome you to visit my site, Nursing Comments, at http://www.nursingcomments.com

When I was younger, I was extremely close to my grandparents; they lived just down the hill from where I grew up (Iowa).  I believe nursing was always in my ‘blood’, as I would help my grand folks as they started to age.  I noticed little things like limping carrying in the groceries, a dirtier house than normal, older food in the refrigerator, less than perfect hearing, hair turning grey, naps during the day, a surgery for a temporary colostomy, oxygen to breathe, falling on the ice, and the list goes on and on.  After attending college at Iowa State University for two years, I came back to my home town to start a nursing program.  It was a three-year diploma program at the main hospital where I lived, and I was sure I had found my niche.  The studies were rather intense at first, but it helped that I worked part-time as a nursing student on various floors to learn more about the actual clinical duties.

The reasons I love nursing are many.  First of all, I can’t think of a more rewarding career than nursing.  Not only do you help the patient, but most times you help the family as well.  Your skills need to be sharp, every case is different, rotating on different floors gives you an excellent education on just about every disease process, educating family and patients about specific diseases gives you reassurance in your abilities as a nurse, working with skilled professionals always sparks your interest to learn more and the specialty areas (surgery, emergency room, intensive care, etc.) keep you on your toes and insist that perfection is a part of your job.  It never gets boring, as there is something new to learn everyday!

Throughout my career, I have developed several skills, in the areas of management, floor nursing and entrepreneurship.  Today you have access to so many areas and options where nurses can be consultants, entrepreneurs, writers, bloggers, etc.  A few weeks ago I did a post on many job opportunities for nurses that did not want to be in the hospital setting.  I came up with forty-two different job options.  I have done many of these, as I raised two sons alone and desperately needed flexible schedules, salary increases and extra income.  So, I have written two books that I sold on the Internet, had my own transcription business, have been a legal nurse consultant, a home-health care nurse, medical billing and coding entrepreneur, a school nurse, a medical and legal chart reviewer, a nursing recruiter and an administrator for a surgery center.  These were all in addition to the many fields of nursing that I did in the hospital setting.

Finally, I want to stress the importance of knowing that you really do want a career in nursing.  When I started school, there were not nearly as many courses offered for certified nursing assistants.  Nursing is not for everyone and it is a marvelous stepping stone to get your CNA training and certification before you start nursing school.  Sandra makes this a simple process, has a lot of information regarding the exam itself, how to renew or transfer a CNA license, salary and pay scale data, interviewing tips, a list of Nurse Aide registries by state and other helpful tips on obtaining this very important license before you make the choice as to whether or not you want to become a nurse.