How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Any profession from the health care sector has to be rewarding, be it in terms of emotional satisfaction or financial remuneration. A certified nursing assistant is a position in the health care field which includes taking proper care of patients. Assistants that are certified to help nurses in their work are known as certified nursing assistants (CNA). They are responsible for carrying out various tasks that include helping disabled patients to take a bath or giving them a bath, dressing their wounds, grooming them, assisting in their daily personal needs, etc . They take utmost care of patients in general public and private hospitals, nursing facilities, and other health care centers. They carry out their responsibilities under the superintendence of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

 Some Prerequisites
Many people are always wondering how long does it take to become a CNA. It totally depends upon the prerequisites and the training period, which generally is around a month. The daily work which a certified nursing assistant would be carrying out is certainly tough as he has to deal with cleaning bedpans; and handling and managing disoriented, irritable, or uncooperative patients. He is also required to have forbearance, understanding ability, and good communication skills. He needs to be able to cooperatively work in a team. He has to be mentally fit, as he may have to go through disturbing situations and incidents while dealing with patients. Physical fitness is also needed as the work involves standing and walking for several hours. Before becoming a certified nursing assistant, he has to go through a criminal background check. In the USA, a prospective CNA it required to have good English reading, writing, and speaking skills as he has to communicate with patients.

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant?

One who is thinking of how to become a CNA should know that his role would be emotionally and physically demanding, and the remuneration he would receive would be very low at the start. An individual who has the willpower to serve people can easily gain entry to this profession.

In the USA, the requirements for becoming a CNA may differ from state to state. Some states may need a high school diploma and some may not. However , the government requires a CNA to undergo 75 hours of training, and 16 hours of monitored medical training. This training covers up topics such as healthy diet, controlling infection, how to communicate with all types of patients, and how to help patients to take a bath, eat, and dress neatly. Such training may be rendered by the employer himself; or by some high schools, community colleges, universities, and other institutions. The information on where to take the training may be available at the respective state agencies which are authorized to certify nursing assistants.

After completing the required training and successfully passing a proficiency exam, the certification will be decided after referring to the state law. You may be required to provide proof of the successful completion of the training. You may even contact the state nurse aide registry for other requirements, documents, and proofs that are needed for certification. If you have received a certification to work in a specific state, you are allowed to work only in that particular state. If you need to work in some other state, you will have to apply for reciprocity. Your respective state agency may give you detailed information about how to apply for the same.

The job prospects of CNAs are considerably good due to the services provided by them. A CNA's average annual salary ranges from $40, 000 to $50, 000. Becoming a certified nursing assistant is nothing to be worried of, as one can undergo the training and become a CNA in no time.