How To Become A CNA

In order to obtain a job as a CNA there are many steps you will need to take first. Although it may take some work you will soon find out that the work is not difficult and is easily accomplished. There are several requirements, steps, and hoops to get through to finally secure a job in the medical field as a nurses assistant and they will be laid out here.

In order to enter a CNA training program there are not many requirements but there are a few You do not need a high school education in most cases. However you will need to be able to read, write and speak English, perform simple math, and in some cases pass a TABE test which will tell the school if you can do both those things. In most CNA training courses you will be required to be 18 years old in order to enroll. There may be some exceptions that would provide CNA training to 16 years old but for the most part this is not the case. You will need to be able to lift heavy object and be in relatively good health as well. This will include a TB test in most cases as well. Once enrolled in the CNA training course, before you will receive training you will have to sign waivers and paperwork as well as pay (if you are not in a free course). You may also have to buy materials for the course which are not provided in the original cost.

Once you have been accepted in a CNA training course you will have some requirements to complete it. You will have a minimum of a 75 hour training to go through. Most CNA training programs however, take 9-12 months to complete. This CNA certification training must meet state and federal requirements. The CNA training will include patient rights, anatomy, nutrition, physiology, body mechanics, and disease control. You will learn and be taught through books, hands on lessons, and lecture. Therefore a CNA must be able to learn and retain information in all three ways.

After your training is complete you will have to pass an exam to actually be certified as a CNA. This includes an exam that evaluates your competency and knowledge of the topics and skills covered in your course. This will be an exam provided by the State Board of Nurses and the American Nurse Association Commission of Nurse Accreditation. There will be a written, oral, and practical part of the exam that you will need to pass. The practical will test the CNA’s ability to perform the duties that will be assigned to them in a real job situation. The test is given in English and Spanish and will have multiple choice as well as comprehension questions. Also a physical exam may be required to be passed in order to receive your certification. Lastly many states and/or program require drug testing and a criminal background check as well in order to obtain certification.

Once you are certified as a CNA you will be placed on the Nurses Aide Registry in your state. You will need to renew that certification every year. As soon as you are on the CNA registry in your state you can begin to apply for CNA positions. That is if you are not bound by a contract to work for the agency who trained you. This would only be in the case of receiving free training.

Nurses Aides see patients more and are the front runners in the medical professions. They therefore need to have a specific type of personality to remain and flourish in the field. Although these are not state requirements they are good to know so you don’t get into a job you would not do well in or hate. You should be good with people, especially sick people who can be difficult at times. You should be compassionate and caring. You will not want to be a CNA is you are squeamish especially around blood or bodily fluids. You will need to work well in groups or teams and receive direction well. Lastly you will want to have a passion for helping people get better. The medical field can be trying at times but also rewarding when you see people you have helped actually get better.