It can be a real challenge to find a job in today’s economic environment. A popular way of beginning a new career path is to find a field in which you can take classes online, and learn at your own pace. If this sounds like you, perhaps you might consider becoming a CNA.
You might not know exactly what CNA stands for – it is an acronym for Certified Nursing Assistant. This is a field where supply cannot keep up with demand. From small town to large city, CNAs can find work. If you move to a new state, the most you will be required to do is update your certificate.
Choosing to become a CNA has other advantages as well. This is a career, not merely a nine-to-five job. Many employers of CNAs offer medical and dental benefits and are very generous with their continuing education reimbursements.
You can also choose to use your CNA as a sort of stepping stone. There are many jobs that are in high demand that you will qualify for with continued training, including becoming an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or an RN (Registered Nurse).
But to get started, rest assured that there are many classes available for you to become a CNA. Some classes are fee-based, some are not – you can go to a school near you – and you can actually complete your training in a relatively short period of time. The best part is that your coursework can be done online.
The training class takes about 75 hours to complete. About one-third of this is guided practice giving personal care in actual health care facilities – the rest is done online or in a classroom. After you have completed your training, your instructor will give you a State Board of Nursing form to fill out.
There are actually five steps which lead to becoming a CNA. You will first undergo a personality assessment. If you are interested in helping people and are willing to sometimes perform repetitive tasks to do so, you are on the right track. You will also be asked if you are willing to take a leadership role in healthcare. As you may well know, patients see assistants and nurses much more often than they do doctors. It is up to this support staff to be friendly, accurate and helpful.
Your training includes some volunteer time in a hospital. Your volunteer duties will provide you with the full range of what you can expect as an employee at a healthcare facility. Your success at the volunteer work will provide a good indication that you have made a good choice of career path.
The fourth step is completing the CNA Training Program. You will learn about patient rights and responsibilities as well as standards of care. You will also be taught how to use basic medical equipment and how to perform daily care procedures.
Finally, you will take your state Exam for CNA certification, and the sky will be the limit!
Tags: becoming a CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant, cna, cna certification exam, CNA School Philadelphia, cna training program