Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is an excellent career choice. The readily available training provides a good stepping stone to higher levels of the nursing professions. In addition, many prospective students have realized that the need for nursing assistants is not about to wane any time soon. If anything, with many Americans set to turn fifty or even more in the next few years, that demand is surely set to increase. Before you set foot into this career, it is important to know what it entails and what will be required of you. This guide will help you know how to overcome one of the biggest hurdles, which is the NNAAP exam.

What is the NNAAP Exam?

If you are new to the nursing profession, you probably haven’t heard about the NNAAP exam. Many people are misconceived that as soon as you complete your training, you can be certified as a CNA. This is probably due to the fact that some health care institutions allow trained nursing assistants to work for some time before their exam. The National Nursing Aids Assessment Program exam, simply called the NNAAP exam, is the examination that prospective Certified Nursing Assistants have to sit before they can be accredited. This exam usually consists of a written and a clinical exam. But how can one pass this examination?

How to Pass the NNAAP Exam

You have probably worked very hard to come to this point. You do not want all those hours of classroom and clinic training to go to waste. Here are some tips that will help you pass the NNAAP examinations:

• Go through classroom notes: Before you read any other external material, it is very important to go through classroom notes. It is after you have internalized what you learned in class that you can understand what handouts and books try to put across. Attending class is often more gainful than personal reading, especially in professional courses.

• Have everything in order: The last thing you want is to start panicking during the examination day simply because you can’t locate your identity card. To ensure such small things do not stress you during the all important day, make sure you have all the physical needs for sitting the exam in place within good time.

• Go through past exam material: With the advancement made in Internet communication, getting the papers sat in past periods has never been easier. A look at what other students have done in previous exams always helps you know what to expect. You will also get to practice how to answer exam-style questions and know the areas you aren’t well prepared for.

• Concentrate on clinical training: When working as a nursing assistant, it is more about what you can do rather than what you know. This is why you need to take your clinical training very seriously. Examiners are always keen during the clinical paper to make sure you are familiar with basic routines and whether you can care for a patient.

• Be there on time: It is always safe to report to the exam center half an hour earlier. This is because not all centers will allow you to come in late. In addition, reporting early is a good way of beating anxiety.

• Wash your hands: One thing that many students forget is to wash their hands before handling the patient. Examiners are always keen to check whether you are up to the level of meticulousness that working as a CNA demands. Also remember to put on gloves whenever necessary. 

With these tips, you can never get it wrong in your NNAAP exam. 

Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, usually called a CNA, is one of the most fulfilling jobs. Very few careers can offer the level of satisfaction that helping those incapacitated by illness, injury or old age provides. Unfortunately, not many prospective students have the slightest idea of what the certification entails. It is surprising that many regard the training as too involving and prematurely write it off, choosing a different les fulfilling career. However, this guide is going to help you understand what it all takes before one can become a Certified Nursing Assistant. You will realize that contrary to common belief, it is one of the easiest careers to get into.

Are the Requirements Similar Across States?

One of the most commonly asked questions is whether the requirements for CNA certification are uniform across states. To begin with, the name at times varies from one state to another. In some parts, CNAs are known by names such as healthcare assistants, or nursing aides. In the same way, the requirements will vary slightly depending on which state you wish to practice in. However, most of the requirements are more or less uniform. For instance, if you are going to work in a healthcare facility in any state, you must provide a background criminal check as well as drug test. If a state requires CAN registration it is usually a simple process to transfer your licence.

Training is Mandatory

Regardless of the state you live in, you have no choice but undertake training. No one is going to leave the life of a patient in your hands when you haven’t undertaken any form of training on even the basic matters of health. There are two options available as regards training in the United States. Firstly, you can take advantage of the many healthcare facilities that offer free CNA training. The majority of such institutions are usually nursing homes. The classes, which target those with no prior health care training, can run from about two to six weeks, full-time learning. Such institutions often pay for the state tests you will undertake, but this is not guaranteed.

In exchange for this type of training, you will be required to work at the facility for a predefined amount of time.

But what happens if you desire the independence to work where you please? This is where the second option comes in; applying for CNA training at a community college. Generally, the classes here are longer and may last for up to 6 months. At the moment, the training offered will cost you any amount between $300 and $600. In exchange, you get to enjoy more extensive training that gives you more confidence for the state exams as well as the job itself.

The CNA Exam

The purpose of the training is not just to impact basic nursing skills but also to prepare you for the state examinations. Your trainer will always provide information regarding the exact timing and place of your CNA exam. Across the majority of the states, the exam is usually composed of two equally important parts. These are:

• Written exam
• Clinical exam

It is worth noting that some centers will allow you to work for even four months after your training without having sat the exams. However, the earlier you take your state examinations, the better.

The written exam is usually based on the very basic nursing skills you have been taught. It will be very important to go through your class notes and handouts before tackling the paper. The clinical exam is more challenging as you are likely to get nervous. Remember that the examiners will be keen on your ability to give care. You have to show a degree of meticulousness by always wearing gloves before contact and washing every item before use, among other practices. Provided you score above the pass-mark, you will be certified as a CNA by your state. 

There is a growth in the number of institutions providing personalized healthcare to patients in the United States. This is to cater for the ageing population. Over 50s are not only more likely to get sick but also in need of compassion. This is why many Certified Nursing Assistants will be required in the coming years. If you are looking for a flexible career that offers accessible training and opportunities for growth, this is a good choice to make. As a CNA, your main job will be to take care of patients who have been incapacitated by chronic illnesses, old age and disability. So what are the steps involved in becoming a CNA?

1.     Go For Training

The prerequisites to being certified as a CNA differ slightly from state to state. However, all across the United States of America, the first step to being certified is to undertake training. There are two choices you have as regards the training. The first option will be to apply for free training from the nursing homes and other institutions. You will then undertake full-time training in nursing skills for a period not exceeding six weeks. In return, these institutions will require that you work for them for a specified period of time.

The other option you have is to enroll for training in a community college. Here, you will be required to pay any amount from $300 to $400 for the training. However, you are assured value for every dollar paid as the training is more vigorous. The training period is just about 6 months in many states. This longer period prepares you better for the state CNA exam as well as the actual profession. In the United States, some non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross Society also train nursing assistants.

2.     Take the Written Exam

The training offered to prospective nursing assistants is to prepare them for the demanding nature of the job. However, the training is also essential in helping you tackle the CNA exam offered by your state. The first part of the exam is the written paper. Here you will tested theoretically on the basic nursing practices you have learnt. You will have to revise your classroom notes as well as handouts to effectively sit the exam. The catch here is simply being able to score above the pass-mark.

3.     Take the Clinical Exam

The CNA examination does not just end with the theory paper. This is because as a nursing assistant, your job is going to involve a lot of practical work. This is exactly why your training involved several hours of clinical work. The practical exam will test you on the nursing routines you have learnt. It tests simple routines such as moving your patient, sterilizing and washing every piece of equipment used and wearing your gloves when necessary. The examiners will also be keen to evaluate your ability to show love and care to the patient.

4.     Apply for Certification

It doesn’t take a long time for the results to be published. If you have satisfied your examiners in both papers, the final step is to apply for certification from the state. Before you do this, make sure you undertake a background criminal check as well as a drug test. These requirements have been made mandatory in every state, especially for nursing assistants who intend to work in healthcare centers. Once these concerns have been addressed, you will soon be certified as a CNA. The good news is that your state certification will enable you to work in majority of American states. 

With majority of the US population crossing the half decade mark in the next few years, there will be plenty of people in need of close medical attention. This only means more opportunities for people to become members of the healthcare team who offer the most personalized care for patients. The starting point is the Certified Nursing Assistant. The good thing about this career, apart from the good remuneration and flexible working hours, is the fact that there are many opportunities for growth. However, it is extremely shortsighted to walk into any career without knowing what your job is likely to involve.

Where does a CNA Work?

One of the important questions about becoming a CNA is where you will be carrying out your duties. For a long time, the duties of a nursing assistant have been confined to health centers such as hospitals and nursing homes. Nowadays, there are more opportunities for CNAs as regards working environments. Many families with elderly people are hiring the services of nursing assistants as a precautionary health measure. This means that you can choose to work directly from your patients’ homes. In addition, you can also work with private organizations that help the disabled.

Your Job Description as a CNA

You have now familiarized yourself with the different settings where you can work as a CNA. The next step is to learn exactly what you will be doing at these centers. Below is the job description of a Certified Nursing Assistant:

• ü  Personal care: perhaps the most important duty for any nursing assistant is to provide personal care to patients. These are patients who are unable to care for themselves, either due to injury, chronic illnesses or simply old age. Under this job, you will be called upon to help the patients feed, clean themselves and even dress. This work will call for a lot of compassion on the part of the nursing assistant.

• ü  Documentation of records: Every time a patient is admitted into a health facility, there are plenty of records that need to be kept. These include the registration, personal details as well as the medication and treatment therapies the patient is going to undergo. As a CNA, you have to ensure all these records have been recorded, however inconsequential they might seem.

• ü  Monitoring patients’ progress: Of all the healthcare professionals there are, nobody spends more time with the patient than a nursing assistant. You are in the best position to notice any slight changes in the patient’s physical conditions as well as behavior. You will therefore have to monitor and document all the signs and symptoms as well as their responsiveness to medication.

• ü  Transporting patients: In a healthcare facility, different departments can’t all be at the same location. But how does a crippled patient make it from the ward bed to the x-ray room for instance? This is where the services of a CNA will come in. You will be called upon to help patients move around the facility for treatment as well as relaxation.

• ü  Communication link: Lastly, the nursing assistant also serves as a channel through which the family of the patient can communicate their concerns to the rest of the medical team.

Once you start working as a CNA, these are the min duties that you will be required to perform. Other minor duties will very much depend on the registered nurse under whom you will be working, as well as the needs of your patient. 

The advent of Internet connectivity has changed how we go about our day to day business. Practically all sectors have been affected, and even education has not been spared. In the United States for instance, there are plenty of online schools that offer their programs to students at any part of the globe. The Certified Nursing Assistant profession is one that has fully embraced online training. With this form of training, students do not have to physically report to their training centers as with traditional classroom education. Instead, all the learning and examination is done over the Internet. But how effective is this form of learning?

Why Students are Embracing Online Training

Before you read an evaluation of how effective learning over the internet has been, it is important to find out why more and more students are enrolling for online CNA training. To begin with, online training takes convenience to the next level, especially on the part of the student. As opposed to classroom learning which is characterized by rigid time-tables, online classes can be scheduled to times that suit the student. In addition, the student will be able to save significantly on transport, food as well as accommodation expenses. Finally, online training programs often take a shorter time than offline programs. But how wise is it to enroll for online CNA training?

Is Online Training Effective for CNA?

The introduction of online training was met with a lot of doubt from the conservative section of professionals, and very deservedly so. The thought of replacing the physical contact with trainers and their students with one that is over the Internet didn’t auger well with many. However, over the years, online training has shown that it can produce a good crop of professionals in many sectors, nursing included. It can therefore be said with confidence that online training for Certified Nursing Assistants has been more than effective. Some of the factors that have contributed to this success are discussed below.

• Trained Online Instructors

Teaching students over the Internet is a whole new experience for many instructors. To make sure the process is successful; many online schools have trained their staff on how to offer effective online lectures. These instructors are always available for private consultation whenever need arises. Students are free to schedule consultation hours with their lecturers whenever the need arises.

• Rich Online Facilities

To begin with, a lot of facilities have been invested in making online CNA training a success. The majority of online schools provide students with online portals that help them register for courses and course units from the comfort of their homes. In addition, these schools provide a lot of academic as well as professional material on their websites that is always available for download.

• Advanced Communication Technology

The biggest concern with online CNA training was whether the personal contact characteristic of traditional classes would be replicated over the internet. In reality, this is not remotely possible. However, online CNA schools have leveraged the best communication technology to replicate the classroom scenario over the web. Even the practical lessons can be simulated using live video streaming.

The Verdict

It is clear that many online schools have gone the extra mile to make online classes as effective as possible. Unfortunately, a number of schools are opening online programs simply to meet the increased need for training. The success of your online classes will therefore depend on which school you enroll in. Before registering for a program, make sure the online school has received credible accreditation from the relevant authorities. In addition, ensure the school has proper online learning facilities and has been training respected nursing assistants for quite some time. 

The US has a growing need of Certified Nursing Assistant to support the provision of excellent healthcare services in what is an ageing population with ever demanding needs. Many people keen on giving their contribution to the noble cause of medical care have taken up this line of training. Many have been encouraged by the highly accessible training facilities and the ability to constantly improve on their skills. But just how wise is it to take up a career when you have no idea what will be required of you? Many nursing assistants who are new to the job often get caught unaware by the demands of this career. To ensure you aren’t among these, this script will help you understand the duties of a nursing assistant.

• Personal Care for Patients

The most common duty of a Certified Nursing Assistant is to provide personal care to patients who cannot take care of themselves. In many cases, these are patients who are suffering from chronic illnesses. However, this form of care is these days extended to the senior citizens in society as a precautionary measure. Personal care can also be offered to people born with disability or those disabled through injury. The care given includes bathing, toileting, dressing and general grooming. Unlike a few years back, this care is not confined to hospitals as it can also be offered from home.

• Transporting Patients

One of the most common tasks in hospitals is moving patients from one place to another. Due to old age, disability and many other health conditions, some patients cannot take themselves from point A to B. As a nursing assistant, this is exactly where the movement methods you learned in training will be put to use. You will many times be required to help a patient make their way to the washrooms, theatre, x-ray room or even to their car as they are being discharged.

• Documenting Patient Records

You have probably heard a number of times that a Certified Nursing Assistant must possess above-average literary skills. This is because the actual job is going to demand a lot of reading and writing. You will be required by the supervising registered nurse or doctor to constantly document most of the patient’s medical records. In addition, since you spend the most time next to the patient, it is your responsibility to monitor and record vital signs or even changes in the appearance of the patient.

• Patient Advocacy

It is very easy to assume that the purpose of a CNA does not go beyond providing personal care for a patient. However, the relationship between a nursing assistant and their patient extends beyond these routines and tracking of medical records. You can also serve as an advocate of your patient and their family. In this respect, your duty will be to relay any concerns they may have to the rest of the health care team. Many times, nursing assistants have managed to, among other favors, vouch for mitigation of medical fees for their patients.

• Monitoring the Conditions of a Patient

Monitoring the conditions of a patient is perhaps one of the most challenging duties of a nursing assistant. The majority of the other duties only test the physical capabilities of the CNA. However, when it comes to monitoring conditions of a patient, more brain work is demanded. You will have to be sharp at all times so as to notice any variations on vital signs and symptoms. This job demands a lot of accuracy since it forms the basis on which doctors assess the patient’s progress. 

The US population is aging – mainly thanks to the 60s Baby Boom. Consequently, the demand for personalized healthcare has been on the rise. In addition, more and more Americans are becoming more concerned about their health and thus seek medical attention. If you have always harbored an interest in nursing, there can’t be a better time to get into the profession. With many nursing Institutions being set up across all states, you can no longer claim that training for nurses is not readily available near you.

Why Enroll with the Best Schools?

It is very true that many schools are being established in the United States to train nurses. In fact, nearly all these schools now have online programs to train you from the comfort of your home. However, enrolling with your most convenient school or one whose name impresses you can be very dangerous. The quality of training being offered has been compromised in many training centers. Remember that quality training is very essential in dealing with the many challenges of the CNA or nursing profession. In addition, many employers will only employ nurses who have been trained in a school that is fully accredited.

The Five Best Schools

The United States is endowed with countless top quality CNA and nursing schools. However, it is impossible to list all of them on paper. This is why this guide has selected the very best five. These are:

• University of California, San Francisco, CA: When you talk about nursing in the United States, one of the first institutions to come to mind is the University of California. The School of Nursing at UCSF which is committed to making use of its educational, clinical and research expertise to give the best training to prospective nurses in the United States.

• University of Washington, Seattle, WA: The University of Washington is renowned in the U.S. for among other professionals, its skilled crop of nurses. Started in 1861, it is one of the oldest tertiary institutions in Seattle. The institution was first ranked top of the country in nursing in 1984, and has since stayed at the top.

• John Hopkins University, Baltimore MD: Another highly ranked nursing school in the United States is none other but John Hopkins University. Its connection to the John Hopkins Hospital will be very instrumental, especially when it comes to practical work. It is not by chance that the graduate programs here have been ranked the best in the country, on more than one occasion.

• University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA: If you are looking for a world class nursing training facility, look no further than the University of Pennsylvania. In this school, education, clinical work and research are combined to give you the kind of training that will set you apart from your peers.

• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI: The U-M School of Nursing is committed to creating that rich scholarly community that will not only support the advancement of the nursing field but also improve the community as a whole. With the state of the art educational and research facilities, coupled with highly experienced trainers, you can bet on becoming the best you can be.

At any of these world class schools, you can be sure to get the best possible training in the nursing career. Their long years of experience in the field will come in handy in impacting the principles that will help you through your job. In addition, their large number of alumni is important in giving you a safe landing in the American job market. 

The Certified Nursing Assistant career is becoming one of the most popular Medicare professions, both within and out of the United States. This can be credited to the fact that the career offers very flexible and affordable training as well as countless opportunities for advancement. In addition, the aging population of the country only means more job opportunities in this field. However, like any other career, working as a nursing assistant is not all smooth and rosy. There are many challenges that one will face in their job. One of them is the extremely high probability of suffering a burnout.

What is Burnout?

Before you learn how to avoid suffering burnout, you need to first appreciate what it is. Have you ever felt in your life all of a sudden your job has taken over your entire life? Burnout refers to a condition whereby one becomes so overwhelmed with their job routine that they neglect other aspects of their life such as family. It can be a very dangerous situation as it piles a lot of pressure on the mind, and often injures the relationship with the people closest to you. It has become increasingly prevalent in nursing assistants. But is there anything that can be done about it?

How to Avoid Burnout as a CNA

Forget the many articles you have read, burnout is not in any way inevitable. There is a lot you can do to ensure your life doesn’t start revolving about your duty to your patient.

Here are some of the things you can do to prevent burnout:

• Invest in your own health: The stress that comes with too much work often takes a toll on the body. To ensure you don’t suddenly become underweight, make sure that you take a balanced diet every day. Balance long shifts at the health care center with a good siesta in the afternoon, lest you don’t mind spending all your salaries on medication.

• Identify where things could go wrong: A small mistake like giving your patient the wrong medicine can really work up a Certified Nursing Assistant. To avoid undue worry devise working systems to ensure you are organized, thereby reducing the risk of error. Planning and being organized reduces confusion and worry.

• Talk to your boss about shifts: If you are not comfortable with your working hours, make sure your boss is aware. If someone outs you on a twelve hour shift and you do not say a word, they are likely to extend it to fifteen in the next month.

• Become a team player: One of the reasons a number of nursing assistants suffer burnout is that they try to do everything on their own. When you make yourself your patients’ superhero, you are likely to condemn yourself whenever things go wrong. Involving your workmates will reduce chances of things going wrong in the first place.

• Understand your body clock: As a CNA, you have to learn what times your body is most alert. Ensure that as much as possible, your most involving tasks are scheduled for when your body functions best.

• Protect yourself with a social cushion: However demanding your job or boss can be, you will always find solace in your social circle. It can be very frustrating to come home worked up and there’s is no spouse or friend to share those frustrations with. The charm of your kids can help you forget the troubles of that particular workday or your friends can provide the laughter you need as a tonic.

Burnout not only puts your health at risk but also compromises the quality of service your patients get. The above guidelines should help any CNA put everything under control. 

For those with a passion for the medical career, choosing one specific field of specialization is never easy. The often high academic requirements, especially in the United States, have scared students from even applying for the courses. In addition, the tuition fees demanded are not affordable to a big section of the population. However, with certifications such as the CNA, a career in the health service is made a great deal more accessible. Not only is becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant flexible and affordable, but it also provides you with a stepping stone to other medical careers such as nursing. But what exactly does becoming a CNA demand?

What 10 Skills do I Need?

A Certified Nursing Assistant, commonly known as a CNA, is a health professional who extends personal care to patients who are unable to cater for their own needs. The disability could be as a result of old age, injury or any chronic disease. The career has become very popular due to the fact that it offers flexible training, good remuneration and many opportunities for advancement. However, if you enter the career without the necessary qualities, things can get extremely frustrating. Here are the top 10 skills required to become a CNA:

1. Fitness: Physically, the CNA career can be very demanding. You will often be required to stretch, bend or even lift your patient. How are you going to do this if you can barely support your own weight?

1. Compassion: As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you have to be a loving and caring person. This is because you will be dealing with your patients on an extremely personal level, from cleaning to feeding and at times toileting.

1. Pro-activity: A good CNA is not someone who waits for things to happen before reacting. You should be able to monitor your patient and know in advance when their condition is about to deteriorate so as to call their personal doctor.

4. Literacy: There is a lot of reading and writing in the CNA career. This is because you will have to monitor and record a lot of details about your patient. You will need above average literacy skills to document patient intake and output.

5. Unprejudiced: In your work, you are going to care for people from different backgrounds, races as well as cultures. If you have prejudices against any of these, it can interfere with how you handle the patient in question.

6. Personality: In simple terms, a CNA has to be someone who is easy to like. It is impossible to take care of someone who hardly likes or even trusts you so you should try to be as pleasant as possible.

7. Good in practical work: You will need to be prepared to do menial tasks as well as the rewarding ones.

8. Efficiency: Just like the nursing career or any other medical career, your work is a matter of life and death. You will therefore need to be very efficient in responding to the need of your patients.

9. Meticulousness: As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you have to be very particular and systematic about your work. Since the life of your patient is almost in your hands, you do not want to get any tiny detail wrong.

10. Reliability: Many times, the doctor will have to leave a lot of things in your hands. You therefore need to be someone who can be relied upon. Missing duty could make your patient miss their medication.

It is true that you can’t have all the above traits. However, you have to be very willing to learn in this career so as to improve on any weaknesses. 

The choice of career is one of the most important decisions anyone can ever make. Unlike your job, a career is something you will have to practice for a very long part of your life, if not your entire life. Unfortunately, choosing a career is something that can be very confusing, especially if you are quite young. Many have chosen careers only to realize quite late that it is hardly what your heart beats for. You do not want to find yourself in such a situation, as things can be very frustrating. If you have an interest in the medical world, there are many reasons you should consider working as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?

Before you rush to the reasons that make this a great career, it is important that you appreciate what it’s all about in the first place. In the United States, a Certified Nursing Assistant, simply referred to as a CNA, is a healthcare professional who works in a hospital or nursing home. The most common task of a CNA is to cater for the needs of the chronically sick, disabled, elderly or help in the rehabilitation of patients who can hardly take care of themselves. Now that you have an understanding of what it’s all about, you can take a look at the 10 reasons why being a Certified Nursing Assistant is a great career.

Why Become a CNA?

There are many careers one can choose to pursue, especially in the extremely diverse United States of America. However, below are the 10 reasons why being a Certified Nursing Assistant is a great career:

1. It’s a noble career: Being a CNA is pursuing a caring career with the satisfaction of saving life and giving hope to the hopeless.

2. Free training: Currently, there are many hospitals and healthcare centers in the United States that offer free training for prospective nurses. In exchange, you have to promise a certain period of working, which only secures you a job in advance.

3. Advancement opportunities: In many careers, it’s all about work after employment. However, the CNA career will open plenty of doors for you to improve your skills in the nursing field.

4. Growing demand: With the majority of the population being over fifty years, there will be plenty of elderly people who will need close medical attention from CNAs in the next few years.

5. Improved remuneration: On average, a Certified Nursing Assistant takes home a generous $ 20,000 to $ 30,000 every year. Compared to the cost and period of training, this is one of the best rewarding careers you can find.

6. Flexible training: The CNA career provides a very flexible training schedule that will hardly interfere with your current plans. With online training on the increase, it hardly gets more convenient than this.

7. Additional benefits: Apart from good salaries, many organizations offer medical, educational and retirement benefits to CNAs.

8. Job portability: In many careers, shifting from state to state calls for many re-evaluations and new certifications. However, the CNA career provides enviable portability across many states in the country.

9. Job options: Contrary to common belief, a CNA is not just confined to a hospital. You can work in homes or with private organizations that extend care to the needy.

10. A nursing preview: If you are interested in pursuing the nursing career to the highest level, starting as a CNA can be a great stepping stone.

With these and many other benefits, the CNA career is always a worthy choice.