Certified Nursing Assistants work under the direction of registered or licensed practical nurses, providing basic patient care services. Training and certification requirements vary by jurisdiction, but typically involve a combination of classroom and clinical experience. Continuing education is often required to maintain certification. Contacting local nurses’ associations can help individuals navigate the process.
Certified Nursing Assistants are healthcare professionals who work under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. While the scope of a certified nursing assistant’s role is not as broad as that of an RN or LPN, licensed practical nurses provide a wide range of basic patient care services. If you are interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant, the process will require some training in addition to meeting qualifications set by local jurisdictions.
While there are different titles for a certified nursing assistant in different countries around the world, there is always some form of formal training required prior to obtaining certification. Often, the candidate must have completed at least a basic amount of formal education. However, college experience is rarely required. Along with rudimentary education requirements, most jurisdictions also require an approved course of study related to the duties and responsibilities of a licensed practical nurse.
In the United States, individual states set the standards for approved training courses. Most training programs require at least seventy-five hours of classroom experience, along with sixteen to twenty hours of clinical training, under the supervision of an LPN or RN. Once the training program requirements are met, the nursing assistant candidate can begin the process of obtaining certification.
Before being hired as a certified nursing assistant, a candidate must complete the required certification process for the jurisdiction. This may involve a written exam alone or be combined with additional supervised training at a healthcare facility. In some countries, the exact process for certification depends on the environment in which the nursing assistant plans to apply for a job. For example, the assistant might follow one certification track to gain employment in a nursing home, while the assistant planning to make a career out of working in a hospital will follow a different track.
Even after certification, many jurisdictions require certified nursing assistants to complete a minimum number of hours of training annually. This additional training helps ensure that the certified nursing assistant remains well-versed in procedures and techniques that will make the highest level of efficient patient care possible. It is sometimes necessary to provide proof of this continuing education in order to renew certification.
To learn the specific combination of courses and requirements in effect in your area, contact your local nurses’ association. The association will be able to put you in touch with agencies that oversee formal training and can also help you register for the next scheduled set of classes. In many cases, these agencies can also help you set up the on-site clinical training you need to complete your training and help you apply for certification.
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