Meeting The Requirements for CNA Certification
CNA
certification requirements are the standards that must be met to become a nursing
assistant. CNA’s are professionals who assist patients with the activities of every day life,
including eating, dressing and walking, checking for bedsores and helping with toilet needs and
bathing. CNA’s can work in a hospital, nursing home or private home
setting. The requirements for becoming a CNA can vary from state to
state.
In most cases, an individual must complete a minimum of
75 hours of state approved training to meet federal requirements. CNA training can be accomplished through a medical facility, Community College or
your local Red Cross chapter. The first step in earning the
CNA certification is locating a program in your area and taking the necessary
classes.
After you have completed the necessary amount of
classroom instruction, most states will require that you take a competency exam. If your prospective
employer receives compensation from Medicare then there will also be federal standards that you will have to
meet for certification. Once you have completed the CNA certification requirements you can
be put on your state registry of nurses and aides.
CNA certification training includes
instruction in various areas which are necessary for the job. This includes anatomy
and physiology and nutrition to give you a better understanding of how the body works and what it requires in
terms of proper nutrition. Courses on body
mechanics and infection control can help to further acclimate you to proper biological signs and how to
protect yourself and your patient from illness.
A very important part of training is learning about
client rights. As a CNA you will be working very closely with your patients and it is crucial that
you understand their personal needs, security, and the best methods for maintaining their dignity at all
times. Being a CNA is about much more than just meeting CNA certification
requirements, it is about ensuring the patient’s sense of security as well as helping to maintain their
health.
Along with completing state and federally mandate
training and passing the required exams, earning a CNA certification also requires you
to have a physical exam yourself. Since a common part of
the CNA’s job is lifting patients in and out of beds, tubs or wheelchairs, there is a certain amount of
physical fitness that is necessary. It is also important to
determine that you don’t suffer from any communicable diseases.
In general, it is not very difficult to earn
the CNA certification, but education and physical fitness are really only a small
fraction of the job requirements. The biggest asset for
any prospective CNA is the proper attitude. In order to be
successful, you must go into the job ready to provide service and accept anything that comes your way in the
process. This can be far more critical than meeting the CNA certification
requirements.
It is not easy, but
if done correctly being a CNA can be so much more than just a job. The
ability to help those in need and offer the most basic of service in what can sometimes be the most stressful of
circumstances is truly a calling. If you have the patience, compassion
and care to take on this work, you can reap rewards well beyond any paycheck. Consider earning your CNA certification
today. You won’t regret it.
With a Certified
Nursing Assistant Certification, what type of CNA Wages can you
expect?
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