By
Lanee’ Blunt
If
you are unable to afford the tuition there are nursing homes that provide it
for free. Some have a shortage of qualified nurse assistants, so they offer
courses. However, most don’t, but when they do you must agree to work for them
for an agreed upon time after you receive your certificate. CNA training can be
completed in a short period of time.
Admission Requirement
Submit
an application, and complete the interview process. You must have a high school
diploma or a GED. Some requirements include age 18 or older immunization up to
date and have a criminal background check, and pass a drug test.
Where to Look
A
good place to start is locally; try facilities in your area. Visit or call them
and inquire. Ask for a recommendation.
Unemployment Agency
Contact
your state’s employment office. Your state has information for individuals that
were laid off and for people that want to retrain for other careers. Applicants
receive tuition, help with resume writing, and referrals to facilities offering
positions.
Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)
Contact
the Quality Improvement Organization. They make sure that each facility in
their state meets health care quality. Ask for the manager or a senior leader
and ask if they know which facilities are providing free courses. You can find
the QIO through Medicaid or Medicare offices.
State Board of Nursing
Contact
the state board. Ask if they can send you a list. They may also have lists of
schools that provide education in your area.
Nursing Home Training
The
instruction offered from the facility must consist of a curriculum that will
prepare you to take the state exam. Areas of study will include communication
and interpersonal skills, infection control medical skills, such as how to
report elder abuse. You will learn how to take and record a patient’s weight
and height, and vital signs according to federal regulations. You will learn
how to handle emergency situations, clinical courses, and convalescent care.
Usually
applicants are accepted before the class starts. The class is 5 to 7 weeks
including classroom lectures and course work; you receive facility orientation
and hands-on instruction. After the third week, students will receive
supervised clinical rotation which gives you the opportunity to do what you've
learned in class. The final weeks the student works with the department
receiving on the job training. If you are unable to complete it or complete the
state mandated exam you will have to reimburse them for their expenses.
Salary
According
to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of nursing aides,
orderlies, and attendants is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020,
faster than the average for all occupations.” According to Payscale.com the hourly rate of is from $7.84 to $16.22 an hour depending on the years of
experience, and working at a nursing home can expect to earn from $8.53 to
$13.50.
Duties
Their
responsibilities include working closely with patients. Provide basic care by
cleaning and bathing patients or residents. They help patients by serving
meals, helping them to eat, making their bed, help patients dress and use the
toilet. Take blood pressure, temperature and vital signs. Reposition, turn, and
transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs. Work under supervision of
nurses and LPN’s and report health concerns to nurses.
They
have job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the
growing population of the elderly they will need a lot of certified nursing
aides to fill positions in long-term care facilities. An advantage is that you
will have a job when you become certified.
Other Options
However,
if you are unable to find free training; classes are available at: community
colleges vocational schools, online, and health care facilities. Courses can
cost from $200 to $2000.
See also
Reference:
Payscale:
Certified Nurse Assistant Salaries- CNA Jobs and Salaries
U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
Quality
Net: QIO Listings
US
Department of Health & Human Services: HHS
