How to Take Your CNA Training Online ~ Certified Nursing Assistant Guide

By Lanee’ Blunt

If you are interested in taking your CNA training online you may be wondering how it works. It doesn’t take long to become a nurse’s aide and if you are already working a full-time job this can be a very convenient way to earn your certificate. There are no prerequisite classes to take before you earn a nursing certificate, so you can take an online class and it will prepare you for the state examination.

By taking your certification online you can put yourself in demand for a successful career as a nursing assistant. Taking classes on the internet is an option to consider because it gives you flexibility while you become a CNA. You don’t have to attend a college every day and you can study at your own pace. Certified nursing assistants work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or the nursing staff.

Course Prerequisite

There are not a lot of prerequisites, but there are some requirements that you must meet before admission. You must have a high school diploma or GED. Pass a national online background check. Pass a skills assessment test. Immunizations negative TB skin test. Social security card and state ID card. You will need to know how to efficiently work on a computer and have access to the use of a computer. You must have an internet connection that is fast enough for you to download course materials.

Online License Requirements

Most online programs and on campus program requirements are the same, but web programs has additional requirements such as, basic keyboarding skills. You must have a word processing program installed on your computer, for example Microsoft Word or Open Office so that you can save your work in RTF (Rich Text Format). This is the file format that you will use to download your course work to most school. You must have an internet connection with a web browser, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Internet Explorer. Your computer must be equipped to allow streaming media and PDF files.

You will not be able to take the whole thing online because of the clinical portion that you will be required to take which will be in a nursing home or volunteer work at a local hospital. There are some schools that help you find an externship, but some require that you set up an arrangement with a nursing home or hospital on your own. Clinical experience will be gained by working under a certified nurse assistant or registered nurse and helping them with their duties.

Online Program Description

The program will cover a lot of material including medical terminology, patient hygiene, nursing theory and care-giving skills consistent with the state for nursing. It will cover introduction to healthcare, nursing arts I, II, III, nursing aide medical courses, convalescent care, health professional assistant class, home health aide course, and acute care nurse assistant courses. The course will cover several health-care environments and when you complete it you will be eligible to work in long term care facilities, hospitals, and home care. These courses may vary from state to state and for different schools however, by the end of the course your should know how to provide care to the chronically ill, collect vital signs, as well as the proper way to lift patients.

Course Information

Computer work for each week is assigned and students must complete each assignment by the deadline. The computer portion of the course is usually the lecture and theory section. You will work on your own time, be given tests and assignments over the internet.

In some community colleges lectures and video presentations are online for the students so they can learn the procedures and techniques to become a CNA. There will also be a clinical portion to be taken on-campus that gives you, experience, combined with your web courses.

You can discuss coursework in the schools forums at your convenience with other students.

The Cost of an Online Nursing Assistant Program

The tuition is in the range of $200.00 to $2,500.00 depending on the institution, and most of them offer flexible payment systems. The average cost of the program is $790.00 which includes online and the clinical lab course.

Where to Find an Accredited Internet Course

Look for this course in community colleges and vocational schools locally. If you find a program that you are interested in but not sure if they have accreditation you can contact your state registry of nurses’ aides, state nursing board or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNA) to find if they approve of it before registering.

Time to Complete

Complete a CNA training online program at a community college, an online program or a medical facility
The course is very fast paced, and it will prepare you to go out into the workforce in just four or five weeks in some schools.
To be qualified to take the state exam you need to have your high school diploma or GED

After successfully completing the program you will be eligible to take the state certification exam

Certified Nursing Assistant Guide

Oct 29, 2014