The medical field is one of the fastest growing job markets. The demand for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is rising, and this would be a very good career choice for someone who is interested in medicine and also has a compassionate, caring nature. CNAs work with nurses to provide care to patients. Job responsibilities may include taking vital signs, collecting urine samples, bathing patients, and assisting patients in their everyday needs. Each state has their own certification requirements for CNAs, but no matter where you live you will need training before you can become certified.
There are many different CNA training programs available. As the need for CNAs has grown some hospitals and long-term care facilities have started to offer free CNA training courses. These courses typically last 2-6 weeks and will prepare you for the required state certification test. Some facilities will also pay the fee for you to take the test. In exchange for this free training you will be expected to work at the facility for a pre-determined amount of time.
You can also receive CNA training through the Red Cross, at a community college, or through an online nursing school. The training programs at these places have a tuition fee, usually between $300 and $600. CNA training trough a school or the Red Cross are usually more indepth than the free CNA training that hospitals or long-term care facilities provide. You can expect to spend up to 6 months in CNA training classes. The Red Cross and communitiy colleges provide training that consists of book work as well as hands on training.
Many people feel that the hands on training greatly helps when taking the state certification exam, as well as when they begin their employment as a CNA. Online nursing schools that offer CNA traing have the benefit of being flexible; you can often complete your training whenever you have time to study. A con to an online program is that they lack the hands on training. Some people that complete the online program may find the practical part of the state exam more difficult, and it may take them more time to be comfortable with the dady to day job expectations of a CNA when they begin their employment.
