How Long Does It Take To Become A CNA?

For students who have chosen to follow the career path of Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA; they will need to attend state approved classes in order to fulfill their educational and training requirements. Only when these prospective students have taken in the information and have fulfilled their training obligations through a certified program can they go on to find employment as a CNA. 

One of the first questions students should ask is how long does it take to become a CNA? Once they do this, they have a realistic time frame within which they can work toward achieving their goals when they would like to.

The duration of time it takes to achieve certification as a nursing assistant may vary, depending on many factors. Some variables that may determine the time it takes to become a CNA include factors such as what type of facility the student is taking courses. Some facilities may offer accelerated courses that last a few weeks to fulfill the standard state approved requirements. 

Some of these facilities may include local chapters of the American Red Cross or a nursing home whereas students may find a longer and more in-depth program at a local community college or technical school. The information and training that students receive will be the same but the time frame in which they go through the program will vary.

Another step that students need to take in order to become a CNA is in taking the nurse aide competency test as soon as possible once finishing the CNA program. Once the CNA candidate has passed the certification test, they will automatically become certified and receive their certificate within two weeks to a month so they can begin their search for a job as a CNA. 

The next step involves taking the certification and finding the right facility in which to work and feel most comfortable. Candidates should consider what atmosphere works best with their own personality.

What Does A CNA Do?

When students and prospective students are exploring careers in the medical field, it is important to look at all of the possible professions to understand what is best for them. 

For each profession in the field, it is important to understand precisely what each profession entails. In order to help in making the selecting to pursue a career as a CNA, or certified nursing assistant, it is important to ask the question, what does a CNA do?

One of the first answers to the question of what does a CNA do would be that the certified nursing assistant is readily available to assist the nurse or nurses on staff. A CNA acts to alleviate daily pressures of licensed professional and registered nurses with full to overflowing schedules and patient lists. Whether working in a hospital or an assisted living facility, the role of a CNA is vital to keeping the work flow of the nursing staff on schedule, efficient and in ensuring that patients' needs are quickly and thoroughly attended to.

Each time the CNA begins a work shift, the first and foremost task on their list is to review the reports on patients that nurses and CNAs have provided from the previous shift. With this, the CNA understands the status of each patient under their care. A further and more thorough answer to what does a CNA do is that the CNA checks each patient's vital signs and statistics to make sure all of the numbers are as they should be.

The CNA also attends to the general care and comfort of patients throughout their shifts. These types of duties range from rearranging pillows, helping patients to the restroom and other daily tasks.

Additionally, the CNA needs to ensure that they keep proper records by updating charts and keeping the duty nurses posted on each patient's condition and status.

Once all of these duties have been done, the CNA's status is on standby, as needed.

How Long Are CNA Classes?

Among the most frequent questions people have about enrolling in CNA classes relates to the topic of program duration: How long are CNA Classes? The answer to that question depends on where and how you take your classes.

Most conventional CNA curricula deliver 75- to 120- hours of classroom instruction and clinical experience. Full-time students can take classes during the day and complete the course in four weeks. Part-time students can take classes during the evening and complete the course in six- to eight-weeks.

Bear in mind, these estimates are based on the average length of programs offered nationally. Some CNA classes run three months and others run nine months to a year. Community colleges may blend CNA courses with core courses and spread the program over two years. The length of each program may be shorter or longer, depending on the agency or institution.

State requirements also affect the length of CNA programs. Certain states offer multiple levels of CNA certification. For instance, Oregon offers CNA I and II designations. Oklahoma offers CNA I, II and III. Achieving the highest level of certification in these states tacks on additional time to your studies. Also, if you relocate to one of these states, you may need to go back for additional training to meet state requirements.

Now, if you want to know how long it takes to become a CNA, the answer depends entirely on the individual. From initial enrollment to course completion, students can reasonably expect to exit a CNA program within three to six months. Beyond that, students must factor in the time it takes to register and sit for exams, job hunting and interviews. If offered employment, students must complete background checks, physical exams and orientation. Students who meet their requirements in a timely matter will be well on their way toward the goal of becoming a CNA.

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Four Traits That Every CNA Must Have

In the following article, we'll take a quick look at the four CNA skills and traits that generally separate the truly exceptional nursing assistants from their average peers. As you go through the list, you'll probably note that not all of these skills are acquired through the training you'd receive when learning how to become a CNA. Nonetheless, each of them can be learned and honed through practice.

Four Traits That Every CNA Must Have

Concern for Others

If you are already familiar with the typical duties of a CNA, you're probably aware that they spend almost their entire day observing and caring for patients. With this being the case, a strong sense of empathy and concern for the well-being of others is essential to performing their duties effectively.

Be a Team Player

Because nurses aides are just one member of the large team of professionals employed by most health care facilities, it is vital that they work well with other people. This means that a CNA must be good at following directions, dealing with different personalities, and also knowing when to bring issues to their superior's attention.

Be Detail-Oriented

There is no shortage of details that must be followed when working in health care, and certified nursing assistants are exposed to many of them. From following a physician's orders to the letter, to sticking to procedures, to noting changes in patient moods, behaviors and vital signs, a good CNA must be highly detail-oriented in order to effectively support the treatment of their patients.

A Sense of Ownership

In many professions, workers are able to get through the day without feeling a personal sense of ownership about their job. The nursing profession is not one of these, however. Being effective in your role as a CNA requires you to treat your duties and patients as if they're the most-important thing in the world at that moment. Nursing assistants are responsible, in some cases, for helping others to overcome life-threatenting conditions. This is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly.

CNA Skills Learned In Training

The training courses that certified nursing assistants complete prior to becoming certified provide students with a variety of skills that will be required in their jobs. While the natural assumption may be to assume that these acquired skills are the most important things needed to succeed as a CNA, it must be pointed out that having the traits listed above is every bit as necessary. In fact, without the aforementioned qualities, you may find it impossible to effectively master the skills taught in school.

Where to Look for a CNA Job

For newly-certified nursing assistants, the prospect of finally venturing out into the workplace in search of their first CNA job is often an intimidating one. Armed with the right tools and a sound strategy, however, it is often far easier to land an entry-level position than one might otherwise think. This article takes a quick look at a few basic steps you can follow in order to find work as a certified nurses aide.

Where to Look for a CNA Job

Start With the Newspaper

Yes, we all know that print media doesn't quite have the circulation and power that it once did, but when it comes to looking for a job, it's still a good place to start. Many local-level health care employers continue to use help wanted ads in the newspaper as a way to advertise job openings, so be sure to include a quick look through the local fish wrap in your daily search process.

Use the Internet

People tend to search online for almost everything these days, and jobs are no exception. While well-known sites like Craigslist and Monster do provide a wealth of information about employment opportunities around the country, using them effectively to find a CNA job near you requires a focused approach. Use specific search terms as much as possible that describe the position you require (e.g. "nursing assistant") and pare down the results from there by using local search parameters, etc.

School-Sponsored Employment Services

Assuming that you have recently graduated from an accredited training program, you are probably aware that most CNA schools offer job placement services to their students. This is often your best bet if you're looking for your first job in the nursing industry because these institutions usually have close relationships with most health care employers in their area. Not only can your school help you apply for a CNA job, but the staff and administrators can often also put in a good word for you.

A Final Word on Getting a CNA Job

Thanks to the dramatically growing need for new CNAs at virtually all of the nation's health care facilities, the current number of job openings greatly exceeds the number of available applicants in many areas. This presents a tremendous opportunity for anyone interested in breaking in to the nursing profession right now. Despite the appearance that your job search may resemble "shooting fish in a barrel", it is still important that you approach your quest with professionalism and diligence. Employers may need help, but certified nursing assistants are entrusted with a lot of responsibility, so be sure to show you can handle the position's demands while applying and interviewing for your CNA job.

Six Questions About Becoming a CNA

This article covers the top six things that you may want to consider if you're trying to decide whether or not to enroll in CNA classes.

There are certainly many more that could be added to this list as well, of course, but the six mentioned below should give most prospective certified nursing assistants a good idea if they'll be a fit for the job.

Top 6 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Becoming A CNA

Do I Like Helping Other People?

Because the CNA is essentially a person who supports other medical personnel and takes care of patients all day long, the first question you should ask yourself is "Do I like helping others?" If the answer is "yes", then you'll probably love the fact that a typical workday as a certified nursing assistant involves helping patients improve their physical, mental, and often emotional health.

Do I Like Making Friends?

If you're the social type and enjoy forming new relationships, working as a certified nurses aide will give you a number of opportunities to do just that.

You'll work side-by-side with not only other nursing assistants, but professionals from throughout the health care field - not to mention with your patients.

 Most CNAs find this part of the job to be the most-rewarding as the bonds built can lead to lifelong friendships and even opportunities to advance their careers.

Can I Work Flexible Hours?

Almost all nursing professionals are required to work varying hours at times.

 If this is something that sounds like it would be a problem for you, then you may want to rethink working in nursing.

 On the other hand, many certified nursing assistants see this aspect of the job as a benefit since most employers will work with them to give them the shifts that fit best into their personal lives.

Do I Like To Be Challenged By My Work?

People who enjoy multi-tasking and being constantly challenged by their work tend to do well in nursing.

When you're working as a CNA, you'll often be charged with providing support to doctors and other nurses, as well as attending to patients and performing a number of other duties.

The benefit of this is that the experience you gain by doing this makes you very attractive to hiring managers in a variety of other fields.

Do I Want To Move Up Quickly In My Career?

The majority of individuals who become nurses aides do so to get their foot in the door in nursing, and to use the position as a springboard to other jobs.

The job of the CNA is ideally suited for this purpose, thanks in large part to a few of the factors mentioned above.

Networking with other health care professionals, developing a diverse skillset and proving yourself under fire all help you advance quickly into other positions if that is your goal.

Am I Worried About Job Security?

With the difficult job market of the past several years, many workers are worried about layoffs and other cutbacks in their industries.

The health care industry has gone in the opposite direction during this time, however, with shortages for qualified personnel in many areas and a great need, in particular, for nurses.

 If you choose to become a CNA, this means that you'll face an employment landscape that is full of opportunity and security for many years to come!

How To Get Started As A CNA

So, after asking yourself these six questions, have you decided to become a CNA? If so, the first step you'll need to take is to enroll in an accredited training program.

 CNA courses are available from a variety of institutions and can provide you with the education you'll need to get started in nursing in as little as six weeks!