- 1). Find a certified nursing assistant program in your area: Check local community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Compare costs, length of the program, subjects covered. Find out whether the program qualifies you to take the state certification examination.
- 2). If the program includes hands-on training at a medical facility, such as a nursing home or hospital, complete a criminal background check. This is required by federal law for all health care workers
- 3). Complete the program by attending all classes and completing all tests and assignments. You will likely practice skills in the classroom in a mock setting, acting out the skills on mannequins or on fellow students.
- 4). Complete the hands-on, or clinical, portion. This will likely take place at a nursing home or hospital. You will perform basic skills on actual patients under the guidance and supervision of a certified instructor, who is usually a registered nurse.
- 5). Store your certificate of course completion in a safe place where you can access it to register for the state certification exam or to present to potential employers during job applications and interviews.
- 6). Arrange for and take your state certification exam. Requirements vary by state but most exams include a true/false and/or multiple choice portion along with a hands-on skills test. The hands-on test is often performed by acting out the skill on a mannequin or a volunteer, pantomiming the behavior where necessary. The student taking the exam will describe her actions. "I'm washing my hands with soap and water and then drying them, being careful to use clean paper towels to turn off the water..." or "I wipe the patient's backside from front to back being careful to use a different part of the washcloth for each pass..."
- 7). Once you receive your certification, store it with your course completion certificate. Follow state rules for renewing your certificate as they may require you to take additional coursework and/or provide proof of employment.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -