Where’s the Best Place to Work as a CNA?

There are many places in which a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can work. At first, experience anywhere is important to a new CNA, but other job opportunities may arrive eventually.

The usual workplaces for CNAs include local hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health aide agencies. The patients here can range from young to old, and the work hours can vary depending on the workload shared by the CNAs and nurses.

 

Here are the 3 most common job settings for a CNA.

 

Hospital

Because a hospital job is challenging, the many benefits that come with it plus the choice of work hours are perks that make this a coveted career option for CNAs. This means fiercer competition to get hired.

There’s also the potential for growth due to well-trained nurses being your mentors in the field. Compared to other workplaces, the salary in hospitals is higher, entailing job security.

It’s no wonder it’s difficult to find a hospital job in the first place. Aspiring CNAs have to regularly check the job pages on hospital websites and send a resume to human resources. It’s usually hard to get hired, though.

 

Nursing Home

A CNA often begins their career at a nursing facility. These are always in demand because of the large number of aging and disabled patients.

Of course, this place can be the first step to becoming a CNA at a hospital later on, but many learn to love working at a nursing home. It’s difficult work, requiring interaction with many patients with various health issues.

The good thing is, a nursing home job is just as secure as a hospital job, with full-time employment yielding benefits. The only downside is the stress of dealing with as many as 8 to 12 patients.

The experience, however, is unique and incomparable to any other field.

 

Home Health Aide Agency

Another popular workplace for CNAs is the home health aide agency.

Though the pay is similar to that in nursing homes, the patient ratio is less demanding, with a need to look after just one person. There’s less risk of the notorious burnout that a CNA at a hospital or nursing home must deal with.

One con with this career path is that it takes time to be allocated to the patient. While waiting, most must work at other places to keep earning.

A more taxing and emotional experience, however, is dealing with the loss of the patient. It’s unavoidable to form a connection or grow close to the person in one’s care, so losing them can be sad and even traumatic.

Each CNA workplace has pros and cons. Whether it’s working hours, stress level, salary, or emotional load, many factors play into each environment.

One will eventually be able to gauge where they’re needed and what they can offer, but ultimately, CNAs choose depending on availability. Still, it’s good to know the various career options and try to pursue a path where providing care won’t be just a job.

 

Want to become a CNA? contact us at:

CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE,INC
140 Eldridge Road # G, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (346) 908-0942
https://cnatraininginstitute.org/

 

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What Are the Qualities of a Good CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) works to provide care for patients. It’s a job that involves a lot of responsibilities, from bedside assistance to basic nursing procedures.

Though it entails supervision from a Registered Nurse (RN), much of a CNA’s work requires a mix of skills to be able to properly care for a patient. A good CNA must exhibit the following:

Passion

It’s not easy to attend to the needs of other people round the clock. Whether it’s assisting bedridden patients, serving meals, sanitizing areas, or updating patient records, the work can be tedious.

But one can stay dedicated to any task or juggle various responsibilities. It’s the passion to provide care that will build resolve in a CNA’s heart.

In turn, this will affect their work and be felt by the patients.

Patience

No pun intended, but attending to a patient requires patience. There’s a sense of compassion that a CNA must have to address the needs of those with lower levels of mobility. Eating, bathing, dressing, and undressing are relatively simple tasks that require regular assistance.

This is in addition to the complaints and uncooperative behaviors that some patients may exhibit. In such scenarios, it’s a no-no to lose patience. Instead of causing more stress, CNAs have to stay calm, level-headed, and caring.

Knowledge

A CNA must have the ability to address health-related issues. Though not at the level of an RN, becoming a CNA still requires a short course or semester of study. This includes familiarization with health charts and patient records.

CNAs are counted on to spot any health concerns. This means they should have a body of knowledge to draw from when the need arises.

From taking vital signs to preparing medical equipment and analyzing medical history — these can be useful in many situations. The knowledge can only stem from curiosity and an interest to learn as much as possible.

Communication

Since CNAs work hand-in-hand with RNs, there must be clear communication between the two for the betterment of the patients. This comes in the form of regular reports that summarize all the necessary info.

Good communication skills will help make sure that patient needs are understood and cared for. Even in interactions with patients, a good CNA can detect when there’s discomfort or when someone is going through pain. Most importantly, talking to them to know what’s going on is a vital skill.

Attention to detail

This brings us to the final quality that a CNA should have. Attending to and caring for other people requires attention to detail. This entails a combination of instinct and knowledge to determine when something is off or if action must be taken to help a patient immediately.

If a caregiver doesn’t notice when things go wrong, then patients will be in trouble. This is why a CNA must have a good eye when it comes to all patient concerns.

In short, CNAs should be passionate about providing care. They must have the patience to help others without losing their cool, and the knowledge that comes from a will to learn about patient care. They must communicate well with both patients and nurses, and have a good eye to keep things in order.

There’s no perfect CNA, but those who want to put in honest work can try their best and do a great job of it.

 

For more information about becoming a CNA, contact us at:

CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE,INC
140 Eldridge Road # G, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (346) 908-0942
https://cnatraininginstitute.org/

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Is the CNA Exam Hard?

The journey to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is fulfilling, but not without challenges. Nevertheless, it is a mission that calls others to persevere and help heal those who are in need. If you would like to understand how you can properly prepare for a CNA exam, then read on.

What is the CNA Exam?

The Certified Nursing Assistant Exam is one of the requirements to get a certification. This aims to measure one’s skill and knowledge in successfully fulfilling the role of a CNA. Passing the exam equipsan aspiring CNA in landing a job and building a career.

 

The exam is composed of two parts. The first part is a written or oral examination and the other is a practical or hands-on examination. The written exam evaluates the knowledge learned from the courses during training, while the hands-on portion aims to assess the skills through practical application.

 

To become a CNA, one must pass both portions of the exam. If a nursing assistant is only able to pass one portion, a re-take is allowed for the part of the exam that needs to be passed.

 

The Consolidated Nurse Aide Training Institute provides quality lessons and training to ensure that a nursing assistant will be able to pass both portions of the CNA exam and exhibit professional CNA skills.

Is the CNA exam hard?

With the proper training and lessons provided by the Consolidated Nurse Aid Training Institute, the CNA examination may just be an opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge acquired during the training. The number of items for the written exam may vary from state to state. In general, it has around 70 items in total.

 

A CNA is required to demonstrate 25 skills. During the hands-on portion of the exam, an aspiring CNA will be tested in 5 randomly selected skills out of the 25. With proper training from the  Consolidated Nurse Aid Training Institute, nursing assistants will be able to learn and demonstrate all 25 skills needed to become a CNA.

What materials does the Certified Nursing Assistant Exam cover?

The CNA Exam may cover various concepts and lessons such as roles of a CNA, reporting and abbreviations, personal care skills, infection control, caring for all ages, and safety and managing behavior. The skills exam on the other hand may require a demonstration of handwashing, modified baths, providing mouth care, and positioning clients to name a few.

Tips on how to study for the exam

• Schedule your study sessions to avoid cramming – with all the information and skills a nursing assistant needs to take-in before the exam, cramming may not be the best option. Having a good study schedule that allows space both to rest and to study helps relieve the pressure from preparing for the exam.
• Have a study guide and explore other course materials – reading through different notes and having a study guide help organize your learning. The Consolidated Nurse Aid Training Institute has designed courses to better help students in learning and understanding the skills and concepts needed to become a CNA.
• Take practice exams – there are available practice exams for CNA found online to help prepare for the actual exam. After studying, a nursing assistant can take the practice exam to see what other topics and skills need to be covered further.

 

For more information about becoming a CNA, contact us at:

CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE,INC
140 Eldridge Road # G, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (346) 908-0942
https://cnatraininginstitute.org/

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Is CNA Training Difficult?

Working as a CNA is a usual stepping stone for those who’d wish to pursue nursing and practical nursing programs. Like registered nurses and licenses practical nurses, they work in hospitals, retirement homes, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and private homes. They sometimes even work in government institutions. But what does it take to get certified as a nursing assistant? What qualities would you need if you wanted to be a good nursing aide?

How Can I Become a CNA?

CNA jobs are entry-level jobs in the medical field, and it’s one of the fastest to achieve if you’re looking to jumpstart your medical career. Here are the steps you need to take in order to get your certification as a nursing assistant:

1. Get your GED or high school diploma – You don’t need a bachelor’s degree or anything higher than your high school education to start your medical career. You can enter the medical field as a CNA with a GED or high school diploma.
2. Complete your state-approved CNA training – You can get your CNA training from the state you’re looking to work in. Community colleges, The Red Cross, some high schools, and hospitals may offer CNA courses. Online classes are the norm for CNA courses, though some practical knowledge and assessments may be tested in person. All in all, courses take just about 1 to 4 months to complete.
3. Complete your clinical studies –After some theoretical coursework and practical assessments, you’ll need to complete some clinical work under the supervision of a medical professional. This experience mimics the actual job, and is one of the most important parts of training.
4. Get certified and listed – After your training, you’ll take a certification exam. If you pass the exam, you’d need to get listed on your state’s registry. Moving states? No worries! You can request for a transfer of certification. If you’re fortunate, your state will allow for a complete transfer without you needing to retake any further training or assessment.

What Qualities Would Make a Good CNA?

CNAs form the foundation of nursing care. While you may not be tasked with making major medical decisions, you’re going to be a front liner when it comes to caring for the wellbeing of the patients you’re assigned to. You’re always first to the scene whenever a patient needs help. Your supervising nurse trusts you to be their right-hand guy.

The following skills and qualities are important for CNAs to have:

• Communication skills– You’re going to close the gap between patients and their nurses, and being a good communicator can help you with this.
• Empathy and compassion –You’re going to take care of patients as most of them aren’t able to take care of themselves. With empathy and compassion, seemingly rude requests can easily seem justified and reasonable.
• Time management – You’re doing patient care, office work, stocking, and documentation most days, so your time management skill is going to be a great asset.
• Reliability – Patients rely on you most to make their daily living pleasant or at least bearable.
• Physical strength – Job duties as physically demanding as that of a CNA requires some physical strength. It’s not uncommon for CNAs to lift patients, carry hospital equipment, and even move beds.

 

For more information about becoming a CNA, contact our Houston office at:

CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE,INC
140 Eldridge Road # G, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (346) 908-0942
https://cnatraininginstitute.org/

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Do You Get Paid During CNA Training?

Most training institutes receive this question a lot from interested applicants. Do you get paid during CNA training? With an increased interest towards hiring certified nursing assistants in different parts of the globe, and the relatively minimal academic requirements needed to become one, more people want to become nursing assistants. Another factor that entices them to try it out is the presence of programs that will pay them as they train to become CNAs. However, there are some limitations to such deals.

Here are some things you should know about paid CNA training programs.

Just like with any other academic or technical course, generally speaking, you will need to pay for training programs to become a certified nursing assistant. This is because just like with any course that equip you with important skills, you will have to pay for the facilities used, as well as for the efforts of those who will train you. So generally speaking, you will have to pay for your CNA training. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and that can affect your decision-making process.

Sponsored programs – There are some organizations and individuals that offer sponsored programs and scholarships for aspiring CNAs, as well as for other aspiring professionals. Thanks to the financial backing of these entities, some people are able to receive training to become CNAs with little or no financial commitment from them. The presence of such programs can prove to be a huge lift for those who are dealing with limited resources but have the desire to progress their careers.

Paid training programs – On the flipside, there are some paid training programs available for aspiring certified nursing assistants. They may or may not pay enrollment fees for the initial part of their training programs, but they will get paid once they reach the phase where they are already training in a medical facility. The one who would usually arrange for your payments is your potential employer or the healthcare facility who will facilitate your training.

Beyond these options, there are also other ways for you to get paid while you are training to become a CNA. For example, your employer can actually pay you to undergo CNA training if you actually work under them and they decide that it would be mutually beneficial for both parties if you can advance your skills and become certified. They can also provide you with financial compensation if they observe that your skills are commendable and that you can benefit from additional training as a result.

Paid training programs for aspiring certified nursing assistants do exist. You can apply to these programs and see if can actually cut it with their requirements. Regardless if you want to get paid or not during your training, it is important that you select a credible training program. Look for a program that is certified and will provide you with the best opportunities to develop your skills. Check the credentials of the training institute and see if they adequately prepare their graduates as future CNAs. Paid training programs do exist, but make sure that you sign up with a credible program.

For more information about becoming a CNA, contact our Houston office at:

CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE,INC
140 Eldridge Road # G, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (346) 908-0942
https://cnatraininginstitute.org/

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Is Becoming a CNA a Good Idea? Here’s What You Need to Know

CNAs or Certified Nursing Assistants play a key role in the medical field. As the name implies – they work under the supervision of Registered Nurses, often filling in and interacting directly with patients. It’s a high-demand job that requires, first and foremost, good people skills. If you’re thinking about a job in the medical practice, starting as a CNA is an excellent option.

CNA Training and Education

You don’t need a Bachelor’s Degree in order to be a CNA. There are training courses that can offer extensive learning on the subject in as little as 3 weeks. This already includes clinical trials where CNA aspirants will be tested in an actual medical setting.

Aspiring CNA’s however, must take a State-required exam to ascertain their competency. A registry is made for exam passers after which, they can be hired in different sectors of the medical field.

CNA Job Outlook and Advancement

The beauty of CNA Training is that it is closely related to basic nursing principles. Hence, those who work as CNAs can choose to continue their education as Registered Nurses and will find that the coursework is actually easier for them. Of course, the job outlook for CNAs is good in itself. Demand for Certified Nursing Assistants is consistently rising with a predicted increase of 9 percent starting from the year 2018. Given the recent changes brought on by the COVID19 situation however, it is fairly certain that the demand for CNA’s will exponentially increase in the following years.

CNA Work Environment

The biggest employer of CNAs are government facilities, specifically government hospitals, followed by private ones. You will also find CNAs in retirement communities or facilities designed to help patients recover. Some CNAs work in private homes, offering personal assistance to patients who need basic help in day to day tasks.

The work environment therefore can vary from a hospital-setting to an almost residential-like situation. In all cases however, Certified Nursing Assistants are expected to be compassionate and patient. A good bedside manner is crucial because CNAs act as the bridge between the nurse and the patient, guaranteeing that the patients remain comfortable even as the nurse and doctors get the exact information they need to address medical concerns.

CNA Work Hours and Salary

Note that CNA’s typically have same hours as nurses, doctors, and other workers in the medical field. This means that they work in shifts, which could include night time, holidays, and weekends.

Wage-wise, CNAs have a median hourly rate of $13.72 within the United States. This can steadily increase as the experience in the field also increases.

CNA Responsibilities

CNA’s are often tasked to do the following responsibilities:

• They’re the ones who answer patience calls and determine basic patient needs. This includes cleaning the bed sheet, sanitizing the bed area, changing bandages, and even repositioning bedridden patients.
• Assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, standing, exercising, and using the toilet.
• Help ensure proper diet by reviewing dietary restrictions, food preferences, and allergies. They may also be responsible for feeding or preparing patient food.
• Keep track of medicine intake.
• Record vital signs of the patient such as blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature, and respiration rate, under the guidance of nursing staff.
• Interview and communicate with patients to find out vital information for diagnosis and treatment.
• Observe patients for changes in symptoms and condition.
• Help with the exercise of patients who have little or no mobility.
• Transport patients and biological materials.
• Prepare medical equipment for use.

CNA Profession – Overall Outlook

To wrap it up, the CNA Profession can be a demanding one – not only emotionally, but also physically. However, it is a deeply rewarding profession that gives you the option to move upwards in the medical field. It’s an excellent jump off point for those who want to train as nurses, medical technicians, or doctors. If you’re interested in the medical field and would like to be in a profession with a high and secure demand for a long time – then a Certified Nursing Assistant is an excellent choice.

For more information about becoming a CNA, contact our Houston office at:

CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE,INC
140 Eldridge Road # G, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (832) 766-0929
https://cnatraininginstitute.org/

References:

https://www.myplan.com/careers/nursing-assistants/requirements-31-1014.00.html?sid=73dfeb5d9ff9e92101de8ad44b6a5706

https://www.allnursingschools.com/certified-nursing-assistant/job-description/

https://www.myplan.com/careers/nursing-assistants/description-31-1014.00.html

 

 

 

 

 

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Is The CNA Exam Hard?

In order to become a certified nursing assistant’s (CNA), you are going to need to pass the exam. A lot of people wonder whether the CNA exam is difficult. Well, one thing we can say is that it is not easy. After all, it is designed to make sure you have the required knowledge in order to become a CNA. Nevertheless, all the exams are multiple-choice, so this is a great help. It means you have a 25 percent chance of getting each question right before reading it. However, no one wants to rely on odds when their career is on the line! So, in this post, we are going to provide you with some useful tips to help you pass your CNA exam. 

But first, let us reveal a bit more about difficulty levels when it comes to this exam. A lot of people feel stressed before taking any sort of exam, even if they have studied a lot. However, there are some important points worth bearing in mind when it comes to the CNA exam. Firstly, you are not going to need to come up with any answers yourself. The answer is always going to be one of the choices provided. If you are unsure of the answer or you’re nervous, there are different approaches you can use in order to narrow down your selection and help you to make the right decision.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you read the question properly. This may sound obvious but you would not believe how many people end up getting questions wrong purely because they have misread something. One word can change the entire meaning of a sentence, so make sure you take the time to digest exactly what the question is asking. 

Once you have done this, you should then try to think of the correct answer before you look at the different options that are available. You may even know the answer, especially if you have studied properly. By doing this, once you then look at the options, you will be able to select one and move on with confidence if you have chosen the right response without even looking at the options provided to you. 

If you do not know the answer and you do need to guess, you should have a strategy for doing so. Typically, a question will have one or two options that are evidently wrong. You then need to figure out which option would make the most viable sense. Compare them against each other to determine which one sounds right. You should also never simply assume that “all of the above” is the right answer when it is presented. It often is not. 

So there you have it: hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the CNA exam and how difficult it is. If you use the advice that has been provided, you should be able to make the exam a lot easier for yourself. 

For more information about becoming a CNA, visit our Houston office at:

CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE,INC
140 Eldridge Road # G, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (832) 766-0929
https://cnatraininginstitute.org/

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