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We have 209 Nursing Assistant Programs in our database. If you are looking for an entry level job in the growing healthcare field, or if you need experience to decide whether to pursue another healthcare career, becoming a nursing assistant may be a good place to start.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing assistant jobs are expected to grow 18 percent between 2008 and 2018 because of the healthcare needs of an aging population.
What Is It Like to Work as a Nursing Assistant?
Most nursing assistants (NAs) are employed by nursing facilities (also called nursing homes) that offer rehabilitation services, assisted living, and long-term care. The work involves basic patient care such as feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, transporting, and other duties such as vital signs and some paperwork - all under the supervision of nurses or doctors. NAs can also work in hospitals, doctor's offices, correctional facilities, or in home care.
You must be in good health and undergo a criminal background check prior to employment. Having a desire to help people, being dependable, and being able to work as part of a team are essential qualities for NAs.
For a detailed overview of a career as a nursing assistant, check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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Nursing Assistant Education
NA training programs are typically four to 18 weeks in duration, after which you are given a certificate of completion or a diploma. Shorter programs are ideal for people with healthcare experience or for those who want to qualify for the state certification exam in a short amount of time. Longer programs are good for those who need more hands-on care experience. Classes teach patient care skills and how to measure vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure. Expanded programs may include courses in body mechanics, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, infection control, and communication skills.
You can take NA courses if you are already working or in school. Training programs can be found in high schools, vocational-technical schools, and community or junior colleges. Some American Red Cross chapters and nursing care facilities also offer courses. Many programs offer evening and weekend classes. Some have an online component.
There are also programs such as the Advantage Career Institute Medical Assistant program and other Medical Assistant (and related) programs that are created for entry level healthcare workers.
Entry requirements vary by program and school but in many cases, you do not need a high school diploma to enter an NA training program. To become certified or find a job, however, you may need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Certified Nursing Assistant Programs
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) undergo about 75 hours of additional training and pass a state competency exam. Most nursing facilities require you to be certified. Contact your state’s board of nursing to find out about certification requirements and examinations.
If you want to take care of people but do not want to undergo classroom training or testing, consider becoming a home care or personal aide. These positions do not usually require a high school diploma, and you are trained on the job in tasks such as cooking, light housekeeping, personal care, and emergency and safety precautions.
To move on to other healthcare fields, you will need additional training. The most common careers for former nursing assistants are medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses. For any of these positions you need a high school diploma and additional education. To be a nurse you also need to pass a state licensing exam. For more information about requirements for these careers, check out the American Association of Medical Assistants, the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses or the American Nurses Association.
Becoming a CNA
By Nicole Galan
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are important members of the healthcare team, helping the patient with their most basic physical and emotional needs. They assist the patient in performing basic self-care activities: walking to the bathroom, eating, drinking, dressing and bathing.
For bed-bound patients, CNAs perform total care: giving bed baths, feeding them, and changing their position every two hours to prevent bedsores. This can be a very physical job because CNAs are on their feet for many hours of the day, and must be strong enough to turn or help move patients.
While not formally allowed to assess their patients, CNAs are often the first to notice that something may be wrong. This is simply because the CNA gets to know her patients very well. Caring for people the way that they do allows nursing assistants to develop strong and caring relationships with their patients. Due to the intimate nature of their work, nursing assistants must be sensitive, trustworthy and compassionate.
Nursing assistants frequently work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and in homecare. They work with all ages and all patient populations, although in very critical situations, the CNA may need to perform patient care with the nurse present.
Their facility’s policies will dictate a lot of what CNAs are allowed to do. Some hospitals will allow them to take vital signs or blood glucose readings; others will not.
To become a CNA, you must attend a training program that may last four to sixteen weeks. The training consists of time spent in the classroom, clinical setting and laboratory. A practical and written exam is given at the end of the training program. After passing the exam, candidates must submit all of their paperwork directly to the State Board of Nursing, who will issue the certification. Once certified, the CNA must complete a certain number of continuing education credits each year to stay in good standing. Check with your state nursing board for more information about their requirements.
List of Programs
- Pre-Nursing CertificateACEN
- NursingACEN
- Nursing Assistant/Geriatric AideACEN
- Patient Care Technician/Geriatric Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant ProgramACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertifiedACEN
- Nursing AssistantCCNE
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant-AdvancedACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Basic Nursing AssistantACEN
- Advanced Acute Care Nursing Assistant (Pre-Nursing)ACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- State Tested Nurse AidesACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Basic Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Advanced Acute Care Nursing Assistant (Pre-Nursing)ACEN
- Basic Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Certified Nurse AssistantACEN
- Online Nursing Assistant CertificationACEN
- Online Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AidACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantCCNE
- Certified Nursing Assistant Training ProgramACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nurse Aide and OrderlyACEN
- Patient Care AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AideACEN
- Nurse Aide Training ProgramACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant ProgramACEN
- Certified Nurse AssistantACEN
- Basic Nurse Assistant TrainingACEN
- Nursing Assistant
- Nurse Assistant ProgramACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertifiedACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse Assistant ProgramACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse Aide TrainingACEN
- Nurse Aide TrainingACEN
- Nursing Assistant ProgramACEN
- Geriatric Aide Assistant/Certified Nurse AideACEN
- Nurse AssistingACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- CNA ProgramACEN
- Certified Nurses AideACEN
- Online Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse Aide ProgramACEN
- Online Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Nursing AssistingACEN
- Online Nurse AideACEN
- Online Nurse AssistantACEN
- Online Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Nurse AideACEN
- Online Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Advanced Acute Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Certified Nurses AideACEN
- Online Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nurse AssistingACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Basic Nurse AssistantCCNE
- Nurse Aide: Acute & Long-TermACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Home Health AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantCCNE
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse Aide State RegistryACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Direct Health Care ProviderACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantCCNE
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Health Care AssistantACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing assistantsACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Bilingual Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant/Home Health AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nurse AideACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Basic Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nurse Aide PreparationACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant ProgramACEN
- Certified Medication AideCCNE
- Certified Nursing AssistantCCNE
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide CertificateACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Basic Nurse AideACEN
- Advanced Acute Care Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantsACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Online Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Basic Nurse Assistant TrainingACEN
- Nursing AssistingACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nurse aideACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nurse Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse Aide TrainingACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant ProgramACEN
- Online Nurse Assisting CertificateACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing Assistant -Ibest FoundationsACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Licensed Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant/Home Health AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant or Home Health AideACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certificate in Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certificate of Completion in Nurse AssistingACEN
- Nursing Assistant and Home Health AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertifiedACEN
- Nurse Aide TrainingACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certificate Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Basic Nurse Assistant TrainingACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant & Medicaid Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse Aide Technical CertificateACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantsACEN
- Nurse AssistantACEN
- Certified Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing Assistant CertifiedACEN
- Nurse Aide CertificationACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurse Assistant CertificateACEN
- Online Certified Nursing Assistant Career Ladder ProgramACEN
- Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nurses AideACEN
- Certified Nurse AideACEN
- Nursing Assistant Skills TrainingACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nurses Aide and Geriatric CareACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Certified Nurse AideACEN
- Certified Nursing Assistant CertificateACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN
- Nursing AssistantACEN