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As the population in the United States ages, more people are involved in the care of elderly. Traditionally, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) has the skills and education to take on the bulk of enormously important nursing care of senior citizens and others. CNA training is available in most areas in the country and is offered by medical facilities, community colleges, trade schools and universities. The cost ranges from free to $1000 or more.

The content of a certified nursing assistant course is usually set by state statutes through a Board of Nursing or similar entity. The training will include theoretical and practical training. The classes will usually consist of studying subjects such as patient rights, symptoms of various illnesses and other theoretical knowledge from a manual or textbook. The balance of class time is spent practicing the procedures and techniques. Typical procedures include blood pressure readings, reading a temperature and using other simple medical equipment.

Basic patient care procedures of all types are included within the training cycle. These include feeding, bathing, dressing, lifting, and socialization. The CNA learns what the standards for care are and how to be aware of the patient’s Bill of Rights. Some advanced CNA education include use of emergency equipment such as cardio equipment. With the advanced training comes advanced responsibility.

For individuals with a high school education or GED, CNA classes represent an opportunity to be assured of work with a fairly minimal training time. Because there is a strong need for the type of basic hands-on patient care provided by certified nursing assistants, it is possible to complete the training with the aid of scholarships, grants or a work agreement. Further, the length of time to obtain certification is very short.

Typical length of the course is 100 to 120 hours of instruction, including classroom time of 40 hours or more. The remainder of the time is spent in closely supervised on-the-job training. The quality of the training varies depending upon who is offering the class and the capability of the instructors.

CNA training is a field where the need for workers has outstripped the available workforce. Applicants should enjoy providing care for others. A sympathetic demeanor and the ability to work with those who may be mentally and physically challenged, due to age related diseases are a prerequisite for workers in this field. The work can be physically challenging, such as when heavy patients must be moved or bathed. The importance of good physical health cannot be overstated.

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