Comments on: I would like to be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) what education do I need and how long does it take?

By: sweeterica@att.net

sweeterica@att.net — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:50:59 +0000

It sounds like what you are intersted in is an Activity Director, not a CNA. Cna's are the backbone or 'pack mule' of the nursing home….lol I like to say its 'all of the work and none of the pay'. CNAs are the personel responsible for nearly all of the hands on care, grooming, and feeding of the patients. The do not administer medication, update medical records or provide wound treatment. Otherwise, everyting tends to land on them…lol.

An activity director organizes the activities, coordinates games, is responsible for bringing in entertainment, and sometimes decorating the home/ rooms for the holidays. I am in Texas, and the certification for it is obtained for a few hundred dollars and a few weeks of class at most community colleges. Check with community colleges or even better, go to a nursing home, ask to speak with the activity director, and find out first hand! Heck… they may even be willing to hire you as an assistant, or you may decide to volunteer first before deciding to start class.
References :

By: Dawn K

Dawn K — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:06:59 +0000

You can become a CNA by taking a short course usually between 4-8 weeks. I've been a CNA for over 20 years. I went back to school 5 years ago and became a PCT (patient care technician). My reason for going back to school was to get out of the nursing homes. They are horrible places for CNA's to work. The pay is pathetic and the nurses will treat you like you are the lowest form of life. Seriously, the nurses will make your life miserable. My advice to you is spend the extra time 6-8 months to become a PCT, this will give you advanced skills to work at a hospital. There will be less lifting, better pay and more respect. I'm in school right now to become certified in phlebotomy. This will give me more opportunity for advancement in and out of the hospital. If you don't have the time or money to pursue a nursing degree PCT is the way to go. Good Luck: )
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By: Susan D

Susan D — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:44:59 +0000

In Indiana: Pay is between $9-$15 and it takes 3 weeks of training.
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By: Kristen B

Kristen B — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:29:59 +0000

You do not go to school for a CNA. You take a 2-6 week course (usually at a nursing home, sometimes a hospital). Most places pay you to attend the classes. You take a test and receive a certificate from the state that allows you to work as a CNA. Starting wage can be 7-12 dollars per hour generally. You cannot become a nurse any way other that attending college, but being a CNA gives you a chance to understand more about the health care field.
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By: lo320

lo320 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:09:59 +0000

I am a CNA / Medical assistant. I only went through 6 Weeks of school for my CNA. IMedical Assistant is 9 months but when I went for my MA it was only 6 months .
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By: Rick Ross

Rick Ross — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:58:59 +0000

4 to 6 months and they make anywhere from 22 to 29k per year. Learn more at PureMedicalJobs.com
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By: michr

michr — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:29:59 +0000

all nursing homes that accept medicare part A have the ability to offer training themselves if they chose to.
medicare reimburses all their cost to do so from training materials to the instructors salary.
to be a Certified Nurse Aide you must take a class and do the clinical time which involves 40 hours of class room studies and 35 hours of clinical time. you then must be scheduled for, take and pass a state licensing exam that includes a written test as well as a "skills" test. this testing must be completed within 120 days of your completion of classroom work. you are allowed to take the test three times if you fail to pass it the first time. you are also allowed to work as a CNA during the 120 day period. each state has it's own licensing and registry for CNAs but the laws are all governed on the federal level for those who are employed in any healthcare provider who accepts medicare part A payments.

you can also go to a community college or vocational school and pay for classes to become a CNA.

if you feel like you would like to become a CNA apply for a "helpers" position at a nursing home. they generally pay less but you will be able to observe what a CNA does and it will help you decide. if the nursing homes in your area do not hire helpers ask about volunteering.

helpers or volunteers can do some of the things a CNA does except they can not do actual patient care. they can not transfer from bed to wheel-chair but can push the wheel-chair once the patient is in it. they can not, dress, toilet, bath, walk or assist in any ADL but they can watch and learn as well as pass ice and water, make beds, play games, talk, stock supplies for the CNAs and once trained they can assist in feeding.
References :
Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides
Nature of the Work
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Employment
Job Outlook
Earnings
Related Occupations
find all this info at:

U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos165.htm

former resident of a nursing facility for rehab and am now a staff development coordinator(on a volunteer basis)
coordinate hiring and scheduling for monthly CNA class

By: laurianne9

laurianne9 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:56:59 +0000

The average salary for a CNA where I live is $10, it might be higher where you are, this is the job you want if you want to work in a nursing home. It doesn't take long, just a few months.
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My cousin is a registered nurse and she started out as a CNA