Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are healthcare professionals who provide intimate, hands-on healthcare to patients in medical settings under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). CNAs assist patients with bathing, dressing and any other basic activities involved in daily life.
how to become a cna in New York
To become a CNA in New York, you’ll need to complete a training program that lasts anywhere from 30 to 80 hours, depending on the facility. During this time, you will learn nursing fundamentals and how to work with clients with various illnesses and conditions. After your training is complete, you must pass the state’s CNA exam before continuing on your career path as an LPN or RN.
Becoming a CNA
Dissimilar from other professionals in the nursing field, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are not required to hold a college degree. However, training is required, resulting in a postsecondary non-degree certificate or diploma. CNA credentials are issued by state, so prospective nursing assistants just need to enroll in a state-sanctioned training program and then pass a state certification exam.
What Are the Education Requirements for a CNA?
When becoming a CNA, individuals are required to have obtained a high school diploma or GED, plus nursing assistant training. You can find these programs at community colleges, trade schools, and medical facilities. Before enrolling, prospective CNAs should be sure the program they’re looking into is approved by their state’s nursing board and by the National League for Nursing Accredited Commission (NLNAC).
Upon successful completion of CNA training, individuals will subsequently be required to pass a CNA certification examination. This exam consists of two parts – a written part and a practical part. The written exam will be taken in a group setting and typically consists of a number of multiple choice-style questions. Test takers have 90 minutes to answer. The second portion, the clinical skills exam, is administered one at a time with a single test proctor/observer. Individuals will be tested on four randomly selected clinical skills to demonstrate their competency. They will have 30 minutes to complete this section of the exam.
Becoming a CNA In Your State
Each state may have different requirements for becoming a CNA. Click to find out about each state’s specific requirements.VTNHMARICTNJDEMDDC
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- New York
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Read about CNA programs.
Any Certification or Credentials Needed?
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) evaluates and monitors nursing education programs at all levels. Although the federal government does not involve itself at the accreditation level per se, the U.S. Department of Education does provide oversight of the accreditation process, and it also maintains a database of accredited schools; read more about CNA training.
Where Do CNAs Work?
There are a wide variety of environments in which CNAs can find themselves working. However, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that a significant portion of nursing assistants are working in places like hospitals, nursing care facilities and/or assisted living facilities for geriatric patients. Other settings they can be employed in include private doctors’ offices, urgent care centers, and community clinics. Additionally, CNAs can also work as home health aides or in hospice, helping care for patients in the comfort of their own homes.
What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant Do?
Certified nursing assistants work under the supervision of licensed nursing professionals. They care for patients who are infirm, ill, injured, disabled, and otherwise unable to care for themselves. In many settings, CNAs are the health professionals whom patients encounter most often. A CNA performs a variety of basic duties that are important for the patient’s comfort and recovery. These tasks vary depending on the employment setting.
