After passing of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, all states were federally mandated to both approve CNA certification training programs and maintain a list of all state-licensed or certified nurse aides.
Any nursing aide, who wants to work in hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facilities and other health centers, for providing everyday care to the patients should meet following requirements to get the certification or license to work:
Requirements for CNA
- Nursing aide student should complete state and federal regulated approved CNA training program
- Pass a state competency evaluation test.
- Criminal, ethical and moral history background check that includes submitting of finger prints.
Other state CNA or who has completed CNA program in the specific state, can ask the board of health of the perspective state for the waiver of the in-state program requirements and . Any student, who has obtained sample nursing care plan from an accredited institution of higher learning, can also petition to be exempted from any additional educational requirements.
CNA Training Program
All CNA Training Program should compile with state approved CNA training programs. For getting CNA certification test , a nursing student should meet below given education standard:
- Complete state approved classroom learning and training
- Clinical trainings.
The Red Cross CNA classes learning includes nursing basic skills, which include: Medical ethics, Emergency care, Nursing care, Infection control, Rehabilitation and Residents' rights.
The classroom learning are prior to clinical trainings and students are prevented from getting in touch with actual patients, After completion of classroom learning component, the students, during clinical training gets the opportunity to work with patients in long term care units. All aspect of training is performed under the strict supervision of certified or licensed nurse.
CNA training programs are offered in community colleges, high schools, community centers, adult learning institutes, and long-term care facilities where nursing aide is employed.
After successful completion of CNA training programs and passing of competency evaluation test, a CNA gets the certification and is placed on official registry of the specific state and can work legally in hospitals, nursing homes and long term care units.
