Ever thought of being a nurse? Well then you probably know to achieve this you will need a CNA license. This license brings an aspiring Bakersfield CNA student closer to the engagement of the career. The duties of the CNA are very essential even though they may be difficult. The CNA license gives one an edge in job opportunities and there is a higher salary when one applies for a job in the nursing homes or the hospitals.
How to get the CNA License
Many people want to be CNAs, but they need to have a Bakersfield CNA license. This begs the question… how do they get the CNA license?
- Fill out an application form: – First they need to fill out the form from the nurse aide registry in the local state; they have to ensure that they have signed and notarized it. Since there are numerous lawyers around there won’t be any problem with the notarization service. Then the form is sent to the local division of the state licensing office. In some they state they require the attachment of recent photograph and signed by two people who know the applicant. There should be the inclusion of the application fee inform of money order.
- Fill out the verification training form: – To ensure that the college or the nursing school that the applicant completed the program is accredited, has to fill out the local verification of training form. This form is given to the college or the nursing school itself and fills it out then sends it to the nurse aide registry.
- Medical and background check up: – The applicant has to submit a copy of medical and the background check, and also fill out a finger print form and send it to the local department of safety, which will also be rechecked by the local state and the national criminal in their records.
- Approval of the board of nursing: -The application will then be run by the local board of nursing, as they are needed in approving the application before the applicant can be eligible for the CNA license.
If the applicant will need a temporary permit, he or she has to have submitted their finger prints and the processing fee for the CNA license. The amount for the license is about $300 and $600 however it depends with the state that one is applying to.
CNA License Requirements
Being a CNA is a good choice as it gives one an edge to today’s competitive market for CNA jobs in Bakersfield Ca. Yet there are questions that ring in the students minds when is come to the CNA license such as, what are the requirements of getting the CNA license? How old does one need to be and are there any restrictions? Well here are the stipulated CNA requirements:
- Age: – as there is no age requirement in taking the CNA course, on the other hand one has to be at least 18 years of age so as to be qualified for the CNA license.
- Competency: – in addition to passing the two final exams and the course the student is also required to undergo the clinical training. This is to ensure that they have actually completed the course and know what they are doing. The training consists of 40 hours and it could be on site job experience or in the classroom, this training has to be certified by a trained nurse.
- High school diploma: – the applicant has to prove that they have attained a high school diploma and in other cases a GED, this is because the applicant will need the basic biology so as to understand the human body. If one doesn’t have the diploma they need to prove that they have the equivalent knowledge.
The applicant may get the license within 8 weeks and be renewing the license in time so as to have a smooth record with the employers. When one is a proud owner of the CNA license they can begin working in any health care facilities.
The CNA courses or the certified nurse assistant courses are supposed to be completed before the trainee gets the associate degree or certification. The main goal of the courses is to teach and train the student’s basic nursing duties and responsibilities. Some of the main duties and responsibilities of a certified nurse assistant are feeding, bathing, dressing and doing everything necessary to keep the patient comfortable and in good condition.
Outline of CNA Courses
CNA courses are divided into various categories although the mode of study is the same and the time period does not change. Here is an outline of the main courses: –
- Anatomy and Physiology: – The courses include the subjects, anatomy and physiology so that each student can learn about the different parts of the body and the various functions.
In these subjects the nursing students also gets to study the different medical reactions of the body to various medications. These two subjects are a good foundation for CNA students and also the type of students who would wish to pursue higher levels of the nursing course. Anatomy and physiology courses help the students learn how the human body functions, hence make it easy for a CNA to take good care of their patients.
- Fundamentals of Nursing:- The fundamentals of nursing are also included in the courses curriculum. In this subject the student is given basic knowledge about health and topics related to health. The subject also gives the CNA trainee an in depth idea of what their primary task and duties in a patient’s health care are. Regardless of the fact that they are just nurse assistants they are also taught about the duties of a nurse since they work directly under the supervision of a registered nurse.
- Nurse Assistant Skills:- The course mainly consists of 260 hours of both classroom training and practical training. The subject of nurse assistant skills is the practical training in the CNA courses. Aside from the classroom basic knowledge the courses also enlighten the students on a number of skills in which they will need in future so as to execute their main nursing assistant duties.
The trainee is taught how to check and record the vital signs of the patient as well as perform emergency procedures like CPR when need arises. The students are also taught how to make patient’s charts, legal and ethic aspects of the job are also taught in the CNA courses.
Great Options for the CNA Courses
There are several methods available for becoming a certified nursing assistant and out of these numerous methods, most people run for the free certified nurse assistant. The CNA course can be done in from any registered institution offering the CNA courses. The student will have to comply with the rules and regulations of this institution so as to finally get the can certification.
- Free can courses: – Today hundreds of people who have dreams and aspirations of attaining careers in the medical field can now attain them with the free courses offered by various organizations and firms all around the world like the Red Cross, long term nursing institutions and many others.
- Online CNA Courses: – CNA courses have also become more flexible for those with a passion of pursuing the course. Online courses are easy to start up and also easy to follow up. The online classes are easy to manage since the busy people get time to concentrate and follow up their classes.
CNA classes in Bakersfield Ca are so far the most enrolled classes because of the flexible and favorable modes of study for people of all career types. These classes have also enjoyed financial aid from various institutions for those who cannot afford to pay for the CNA courses and have the passion to pursue these courses.
CNA Certification
A great career opportunity and a solid option for nurses are by applying for certified nurse assistant /cna certification. This certification is voluntary and globally accepted and recognized. It opens many career opportunities as CNA’s are constantly in high demand no matter the economic situation hence job demand and stability is guaranteed at all times for cna certificate holders.
CNA Certification Program
This program features two main components which include classroom instruction and clinical experience and must be taken for at least 75 hours as mandated by OBRA.
In classroom training, a student is instructed on basic nursing and clinical skills, personal care skills, care of ageing patients, physical therapy, one on one patient care, feeding, bathing and more specialized duties in clinical training. These specialized duties involve helping the patients walk, communicate, sit upright, operating and maintaining medical equipment.
For potential job seekers as cna’s, it is necessary and mandatory to go through a training program and receive cna certification. This training is readily available to suite all potential Cnas since it allows flexibility and considers all kind of students. Cna training can be obtained through several means such as:-
1. Online CNA Certification. This is an online program where students download reading material and lecture notes from an institution of their choice in an online program. The tests are also online and real time where they ask questions that are to be answered at that time.
2. Via Bakersfield Community College. These are technical colleges that are community based and are locally available in all the states and the fees are fair. They offer a variety of technical courses including the cna certification.
3. Through a Vocational School. These are part time learning institutions that offer durational studies. They target the working or studying group of people who are not able to take up normal classes due to their tight schedules. Many vocational schools in Bakersfield offer nursing scholarships for their CNA programs.
Benefits of CNA Certification
Cna certification credentials indicate to the employers, patients , the general public and most importantly the professional licensing board that the nurse has qualified and is competent in the current nursing specialty, and more so in a specific field. It ensures that your knowledge and skills are current and comprehensive; renewing the certification through continuous learning ensures you remain relevant. There are major benefits as a nurse as and they are:-
- Greater job opportunities since some employers list certification as a necessary requirement for qualification in their institutions.
- Increased knowledge in a specific area and practice hence allows nurses to specialize in certain field of practice
- Career development and advancement meaning increased responsibilities. It strategically puts one in a position to advance academically while still working moreover one can easily get to being a certified nurse after attaining the degree.
- Potential salary increments that come with increased responsibility and reimbursement of certification exam costs
- Formal recognition in the place of work. With the cna certification, one’s abilities and skills are recognized among other nurses hence help cna certification holders stand a better chance of promotion and leadership position.
- Major opportunities to participate in exam development activities and act as a certification mentor and instructor and sharing the acquired knowledge with the new generation of certified nurses joining the practice.
The credential is renewed every five years confirms that the nurse’s competence is acceptable and has met determined standards after which one is entitled to take a certification test and once passed, a certificate is offered and the student is officially a member as a certified nurse assistant and it enables them find a job consequently a cna certification acts as an entry point into the health profession, especially RN jobs in Bakersfield Ca.
A certified nurse assistant is an individual who assists patients with healthcare needs under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or an LPN. Despite being qualified to perform an array of procedures in the healthcare facility, issues of legality and individual liability prevent the CNA from doing certain procedures, even under the supervision of a RN. Other titles that are used for the certified nurse designation are nursing assistant, nurse aide as well as state tested nurse aid; all of which can be interchangeably used.
Steps to Becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant
If you are aspiring to be a certified nurse assistant, it takes more than just finding a school from where you will be taking the taking the CNA training. The first basic steps involve conducting a research on the CNA roles, CNA requirements and accredited CNA programs. When you have met these steps, you begin the process of application to the school of your choice, which must be a state approved school.
When it comes to actual CNA training, there are various options that are available. The presence of these various options ensures that the various training needs that people have are carefully and appropriately taken care of. For instance, take the online CNA training, which is specially designed for aspiring students with other commitments such as work and parenting. The training is done at your convenience, such that you don’t have to re-schedule or sacrifice other important commitments that you have.
Apart from the online training, there is also the Red Cross CNA training, which is very popular and available in most states across the nation. Candidates who have financial constraints may enroll for the free Red Cross training, if it is available in their states. If not, you can choose to sign up for their online programs and earn the certified nursing assistant designation upon completion. Additionally, Red Cross routinely recruits and hires some of the students who trained with them, saving the students time needed to draw up application letters to various facilities.
After training, you will be required to apply for, sit and pass both parts of the state CNA certification test. The exam is taken in either Spanish or in English for the oral version, for those who aren’t too comfortable taking the written English paper. On the practical part, the student will be required to demonstrate his skill and competence in performing at least 5 of the 25 hands-on skills. The evaluator then grades the students based on their performance on these skills. The results of the test are released soon afterwards.
Certified Nurse Assistant Working Options
After completion of training, a certified nurse assistant is advised to register with the CNA registry to start practicing. For work, you decide where you would like to work- a hospital, a nursing home or a long term care facility. Some centers will give you the liberty to choose your preferred shift as well. Do you prefer the 8 or 12 hours a day shift, do you prefer working at night, during the day or in the evening? You can choose the combination that best suits you. Landing a job is not final. As a working certified nurse assistant, you will be required to stay informed and compliant with all CNA laws and rules in your state.
CNA Training In Kern County
After you have completed high school diploma, there are several options available for you if you are considering taking a CNA training in Bakersfield Ca. Various vocational and community colleges, medical institutes as well as nursing homes offer CNA training in Kern County & Southern California. All these centers give ample time in practical training as well as the theoretical studies. Application of the skills acquired in these classes is used to determine how equipped the student is in the health care field. This measure can be used to increase motivation and boost the morale.
Getting Free CNA Training in Bakersfield Ca
The drill is the same, and if you want to get qualified for free CNA training in Kern County California, you will be required to provide proof that you are unemployed or underemployed with low annual wages. There is high competition though, because the number of candidates willing to join this field is ever growing in Bakersfield. Average CNA classes cost around $750 with additional fees for the learning materials, CPR training and the certification.
The financial assistance mostly comes from the federal government, and the colleges themselves that offer free training in return for the nurse aides to be to work with for a specified span of time after certification. Those who are financially troubled find these programs invaluable as admissions are loose and applications for financial support very easy. Thus, there is absolutely no reason why anyone shouldn’t attend CNA training in Bakersfield Ca.
Getting Accredited Schools Offering CNA Training in Kern County
While the benefits of free CNA training in Kern County are enormous, it is worth noting there are several risks involved with such classes. Most of the institutions that offer these programs in the Central Valley are yet to get accredited by the government and the state. This implies that the certificates earned from these facilities may be rejected in most work stations. Thus, it is always prudent to visit the California Department of health to get the full list of those institutions that are already accredited.
Now, you may be wondering how you know whether or not the CNA program of your preferred institution is accredited or not. The first indicator is to look at the number of credit course that can be managed in that program. If the number of those credit courses is 17, then it is highly likely that the program is accredited as it shows adherence to state regulations. CNA training in Kern County require at least 5 hours daily for every institution offering them. Then, a good school conducts both the theoretical and practical training supervised by a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse.
Certification is of paramount importance, since without it getting a job is really an uphill task. Bakersfield, being the largest city in Kern County, has higher than average salary for a nursing assistant. Forecasts show that the pay is between $28,000 and $35,000. And with an ever growing population in Bakersfield, things can only get better as there will be an increased demand for the services of nurse aides in this city. Additionally, the more you gain experience, you higher you move up the scale.
All in all, CNA training in Kern County are effective in impacting knowledge on students as they involve learning more on hands on experience. The end products are students who are extremely skillful and competent. This is further fortified by the use of modules and other learning kits as many institutions that have CNA training in Bakersfield Ca are wont to do.