The great news about CNA training classes is you can complete them in a matter of weeks. This makes it a promising career path for people who want to work in healthcare, but don’t want to spend years (not to mention tens of thousands of dollars) on their education. Certified nursing assistant positions are entry level. All a person needs to start work in this exciting career path is to:
- Complete an approved nurse aide education program
- Pass a certification exam, be placed on your state’s nurse aide registry
- Apply for CNA jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, other long-term care facilities, and more!
Are you eager to start a career that makes a difference in the lives of others? Do you enjoy working on your feet as opposed to sitting behind a desk? Do you enjoy fast-paced environments? Do you want to learn key lifesaving skills/techniques? A CNA training class can be your key to a healthcare career you love.
No matter which CNA education program you choose, here are three things to know about CNA training classes:
- You can expect to receive hands-on training as part of your education
- You will need to dedicate 4-12 weeks (about 3 months) to training, depending on the program
- You should pick a program that will prepare you to earn your CNA certification
Learn more about Training Directs nurse aide program
You can expect to receive hands on training
One of the crucial parts of a CNA training class is the hands-on component. This is your opportunity to take the skills you’re learning and apply them in real life situations. It’s your chance to work with real people on real health problems before you finish the program.
Your hands-on CNA training will likely begin in the classroom. There, you can learn things like anatomy, infection control, basic nursing skills, and physiology. This will look more like a traditional classroom setting. Then, you can start to practice what you’ve learned. This may include medical tasks like:
- Taking and reading vital signs
- Identifying major health issues
- Assisting patients with daily activities and re-positioning patients.
Once you’ve mastered these concepts in the classroom, it’s time to take what you learn into the real world! Most CNA training classes include opportunities to practice these skills through hands-on training situations like:
- A skills lab, where you may practice what you learn on mannequins or through simulation exercises
- Clinical training, where CNA students work directly under licensed nurses in hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare settings
- Supervised practice hours in a combination of environments.
Gaining real-life experience to become a CNA is the most important part of any CNA training class. No matter which program you choose, make sure these elements are included. They’re meant to give you a preview of the work duties expected of a CNA, things like:
- Documenting patient behaviors and symptoms
- Feeding patients or assisting them as they eat or drink
- Recording vital signs
- Turning or repositioning bedridden patients
- Washing and dressing patients
- Helping nurses and doctors with using medical equipment
- And more
A good CNA training class or program will include opportunities to practice these skills on real-life patients.
Time commitment to training
Another important question to ask yourself before you sign up for CNA training classes is how much bandwidth you have. What is your schedule like? What are your responsibilities? Most CNA programs are designed to be completed in a few weeks, but it does vary by program. Those few weeks will be busy with coursework, studying, clinical training, and more.
If you don’t have several weeks where you can focus on the CNA training program, don’t be discouraged! If it doesn’t work for your schedule, some programs offer a part-time CNA training class option. Others offer CNA training classes on the weekends. This is a great option for busy parents or caretakers, people already working, or people with otherwise hectic or changing priorities. It will take you longer to complete your training classes though, usually several months instead of weeks. Considering your schedule and bandwidth for learning new material can help you narrow down the best time commitment to training for your CNA career goals.
One quick thing to note, some CNA classes may be offered in hybrid formats. This means course instruction is done both online and in person. Other programs are 100% in person. You should also consider your learning style to find the best fit for your needs. If you thrive on in-person instruction, you may not enjoy a CNA training class that is offered with an online component.
Picking a program that prepares you for certification
When you explore different CNA training classes, it’s important to make sure the nurse aide program you select focuses on the certification(s) needed for the state you want to work in. That way, you have an opportunity to learn all the skills and concepts you need to pass and start applying for jobs as a certified nursing assistant!
No matter where you want to work as a CNA, your certification exam will test you on topics such as:
- Fundamental nursing concepts
- Performing skills required for work as a CNA
- Clinical competency
- Patient care
Explore CNA training classes in Connecticut
For people interested in becoming a CNA in Connecticut, Training Direct offers an excellent nurse aide training program. With campuses in Bridgeport and Danbury, the training classes are designed to help graduates tackle the certification exam in Connecticut.
What else does this program offer?
- Diverse training taught in a combination of classroom and clinical training environments
- Flexibility, with course offerings during the day, at night, and on the weekends
- Career services to help students and graduates prepare to apply for jobs and to find the right career fit for them
Ready to learn more about how to pass your CNA training classes and become a certified nursing assistant? Contact Training Direct today to learn how you can begin training in our nurse aide program.
