CNA Certification: Certified Nursing Assistant Degrees and Schools

CNA Certification

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) works under the supervision of a nurse to provide daily basic care for patients. A CNA provides both physical and emotional support for patients at home, in assisted-living facilities, and at hospitals. Your job will be to provide personalized assistance to individuals who are unable to care for themselves and help them regain and maintain daily functions. Your job may be difficult at times, but always rewarding, as you play an important role in helping people have a better quality of life.

To earn CNA certification and be placed on your state's Nurse Aid Registry, you will need to take a certificate program through your local community college or hospital to prepare for the state CNA certification exam. These programs vary in length, depending on the number of classes per week, but they generally last 2-6 months. Most courses require students to have a high school diploma or GED. It is helpful to know basic anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. If you're a little rusty on your medical knowledge, don't worry! You'll cover everything you need to know in the certification course.

Programs to Consider:

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University of Phoenix

Locations:

• Honolulu, HI
• Lone Tree, CO
• Salida, CA
• more...

Programs available:

• M.S. in Nursing
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• more...

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Capella University

Programs available:

• MSN - General Nursing (CCNE-accredited)
• MSN - RN-to-MSN General Nursing (CCNE-accredited)
• MSN - RN-to-MSN Gerontology Nursing
• more...

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Keiser University

Programs available:

• Nursing, MS
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Medical Assisting, AS (Online)

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Kaplan University

Programs available:

• MS in Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• MS - DNP Path (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
• more...

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Florida Career College

Locations:

• Boynton Beach, FL
• Clearwater, FL
• Miami, FL
• more...

Programs available:

• Nursing RN - AS
• Patient Care Technician - DIP

CNA certification courses include both hands-on experience at facilities and basic biology and health coursework with an emphasis on areas such as safety regulations, CPR, infection control, and patient care. Because federal law requires CNAs to demonstrate competency in 21 skills (which are tested in the state certification exam), coursework focuses on preparing you in these competencies. The classes include communication, recording of vital signs, personal hygiene, and basic nutrition, among others.

Once certified, you may find nursing assistant positions in hospitals, physician offices, private homes, clinics, hospices, or nursing homes. With America's baby boomers reaching retirement age, the demand for healthcare increases more and more each year. Employment prospects for nursing assistants are fantastic – in fact, home health aide is expected to be the fastest-growing occupation through 2014. In just a few months, you could be ready to join this booming field!

If you are interested in obtaining your CNA certification, find out more by requesting free information from any of the schools below!