CNA classes online provide a way for those who would like to earn a certificate as a nursing assistant without having to attend a traditional training program in a certain facility or school. It is an ideal setup especially for those who have current jobs or employment at the moment and cannot afford to lose it for the sake of earning a certification. Hence, by taking nursing assistant classes online, one can earn an education without having to sacrifice their precious time and source of financial income.
Because the various states in the US do not have the same standards or requirements in order to become a certified nurse aide, one should be careful about taking online nursing assistant classes. In many cases the particular state that you are in may not accept applicants who have finished their nurse aide training online. So you should know first what the state’s requirements are for the state nurse aide certification registry before enrolling yourself in an online training class. This is due to the fact that some online classes do not offer the required practical hands-on training that is necessary in order to complete CNA training in most U.S states. Always take precautions before enrolling in a program, due to the fact that many states require schools to be pre-approved to meet specific state and federal standards. You can read more about each specific states nursing assistant certification requirements here.
If you are looking forward to work in a state which allows students of online nursing assistant classes to take the state certification exams, then you need to start looking for the best CNA online class. Since there are plenty that are available when you search online, you should set-up standards as to what schools are accepted and accredited by the United States government. A lot of such schools often come from outside the territory of the US and have a different standard or accreditation than those which are used here. Aside from that, you should also choose an online class which provides for a certification for your practical training. They should have partnerships with local facilities or hospitals where you can spend the hands-on training to get the experience necessary for the job.
Most online nursing assistant classes offer the same subjects and courses that are given in actual vocational school, nursing home courses, and college training programs. Such courses include: basic patient care, laboratory procedures, basic records keeping, human anatomy and physiology, communication skills, medical terminology, and the duties and responsibilities of a health care provider. One of the major advantages of taking nurse aide classes online is that you get to study and learn such courses at your own pace. The course study guide will often be sent to you in an e-mail or is posted at a website. You will be able to study at your free time as well finish them at your own pace. This way you can spend your time the way you want it to be unlike when you need to attend an actual class.
You will be able to contact your personal instructor if you need some clarification or further explanation or instructions with a particular subject. Aside from this, the cost of the class is often cheaper than those from training facilities. You may however, need to contact a nursing facility or other medical institutions in order for you to comply with the required practical training for nurse aides.
Tips Before Enrolling in an Online CNA Training Program
1. Search for accredited online nursing assistant programs that provide the proper curriculum and hourly training to meet state and federal standards. The current federal government regulations require all nurse aide schools to provide at least 75 hours of course training and 16 hours of clinical hands-on experience. Do be aware that all U.S states require students to be at least 16 years old and some have an age requirement of above 18 years old.
2. Make sure the state you are in accepts online programs including the one you are interested in by contacting the state’s department of health, state licensing board, or Nurse Aide Registry. Popular states such as California allow a portion of the training requirement be conducted through a internet instruction. However, there still needs to be a physical skills portion conducted in an offline school location. Not all states allow online training and each state has different requirements and regulations. So it’s important that you not skip this step.
3. Before enrolling in a program many will require you to have a physical exam, and perform a state and federal background check. In addition they will want you to submit identifying documents such as a government issues photo I.D as well as immunization records. Often the cost of these exams and screenings are to be paid by the student. Often those who wish to be trained as a nursing assistant can find many employers that will pay for training and even offer them a job on successful completion of their certification. Before paying to enroll in a school program you may want to check with your local nursing homes and health care centers to see if they offer a nurse aide internship program with free classes.
4. When enrolling in a program you will want to make sure you have all of the details to complete both your classroom instruction and your clinical practice. Most accredited online CNA schools offer a location to visit to complete the clinical work obligations. This will often be checking in with an instructor or registered nurse who is coordinating the class.
5. Once you have completed the program you will want to schedule a date to take the certification exams. State testing costs are not frequently included in the cost of school tuition and will be an extra expense. The exams will often be a two part test that includes a written exam and a manual demonstration exam. Normally the school you used to receive your online CNA training will point you toward taking your exams. You can also contact your states nurse aide registry to find the latest information about certification requirements.
Leslie Edwards says
I am looking for Cna classes in Lake Charles, la. In classroom or online, preferably online.