Receiving a CNA Certification in Nebraska is required before you can work as a nursing assistant in the state. Being a certified nursing assistant in Nebraska can be one of the best ways for one to gain exposure to the healthcare field as well as advance into higher positions along the way. The training requirement does not cost that much and a career in healthcare is one of the most in-demand in the industry today.
To start with, one should enroll at a state-approved nurse aide training program first. The program should be one that is approved by the Nebraska Department of health and should contain the needed curriculum. The training includes both a classroom lecture as well as laboratory practice. The program is made to prepare students for work in long-term care facilities where they will care for the elderly as well as for those who are ill. Nurse assistants are usually employed in cases where acute hospital care is needed, adult care, home health settings, assisted living and rehabilitation of patients.
The course consists of at least 75 hours of course work which would also include prescribed hours of clinical practice. There is a program which offers 6.5 credit hours of training as well as the needed workbooks. Students are required to wear uniforms which consist of white clothes and shoes as well as a watch. In order to be admitted for a training program, one should pass a completed application form, a negative TB test result for the past 12 months, basic reading and math skills, as well as pass the state and federal criminal background check. These are all required to determine if an applicant could really deliver personal care for patients.
After completing the training program, you can now apply to take the nurse aide exam. This comprises of both a written or oral exam as well as a practical demonstration of nurse aide skills. You should successfully pass both parts of the exam before you can be issued a certificate. To know more about the exam, you should contact the Nebraska nursing assistant registry. After you have completed the training and taken the test you can be placed on the state’s registry allowing you to be hired or apply for regular work as a nursing assistant in a long-term care facility. You can use the NE Health and Human Services online license verification system to check a workers certification status at any time.
Those who also have a current certification from another state can also apply for reciprocity. They need to submit a copy of their certification as well as their social security card. They should also be in good standing as well as pass the background check on both state and federal levels.
The license is renewed every 2 years and the state requires at least 8 hours of paid work as a CNA for the past 24 months. There is also a required 12 hours of in-service training per year before one can renew the certification. One can also add some specialization to his certificate by taking advanced courses in Medication Aide which will allow him to administer medication to a patient.
Click this link to locate all of the CNA classes in Nebraska by city.