One needs to have a CNA certification in Tennessee if he or she wishes to work as a nursing assistant in this state. They require undergoing a nurse aide training program, passing the state examinations, and the federal and state criminal background checks before he or she can be admitted to the nurse aide registry.
One has to enroll in a state-approved training program first in order to become a nursing assistant. The training is valid for 2 years and one can apply for a state examination within that period. The training consists of 75 hours of classroom and practical training in a nursing facility under the supervision of a registered nurse. The course subjects include communication skills, resident rights and independence, mental health, safety and emergency procedures, infection control, and administration of CPR. The state requires the training facility to have at least 25 nursing skills in their curriculum. One can apply for the state exams if he or she has trained as a medical corpsman in the military or is a nursing graduate or student. They only need to show proof of their training such as a transcript or a diploma.
The state exams include both a written or oral portion and a manual skills test. The applicant is required to successfully perform all 5 skills that will be required to be demonstrated and have at least a 70% rating on the written exam. For Licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, they are required to submit their original transcript of records, social security card, photo ID, and fingerprint cards before they can be allowed to take the exam. Nursing students need to be able to present proof that they have finished Basics of Nursing or Nursing Fundamentals before they can take the test.
The state offers reciprocity for those who have current certification on another state. The applicant should have a current and active status on the TN Nurse Aide Registry and should be in good standing without any record of abuse or neglect of a resident. He should also have a clean criminal background and should not have any disqualifying offenses on his record. The state of Tennessee however has different requirements for those coming from Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. Those coming from Georgia are required to take the CNA examinations and those from Florida and North Carolina are required to undergo training and examinations in Tennessee. They also need to submit their social security card and valid identification.
The certification is renewed every 2 years and one should be able to produce proof of paid employment as a nursing assistant under the supervision of a registered nurse. The employer should also be one that is approved by the Division of Health Care Facilities. If the certification expires or lapses, the applicant will be required to undergo training and retake the examinations. Private work, work in a physician’s office, babysitting, and companion services will not be counted as paid work hours as nursing assistant. The applicant should be able to show proof of employment in the form of a stub, a notarized letter from the employer, and printout of payroll. They also need to submit their social security cards together with those proofs.
Click this link to find all of the CNA classes in Tennessee listed by city.