Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) through online CNA programs is becoming increasingly popular as the field is rapidly expanding. Indeed, available positions in nursing, psychiatric, and home health aide care are expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. CNAs will especially be in demand in the home health care market as an aging population will require more medical care in their homes. While many people have rewarding careers as CNAs, experience as a CNA can also be a great way to decide whether you’d like to further a career in nursing as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN);

online RN programs are also an option for those looking to jump right into registered nursing. Read on to learn more about being a CNA and how online CNA programs can help you enter the nursing profession.

What do online CNA programs qualify graduates to do?

Online CNA programs prepare students both practically and emotionally for the job of certified nursing assistant. Although state requirements vary, generally upon completion of an accredited program and the successful passing of a competency exam, a CNA is placed on the state’s registry of CNAs, which provides proof that he or she has completed a training program. For more information on your state’s requirements, you should contact your

State Nurse Aide Registry and/or State Licensing Board. Note also that workers in health care facilities may have to submit to drug tests and criminal background checks in order to secure employment.

What qualifications are need to enter online CNA programs?

Online CNA programs generally require a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.E.D.) for enrollment. Specific program requirements vary, so read descriptions carefully.

What are online CNA programs like?

As most states require a CNA to have both educational and practical training, online CNA programs often have both classroom and clinical components. You will likely have to pass a competency exam in addition to completing a certain number of hours of supervised hands-on work in a medical setting in order to successfully complete the program.

Most online CNA programs are offered through technical schools or community colleges and include coursework such as:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Body Mechanics
  • Communication
  • Infection Control
  • Nutrition
  • Personal Care Skills
  • Resident Rights

Online CNA programs can take anywhere from one to six months to complete, but the majority last between six and 12 weeks.

What do CNAs do?

CNAs work mainly in hospitals, nursing and residential care centers, mental health facilities, and in patients’ homes; they are also often referred to as “direct care workers” as their job duties usually entail taking care of patients in the long term. Specific job duties vary by work setting, but generally CNAs may take vital signs; help patients eat, bathe, dress, and walk; reposition patients in their beds; change bedpans and bed linens; observe patients and report changes to supervisors; serve meals; tidy patients’ room; escort patients to other parts of the facility; and help set up equipment and stock supplies.

What qualities should CNAs have?

CNAs must be great communicators and multitaskers and also be able to work as part of a health care team, taking direction from doctors and nursing supervisors. Patience, compassion, understanding, and a strong desire to help others are also good qualities for a CNA to have.

What is the salary and job outlook for CNAs?

According to the

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median hourly earnings of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants were $10.67 while those of home health aides were $9.34 in May 2006; psychiatric aides had median hourly earnings of $11.49. Note that in addition to salary, jobs in hospitals and psychiatric care facilities also may provide paid sick leave, hospital and medical benefits, overtime pay, pension plans, and at least one week of paid vacation after one year of service.

Job prospects for nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations with especially high growth in the home health care sector; the BLS notes this increase “will arise from a combination of rapid employment growth and the need to replace the many workers who leave the occupation each year.”

Why choose online CNA programs? Online CNA programs enable you to train to be a certified nursing assistant without leaving your job; even if you do leave your job to go to school full-time, CNA programs are relatively short, allowing you to enter a new profession in just a matter of weeks. One of the greatest advantages, though, to online CNA programs is convenience: you can take classes and study on your own schedule at your own pace. Also, you can save money as online CNA programs are often less expensive than traditional learning, and you will also fewer expenses for books and transportation.