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The Top Continuing Education Certifications for CNAs

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As a newly graduated or experienced Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) you may be looking for ways to expand your knowledge and skillset so you can be more confident in your abilities and provide better care to your patients. At HeartCert, we are proud to offer world-class CNA training and advanced healthcare training courses. In this article, we’ll share what we consider to be some of the top continuing education certifications for CNAs.

CNA smiling with both thumbs up in front of pink background

Why Continuing Education Matters for CNAs

Currently, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are not required to complete formal continuing education (CE) hours for license renewal; however, to maintain active status, CNAs must meet specific requirements, which vary by state.

For example, in Minnesota CNAs must work at least 8 hours performing nursing or nursing-related duties in a paid position every 24 months to remain active on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry. Whereas in Iowa, guidelines state that CNAs must work at least one day every 24 months in a paid nursing role to stay active. In Utah, where requirements are more demanding, 200 hours are required within a 24 month period. 

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, CNAs should check with their state’s Nursing Assistant Registry or Department of Health. While CE hours may not be required, CNAs can benefit from additional certifications to expand their skills and career opportunities.

 

Key Certifications to Advance Your CNA Career

Some individuals may be concerned that virtual CPR training is not as informative or effective as in-person training may be. However, research has shown that online CPR courses are just as effective as traditional classes. This study compared in-person instructor-led CPR courses with online computer-based courses. The results showed that both groups performed similarly in CPR skills assessments, demonstrating that online learning is just as effective as face-to-face instruction.

Trained Medication Aide (TMA) Course

Trained medication aide training gives CNAs the training needed to administer certain medications under supervision. In a TMA course, CNAs will also learn how to deliver high-quality patient care, adhere to facility medication policy, and follow safety protocols while administering medications and treatments. This is an ideal course for any CNA, but it is especially beneficial for those working in assisted living or long-term care facilities.

Find Out More and Register for TMA Course

 

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Basic Life Support (BLS) training covers essential skills like CPR, AED use, and emergency response. A BLS course is beneficial for CNAs because it gives them the ability to respond effectively in emergencies, potentially saving lives and providing critical support until advanced medical help arrives. BLS certification is required for many who hold a position in a hospital or home healthcare setting.

Learn More and Register for BLS Certification

 

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Another training CNAs may consider is Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). This course focuses on managing cardiac emergencies. Although CNAs are eligible to take this advanced training, most skills learned are typically outside of a CNA’s duties. They are intended for other healthcare providers, but this can be beneficial training for career growth and CNAs who are planning to transition into nursing roles.

How ACLS Training Prepares Healthcare Professionals for Emergency Situations

Find Out More and Register for ACLS

 

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is a specialized training for responding to pediatric emergencies. This training is recommended and may be required for certified nursing assistants working in pediatric or neonatal care settings.

Learn More and Register for PALS Training

How PALS Training Improves Emergency Response for Pediatric Patients

 

These are some of the top continuing education certifications that CNAs will find themselves taking to grow in their career and apply new skills in their day-to-day work. However, there are some additional courses and training that those wanting to get into other specialized areas of care may consider. Let’s look at those next. 

Additional Continuing Education Options For CNA’s

  • EKG Technician Certification – Learn to assist with cardiac testing and monitoring
  • Wound Care Certification (WCC) – Useful for CNAs in long-term or post-acute care
  • Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPNA) – Specialized training for end-of-life care
  • Restorative Nursing Assistant (RNA) – Focuses on mobility and rehabilitation support
  • Dementia or Alzheimer’s Care Certification – Helps CNAs provide better care in memory care settings

 

Choosing the Right Certification for Your Career Goals

As you can see, there are many different trainings available to CNAs looking to enhance their skills for better patient outcomes and career advancements. When choosing which courses are right for you and your goals, consider things like workplace requirements, time commitment and long-term benefits. This will help ensure the trainings you take align with your career aspirations.

 

Get Started with CNA Continuing Education Today

At HeartCert, our goal is to be the #1 trusted partner nationwide for CPR, AED, CNA, and advanced healthcare provider training. We believe that ongoing education is essential for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and other healthcare professionals to maintain their skills, stay current with industry standards, and deliver the best care to their patients. Explore our extensive continuing education trainings today and take that next step in your professional journey.

Get Started Today

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

How to Find the Best CNA Training Program

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Working as a CNA is an extremely rewarding career because you get to help people and feel good about the work that you’re doing in the world. But to become a CNA, you need to learn how to find the best CNA training program that works with the job you plan to pursue. We’ll cover various certified nursing assistant career opportunities, considerations for your CNA training program, key components of your training to ensure you’re getting the best education and certification, and where to find the best CNA training course for your needs.

Certified Nursing Assistant Career Opportunities

Once you obtain your CNA license, a bunch of doors unlock in a medical-based career. Jobs and environments that work well with a CNA certification include:

  • Nursing homes
  • Hospitals
  • Assisted living homes
  • Retirement communities
  • Home healthcare facilities
  • Clinics
  • Hospice
  • Schools
  • Government facilities
  • Rehabilitation facilities

If you intend to work in one of these areas, learning how to find the best CNA training program for your needs is crucial.

Why Should I Become a CNA?

Considerations for Your CNA Training Program

First things first, to learn how to find the best CNA training program, you need to know your current and future goals and how they correlate. Some considerations include:

  • Job requirements
  • Career advancement opportunities
  • State requirements
  • Prerequisite courses

If you plan on advancing in your career later, getting your CNA certification is often the first step. From there, you can easily tack on extra courses as needed. One of the biggest reasons most people get their CNA license is to give them job opportunities that aren’t available until the certification is obtained. Just make sure that the certification you’re trying to take matches the job you are applying for. On top of that, check to make sure that the course meets your state requirements for the position.

A Day in the Life of a CNA: What to Expect in This Rewarding Career

Key Components of Your CNA Certification

Getting your CNA certification takes a good amount of time since programs need to be a minimum length and all the course material needs to be covered within that timeline. As a result, most courses take between 4 and 12 weeks because they break them down into separate pieces. However, there are both virtual and in-person courses, and deciding which one works best is entirely up to you and how you learn. Oftentimes, virtual classes are the easiest for people to enroll in, but you also have to sign up early to ensure you get a spot since they fill up quickly. On top of that, some CNA courses may require in-person sessions to fully get accredited for the program, so be sure to look into your state requirements and job requirements before you enroll.

How Long Does CNA Training Take?

Where to Find the Best CNA Training Program

After learning how to find the best CNA training program, you’re likely ready to move on to the next step: finding and enrolling in a course that matches your goals and needs. Make sure that you’re finding a Red Cross-accredited course that supports your career goals and state requirements, and you’ll be good to go.

If you’re ready to enroll in a course today, HeartCert has great resources and CNA courses available. To find and register for one of our state-certified courses, get started by clicking below.

Register For a CNA Training Course

 

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

A Day in the Life of a CNA: What to Expect in This Rewarding Career

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Choosing to become a CNA is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do in the medical industry. As a certified nursing assistant, you get up close and personal with vulnerable patients to help them with daily tasks to enhance their way of life. This often includes children, older adults, people with certain medical conditions, and others who need a little more help with their daily tasks.

While a career as a CNA is extremely rewarding, it’s also hard to understand what comes with the job if you’ve never experienced it yourself. So, what’s a day in the life of a CNA like? What should you hope to expect in this rewarding career? Keep reading to learn what a CNA is, what a typical day looks like, determine whether you should become a CNA, and learn how to become a CNA.

CNA nursing assistants standing side by side

What Is a CNA?

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is someone who works in healthcare to provide care and assistance to patients in hospitals, clinics, assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. They work alongside nurses as a personal assistant of sorts, to handle the little tasks that would easily become overwhelming for nurses and doctors on their own. Usually, getting your CNA certification and becoming a certified nursing assistant is one of the first jobs that you can take while working your way up in the healthcare field. 

While doctors worry about diagnosing and prescribing treatments to patients, nurses manage care plans and administer medications while monitoring health and CNAs provide basic patient care like bathing, feeding, and assisting with daily activities. The level of education usually differs as well: doctors require a bachelor’s degree and medical school, RNs (nurses) require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing, and CNAs require a diploma and a short certification course.

 

What Does a Day in the Life of a CNA Look Like?

You can easily research to find out the day-to-day duties and job description for CNAs, but it’s hard to know exactly what goes into the job if you’ve never lived it. So, we’re going to go over the exact daily duties that you’d come to expect after getting your CNA license with a Red Cross certification course. We’ll cover your day from the time of your arrival down to your departure at the end of your shift.

Arrival: Beginning-of-Shift Tasks

At the beginning of your shift as a CNA, you’re essentially covering the brief of your “mission(s)” for the day. Typically, you’ll receive a report from the previous shift covering each patient’s conditions and needs for the day (or night). This report includes tasks done in the previous shift, what needs to be done in the new shift, it offers an assessment of the patient, and helps give you the information you need to start your day as a CNA.

Support: Companionship and Emotional Stability

As a CNA, you’re working 1:1 with numerous patients during a shift. From helping patients with their daily activities to monitoring their health and simply being a companion to becoming someone they trust. You offer your presence to patients as well as a source of emotional stability throughout the day. Oftentimes, being a CNA means that you’ll be helping people with their most intimate needs throughout the day, and a lot of trust is needed so they feel comfortable. On top of that, your emotional resilience and stability are always a must in healthcare.

Reporting: Vitals, Records, and Reporting

Multiple times throughout your shift, you’ll be reporting on your patients during each vital check, taking notes, and creating records of what you’ve done throughout the day or at night. These records are essential to the care and well-being of your patients and allow the next CNA to take over responsibilities during their shift without losing crucial information.

Assistance: Daily Activities

After receiving your patient reports, you’ll make your rounds to assess each patient and their needs. You’ll check vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, etc.), take care of hygiene (bathing, brushing hair and teeth, dressing, washing linens, etc.), help patients get out of or into beds and wheelchairs, ensure patients are drinking fluids and get refills, and fill out records as you progress.

Departure: End-of-Shift Tasks

At the end of your shift, daily duties and tasks need to be completed before handing off your patient to the next CNA. From updating final records to pass over to completing end-of-shift duties, you have some extra things to wind down your day. This may include cleaning up your work areas, completing any remaining tasks for your patients, doing a final round of vital checks, or updating your reports. Once everything is done, you hand off your reports and get the CNA taking over for the next shift the rundown on what was done and what’s still needed.

 

Should I Become a CNA?

If you are a compassionate individual with goals of helping others and want to make a positive impact in other people’s lives, becoming a CNA is one of the best careers you can start. In the role, you will help keep people safe, healthy, and happy by helping them with their day-to-day activities.

Some of the benefits of getting CNA training and becoming a certified nursing provider include:

    • High job demand in the industry
    • Making a positive impact
    • Flexible work schedules
    • Career advancement opportunities
    • Variety in daily tasks
    • And more

Related Blog: Why Should I Become a CNA

To answer the question, “Should I become a CNA,” ask yourself if your goals align with the daily duties within the job description and whether you would feel happy with that work. If you answered yes to those questions, becoming a CNA could be an extremely rewarding career move.

 

How Do I Become a CNA?

After seeing the day-to-day responsibilities of being a CNA and having a positive reaction to them, you might be wondering, “How do I become a CNA?” The easiest way to get your CNA license is to take the CNA training program and pass the exam. From there, you’re good to start applying at your favorite hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living locations, and other facilities.

Related Blog: How Long Does CNA Training Take?

If you’re wondering, Is there CNA training near me, HeartCert currently offers CNA training courses in several states across the country, including Minnesota, Iowa, and Georgia. If you’re ready to get your Red Cross CNA training to become a certified nursing assistant, our courses are one of the best ways to get started. To find and register for one of our state-certified classes, get started by clicking below.

Register For a CNA Training Course

 

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

How Long Does CNA Training Take?

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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a rapidly growing career position that is relatively easily attainable and gives individuals a fantastic foundation for a promising healthcare career. CNAs assist in providing care to patients and make a significant difference in their overall well-being. So, if you’ve been considering this career path, you’re likely wondering, how long does it take to become CNA certified? At HeartCert, we’ve had hundreds of individuals go through our comprehensive CNA training and can fill you in on what you can expect from the process, including how long it takes.

What is a CNA?

A CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant. They are responsible for providing basic patient care, such as helping with bathing, eating, using the restroom, and walking. CNAs take vital signs and may assist with medical procedures. The versatility and wide-ranging tasks of a CNA make them highly valued and essential team members in the healthcare industry, where they can make a significant difference in patients’ overall well-being.

Find Out More: What Kind of Work Does a CNA Do?

CNA Training: What to Expect 

In order to prepare students for their responsibilities as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), it’s essential to cover a wide range of information. 

Some of the topics covered include:

  • Anatomy
  • Basic nursing skills
  • Effective communication skills
  • Documentation requirements
  • Medical terminology
  • Patient care techniques

Students must be well-equipped with this knowledge to excel in their role and provide the best possible care for their patients.

How Long Does CNA Training Take?

The time it takes to complete a CNA training depends on the course you sign up for. There are several different models and program formats available, and the timeframe in which they take place will vary. Some programs are designed to be completed at your own pace, while others follow a full-time schedule with an intensive timeline for completion. Additionally, there are programs that are spread out over several months to accommodate different learning styles and scheduling needs.

Certified Nursing Assistant training typically consists of a minimum of 75 hours. Of these 75 hours, at least 16 hours consist of supervised practical training, which is conducted with a live person in a lab or a similar setting. This practical training allows CNA students to gain real-life, hands-on experience in a controlled environment, which is essential for preparing them for their role in a healthcare setting.

CNA training requirements will vary state by state. The federally required minimum is 75 hours, which must be completed in all states. Beyond that, some states may require additional hours as well. See the requirements for your state here.

CNA State Certification Exam

The state competency exam consists of two components: a written examination and a skills evaluation. During training you will be informed and prepared for taking the required examination. The purpose of the state exam is to ensure that the graduate has a comprehensive understanding of the nursing assistant’s role and can safely perform the duties expected of an entry-level nurse assistant.

CNA Training with HeartCert

The HeartCert Nursing Assistant Training Program offers students a chance to learn in a hands-on environment under the guidance of experienced licensed nurses. Our unique learning experience, coupled with a curriculum that meets or exceeds federal and state standards, ensures that our students are well-prepared for their role as CNAs.

At HeartCert, we recognize the need for flexibility. This is why we offer a variety of CNA training schedules that are designed to allow you to complete training requirements easily within your busy schedule.

With HeartCert’s comprehensive CNA training, students begin with an online curriculum. Before attending in-person sessions, students must complete the required online training. Following that, they will participate in classroom instruction, skills testing, and supervised practicals. After completing these steps, students can apply for employment or register for the state licensure exam if applicable.

Learn more about HeartCert CNA Training

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.