One of the most recognized CNA training programs in the United States is administered by the Red Cross.  The  American Red Cross CNA training classes are available throughout the US and are one of the most highly sought and respected training programs.  As of June 2009, there are over 30 Red Cross chapters that provide CNA training programs, ranging from four- 11 weeks depending on which course you sign up for.

In order to pass the Red Cross CNA training class, you will be required to fully participate in both the formal classroom portion of the course, as well as the clinical portion (where you will be assisting licensed RN’s in a real world hands on environment).   

After you have completed the course and prepared for the state licensing test the last step is to sit for the proctored state licensing board exam.  The examination has two sections, a written portion and a skills test. You can complete the entire exam in one day and takes approximately five hours and 30 minutes. The participant must successfully pass the Skills Test before taking the Written Test. The applicant will receive their test results on the same day of testing and know whether they passed or need to study and retake the certification exam again.  After having successfully completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam, you will receive your license number and records in the mail.

The following are minimum requirements for all Red Cross C.N.A. participants:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Cannot have any felony convictions within the last 7 years
• Must be free of all communicable diseases
• Cannot be pregnant

*Only in the event that your TB screening and/or background check does not clear, you will be able to receive a refund of your payment less the $35 screening fee. Once you have registered, the $35 screening fee is non-refundable.

While enrolled in the program, all participants must:

• Arrive on time, attentive and prepared for the days lesson.
• Attend all classes, only 6 missed hours permitted, all missed hours must be made up
• Pass final test with score of 80% or higher.

Please note that you will be responsible for transportation to both the classroom and clinical site.
Wear comfortable clothing. (Some classes involve kneeling and lying on the floor.)

By Barbara Johnson

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant has many advantages: there is presently a high demand for nursing assistants, the pay is excellent, there are many opportunities for advancement, and you get to care for people who want your help.  The national average salary for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is around $35,000.

There are many training options on your road to becoming CNA certified.  There are fast paced programs that can be completed in as little as two weeks (10 days) or if you want to go at a slower pace there are more in-depth programs that last up to eleven weeks.  Whichever course you decide to take, there are plenty of options and chances are you will be able to find a program that meets your needs.  For instance one of the largest providers the American Red Cross CNA training, has programs that meet nightly for between four -11 weeks.  Once you have completed the state required 75 hours of training, and passed your licensing test, you can expect a to see an average starting salary between $11/hour and $16/hour depending on where you are located.

Additionally as you become more experienced and receive further training, you can expect your pay to go up.  Also, many nurses’ assistants decide to further their training by going back to school to become licensed registered nurses, while continuing to work in the field.  They find that their unique hands on training helps them to grasp medical terminology better and ultimately command a higher salary once graduating with an associates or degree in nursing.

Besides your normal salary, you can also expect excellent benefits, such as paid vacation time, tuition reimbursement, in house training, retirement savings plans and health and medical benefits.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ , overall employment for a Certified Nursing Assistant is expected to grow some 28 percent between 2006 and 2016.  This is much greater than demand in most other similar industries.  Additionally more people are demanding in-home care, and this is expected to drive growth for CNA’s.

Starting your journey to become a CNA can be a very rewarding and satisfying career path. Each day you will get a chance to touch someone’s life, and make a difference. Furthermore, while other workers in different industries may be worrying about getting laid off, you can rest at night knowing that you are secure in your job and in high demand.  Even in tough economic times such as in a recession where companies are being forced to cut costs and lay off workers, nursing assistant’s jobs are secure.