Certified Nursing Assistant Registration

CNA registration (Certified Nursing Assistant) means that you must be registered on the state nursing board databases, including the federal database (Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank, or HIPDB for short). This info is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing – NCSBN, which is a non-profit organization that operates as a collective national nursing board comprised of 60 Member Boards.

Board members include 1 in all 50 states, Washington DC and all US territories. The NCSBN was founded in 1978, as organisers realised the need for regulation within nursing, excluding organisations representing professional nurses.

The main goal and responsibilities of the NCSBN is to inform about, and enforce a set of nursing standards, while keeping the Nursing Assistive Personnel Registry up to date. Licensees in this database include Certified Nursing Assistant I (CNA), Certified Nursing Assistant II (CNA II) and Medication Assistant Certified (MA-C). The NCSBN operates as a national ‘watchdog’, which co-ordinates issues that arise relating to discipline, education, and certification. Certain info, such as warnings and disciplinary actions taken against a CNA or nurse by a state board is shared with the NCSBN, which then compiles and stores the info, providing background resources for disciplinary issues and other actions taken.

When a complaint is made against a Certified Nursing Assistant, they may then become the subject of an investigation, which can then lead to an informal conference, and then when necessary a formal hearing. Actions addressing the issue of complaint might simply be resolved by re-educating the nurse, or restricting their practise in some way, however each action will carry certain specific probationary conditions. Where necessary, and in extreme cases where a CNA is found liable, a nursing assistant can have their license revoked. In this instances, all disciplinary actions will then become public record. In addition to this, any nurse or CNA holding a criminal conviction related to the functions of their work is obligated to report this to the board. The board will then proceed to determine if the offenders license should be revoked. In most cases, applicants convicted of a criminal offense will not be eligable for certification.

Federal regulations are also put in place, in order to help combat abuse and fraud, both in the health insurance industry and the health care delivery system.

In accordance to the NCSBN Standards for Assistive Personnel, CNA I  (certified nursing assistants) are bound by law to conform and practise to the following standards and regulations:

• Performs nursing tasks and functions within the range of functions authorized in the Nurse Practice Act and rules governing nursing.
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity in performing nursing tasks/functions/activities
• Bases nursing tasks/functions/activities on education, training and the direction of the supervising nurse.
• Accepts accountability for one’s behavior and actions while assisting the nurse and providing services to patients.
• Performs delegated aspects patient’s nursing care.
• Assists in observing patients and identifying patient needs.
• Communicates progress toward completing delegated nursing tasks/functions/abilities, as well as any problems or changes in a patient’s status.
• Seeks clarification if unsure of expectations.
• Uses educational and training opportunities as available.
• Takes preventive measures to protect client, others and self.
• Respects client’s rights, concerns, decisions and dignity.
• Functions as a member of the health care team, contributing to the implementation of an integrated health care plan.
• Respects client property and the property of others.
• Protects confidential information unless obligated by law to disclose the information.

In addition to this, employers that are found to deliberately or irresponsibly ignore board protocol and standards, eg: expanding the functions of a CNA, will be subject to disciplinary action. Institutions violations are recorded into the various public health databases, such as the HIPDB, just the same as an individual nurse found to be in violation would be.