How to become a CNA – FAQ

If you decide to go into nursing, specifically becoming a CNA, i’m sure you’ll have a load of questions running around your mind. The nursing field can be very rewarding, yet it’s still something you need to think about before undertaking, and it’s natural to have some questions about it. We’ve made a list of some of the most frequently asked questions we receive via the website or email, most of which are from beginners or from people still thinking about becoming a CNA.

 

 

• Q: I have a Certified Medical Assistance certificate. Can i work as a Certified Nursing Assistant without being certified as a CNA?

 

• A: – No, you are required by law to have a CNA certificate if you wish to work as one.

 

• Q: Will i undergo a background check before i can become a CNA? – What kind of stuff will they be looking for?

• A: Yes, you will be required by law to undergo a background check before working as a CNA. The only thing that definately will not harm your chances of becoming a CNA are minor traffic offenses. Everything else will be looked at, but this does not necessarily mean if they find anything that you’ll have no chance of becoming a CNA, it just depends on the offence.

 

• Q: What exactly is a CNA?

• A: A CNA, which stands for Certified Nursing Assistant, is a person who cares for people with a broad and varying range of health care need. Usually, a CNA will work alongside an RN (Registered Nurse) or an LPN (Licensed Nurse Practitioner) and/or a Doctor.

 

• Q: As a CNA what will my basic job duties be?

• A: As a Certified Nursing Assistant you must first and foremost, be in generally good health yourself. You will be required at times to stand for long periods of time, and you’ll need to lift things, move things around, including the patients!. As a CNA you must have reasonable senses ie: You’ll need to be able to see and hear quite well. Things like Reading, Writing, and the ability to do basic math and calculations are also a pre-requisite.

 

• Q: How do i become a CNA?

• A: To become a Certified Nursing Assistant you’ll need to complete and pass your CNA Exam. Before this, you’ll need to actually do a CNA Training course. Each different State in the US have different pre-requisites for this, and most have a minimum amount of hours that you’ll need to complete. This does consist of both clinical and classroom time however, so your time learning will be split between both. After training is complete, you’ll take the State CNA exam and will be required to pass at least 80% of it in order to become certified. CNA training can be found for free in some states, or as a paid course. Some employers will pay for it for you, and some courses can be found online… have a look around.