Free CNA training is available for everyone who meets the criteria for becoming a certified nursing assistant. There are some people who are prohibited by law from working in a medical facility. These include those who have committed certain offences as well as those who previously passed their CNA certification but had their certificates revoked when they were found guilty of assaulting or neglecting a patient or taking their property.
The entitlement to free CNA training is laid down by Federal laws and regulations but only applies if you work for certain facilities. Under these laws, if a long term care facility receives Medicare or Medicaid funding they must reimburse costs. These costs include tuition and training fees as well as the cost of sitting the exams for those who pass their certified nursing assistant certification within 12 months of completion of the program.
What does CNA training consist of?
In order to gain your CNA certification you must complete your CNA training at a state recognized nurse’s aide training program and then pass the relevant exam. The nurse’s aide training program must deliver a minimum of 75 hours of training although some offer more. You will spend the majority of your tuition time in the classroom learning the theory of looking after the basic needs of patients. If you decide to study online, this is the portion of the course that you will cover. You will be tested on this theory via multiple choice questions on the CNA exam.
Roughly a third of the 75 hour training will be devoted to learning and practicing patient care skills. You need to have practical experience looking after patients as these skills will be tested on the certification exam. When working as a certified nursing assistant you will be responsible for feeding and bathing patients. You may have to dress the patient too and you will have a lot of one on one interaction. You will be best placed to keep an eye on your patients to see what their progress is like. Is their condition improving or deteriorating? In theory you should be able to spend time chatting to the patients and relieving the boredom of their stay but in reality you will probably be too busy to spend more than a couple of minutes talking. Most nursing assistants are expected to keep patient rooms clean which includes changing bed linen and dealing with bedpans.
You will have to check their vital signs and record relevant information on their medical records. Most CNA’s won’t be allowed to draw blood although some states do allow nursing aides to assist with this task. You will also be responsible for setting up medical equipment in preparation for a patient exam.
Is it worth taking free CNA training online?
It depends on your style of learning but most people find free CNA training online gives them more flexibility when it comes to studying the theory associated with this role. But remember you will have to find somewhere to do your clinical experience training as these practical skills will be tested in your certification exam.
