New York CNA Program Basics
In 1987, the U.S federal government mandated that all states authorize training courses for all potential nursing assistants and maintain a registry listing all licensed nurse aides. The state of New York has approved hundreds of CNA training programs and now offers certification to those able to pass the competency examination. These training programs will prepare nurse aides, if they get certified, in assisting medical nurses with their daily tasks. Obtaining CNA certification in New York allows nurse aides to enter a rapidly-growing healthcare career. In order for the aspiring nurse aide to be eligible to sit for the certification exam, he or she must take a CNA training course that has been approved by New York’s Department of Health and this program must include a minimum of 100 training hours. The nurse aide course must include classroom and practical training. While there are numerous of legitimate CNA training courses, many of which are advertised virtually everywhere, interested students must be cautious of any program which claims to offer fully online certification, as the state of New York does not currently approve such online training programs.
New York CNA Training Requirements
- All interested individuals who would like to become New York CNAs, even those with no nursing educational backgrounds must attend a state-approved training course.
- While New York’s federal regulations require that all CNA courses offer a minimum of 100 hours of total training, most programs in the state typically offer 130 hours of combined classroom studies and hands-on, supervised clinical practice.
- These state-approved courses offer training in the following areas: basic nursing skills, anatomy, physiology, personal care skills, mental health needs, cognitively impaired resident care, restorative services, and resident’s rights.
- In addition to the classroom training, these CNA training programs also offer supervised internships in which trainees care for patients in long-term care facilities under the guidance of an instructor, usually an experienced nurse or RN.
New York CNA Certification Renewal
- Renewal of Certification in New York is done every 2 years.
- A pre-printed renewal form will be mailed out to the nursing assistant 2- 3 months prior to the expiration date of his or her license.
- If this paperwork is not received for some reasons, CNAs may obtain a renewal form by contacting New York’s Nurse Aide Registry or visiting their website.
- Requirement for recertification is that the CNA must have been employed, performing nursing or nursing-related services for at least eight hours for pay within the past 24-month period.
- Completed renewal form(s) with required documentations and fees must be mailed to the return address which is indicated in the packet.
New York CNA Certification Reciprocity
- New York is one of the states in the U.S that offer reciprocity to CNAs that are relocating to NY State.
- An application for reciprocity must be submitted by the transferring CNA to obtain certification in New York.
- The CNA must have an active certification that is in good standing on his or her home state’s registry.
- Along with the reciprocity application, the nurse aide is also required to submit a clear copy of his or her existing certificate and settle all required processing fees.
- Once the reciprocity application is approved, the CNA may challenge the New York CNA certification assessment.
- The nurse aide must pass the state examination to acquire certification in NY.
New York CNA Certification Benefits
- All candidates who are able to earn CNA certification in New York, and who are placed upon state’ official nurse aide registry, are eligible to work in any nursing home or long-term care facility all over the state of New York.
- With the state’s population continuing to age, nursing aide jobs will be surely stable and in demand for many years to come.
