Certification or a license is required to work as a nurse assistant.
Individuals seeking a career in the healthcare field often begin in entry-level positions such as that of a certified nurse assistant (CNA). Serving as a CNA makes you responsible for providing a majority of the personal care and assistance for patients who need help with daily living tasks. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 19 percent increase in job openings for CNAs between 2008 and 2018, almost anyone can join this entry-level profession. Doing so requires certification or a license which you can get assistance in getting if you know how.
Instructions
1. Contact your state licensing board. Speak to a representative from the nursing licensing board in your state to learn if the agency certifies nurse aides or if a different state agency handles this. For example, the department of health and environment oversees CNA licensing in the state of Kansas. Call or email the agency that does oversee CNAs to ask questions about the licensing process or qualifications to become a CNA. Get referrals for training classes and programs near you as well as any funding that may cover a portion or all of the cost of the nurse assistant training.
2. Apply for financial help. Visit the workforce center or state employment agency in your community to learn what assistance they can provide financially to help you get a CNA license. The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides funds for individuals who need short-term training to enter a career that’s in high demand. Often CNA courses qualify for this funding, making it possible for you to get your certification without paying a dime. Additional funds may also be available through federal or state economic stimulus packages that focus on helping dislocated workers find jobs.
3. Seek out academic help. Find out if your school employs a tutor that specializes in helping nursing and other healthcare career students. Review topics covered in your CNA class and study for upcoming exams. If no tutor exists, stay after class and ask your instructor any questions you have about the material being covered. Form a study group of other students in your CNA class to review the information and prepare for the CNA licensing exam once the training program is finished.
4. Find an employer. Contact local nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare facilities in your community to learn if any of these employers would sponsor you to take CNA training. Some employers choose to pay for the cost of the training if a CNA commits to working for them for a specific time period after training is complete.
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