With recovery from the recession being slow at best, and unemployment still high, nowadays many people are re-evaluating their situation and deciding to embark on new employment journeys. One path that is becoming increasingly common is that of becoming a CNA. CNA’s or Certified Nursing Assistants are individuals who report directly to the staff Registered Nurse, and are responsible for taking care of the basic needs of their patients. This may include feeding, dressing, or bathing them, and/or regularly recording their vital signs.
This position differs from that of a medical assistant in that, the pay is slightly different (as Medical Assistants report directly to the Physician, and require a different level of training, they generally earn more), but is similar in that it is also a ‘team helper position’. Despite the fact that that the two terms tend to be used interchangeably, CNA’s are also different from HHA’s (Home Health Aides) in that HHA’s usually work within the home of the patient, and depending on the duties required, may need less training and/or certification.
For those looking to become a CNA, a state-administered CNA exam must be passed, and the exact requirement of that exam vary from state to state. In some states, the test preparation course is only two weeks, and in others it may require extensive study of theory, and several months of clinical training. Regardless of what each particular state’s requirements may be however, all states require a mastery of a certain set of basic skills. These may include the measurement of vital signs, patient care documentation, and an understanding of how to move patients, physiology and anatomy.
For those who do not have the time, opportunity, or budget to take a campus CNA course however, a CNA class online offers a viable alternative. In an online program, the learning process is often asynchronous (meaning that the student need not watch the professor’s web cast at the same time that he or she is delivering it. Additionally, in many cases, training hours can be cut or extended based on how exactly the student chooses to study. A CNA class online offers a degree of flexibility unattainable within a typical campus program -not to mention the convenience and savings of studying at home. There are however a few distinct disadvantages to studying this way. For those who are only studying online, there are no live interactions with students, trainers or professionals or actual practice with patients, procedures or equipment. Additionally, for those who are already CNA’s or seeking further study in advanced procedures typically beyond those assigned to regular CNA’s (such as catheter insertion or tube feeding), they do still require supplementary direct clinical training.
For pre-existing CNA’s however, who have been certified before, or whose license may have simply expired or lapsed, a CAN class online course can be an excellent way to refresh one’s knowledge, and re-certify. Additionally, for those who are working as caregivers for loved ones, and or working private duty online classes may also be ideal.
For those seeking to expand their horizons and/or break into a new area of employment, certification as a CNA represents a great opportunity. The availability of online classes also makes it a field that is accessible to those who may not be able to make it to campus locations, whose current work may require unusual hours and/or who may already be predisposed with having to take of a loved one. At the same time however, the asynchronousity of the online program may also mean that questions from lectures may be difficult to be answered, and that the would-be CNA is missing out on valuable field practice and exposure, and initially, may not have the tools to do as well in their work as other CNA’s.
