CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT - CARE GIVER COURSE
Title: CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT - CARE GIVER COURSE
CNA Programs: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
Training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, is one of the fastest ways to start a career in healthcare. Whether you'd like to try out the nursing field before committing lots of time and money to the process or want to hit the ground running on your nursing career, completing a CNA program is a great option to consider.
In this ultimate guide to CNA programs, you'll learn everything you need to know about completing training to become a CNA. This guide covers ideal skills for working as a nurse's aide, what you need to get into a CNA training program, how long it takes to complete training, and what to expect from physical and online CNA programs.
What Are CNA Programs?
A CNA training program teaches aspiring nursing assistants the knowledge and practical skills they need to care for patients in a variety of healthcare settings. During CNA training, students also learn to work under registered nurses and other clinicians to provide the best possible care for patients.
CNA training programs include classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training at local healthcare facilities. Classes may be conducted in person or online, depending on the program. CNA training programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, and organizations.
To qualify for the CNA licensing exam in your state, you must complete a state-approved training program.
CNA licensing exams have two parts: a multiple-choice section and a clinical skills test. Many training programs are designed to help students pass the licensing exam, including extensive classroom instruction and hands-on training in clinical skills.
If you complete a program that is not accredited or approved by the state where you want to work, you may not be able to take the licensing exam, qualify for financial aid, or transfer your credits to other programs.
Desirable Knacks for Completing CNA Training
Do you have what it takes to be a successful CNA? You'll develop and hone the necessary skills during CNA training, but the best nurse's aides naturally possess certain personality traits, including the following:
- Communication Skills - The best CNAs have top-notch verbal and written communication skills. Certified nursing assistants must communicate clearly and directly with various people, including patients and their families, RNs, doctors and other clinical staff. They must also be able to complete reports and other documents to convey crucial written information.
- Attention to Detail - As a CNA, you must be able to discern non-verbal cues from patients under your care, so it's crucial to pay close attention to how they behave. Attention to detail also comes in handy when completing and analyzing various data, including patient charts and forms.
- Flexibility - No two days are alike when working as a nurse's aide, so it's vital to be flexible, adaptable and resilient. Due to nursing shortages, you may have to work long hours across varying shifts - another reason to be able to go with the flow.
- Patience - CNAs work with people who aren't feeling well and whose behavior can be erratic and stressful. Therefore, patience is a must for this profession.
- Empathy - It helps to be able to put yourself in patients' shoes as a certified nursing assistant. Cultivating a compassionate and caring bedside manner is key to thriving in this role.
- Optimism - CNAs often work under fast-paced, stressful conditions. Having an upbeat, enthusiastic personality will make it easier to endure those inevitable challenging moments, and it will make you a valuable addition to the healthcare team.
- Physical Strength - Finally, certified nursing assistants are on their feet for hours on end. They often must assist patients in and out of bed or otherwise provide hands-on care. Therefore, it helps to have decent physical strength and stamina to put up with the demands of this job.
Common Admission Requirements for a CNA Program
Are you ready to enroll in a CNA program? Prerequisites for CNA training programs vary. However, most programs require incoming students to meet these basic requirements:
- Minimum Age - Most CNA training programs only accept students who are 18 or older.
- KCSE mean grade D- minus
- Test Scores - Some training programs ask aspiring students for proof of their SAT or ACT scores, so you may have to produce those to be admitted.
- General Educational Requirements - Many CNA programs ask for copies of high school transcripts to confirm that applicants meet basic grade requirements.
- Vaccination Records - Many training programs require incoming students to provide proof that they are current on all required vaccinations and immunizations.
- Medical Exam - You may have to undergo a physical health exam and provide proof of such to be admitted into a CNA training program.
- Criminal Background Check - Clinical training involves working directly with actual patients, so many training programs require applicants to undergo criminal background checks before admission.
How Much Do CNA Programs Cost?
Tuition costs for CNA training programs vary by program, institution, geographic location, duration and depth of curriculum. However, the typical program costs anywhere from Ksh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000, with an average cost of around Ksh 80,000. This training is very affordable compared with earning a two-year associate degree in nursing, or ADN, which costs an average of Ksh 480,000 per year.
You can expect to pay additional costs beyond tuition to complete your CNA training. You'll also likely have to pay for textbooks, educational materials, scrubs and lab or technology fees. You may also have to spend a bit before starting your actual training for application fees, medical exams and criminal background checks.
How Long Do CNA Programs Take?
One of the best things about CNA training programs is that you can complete them quickly, allowing you to hit the ground running with your nursing career.
CNA training programs must provide a minimum of 75 hours of instruction and at least 16 hours of clinical training. However, many institutions expand upon these requirements, so it's crucial to check the minimum training requirements for the institution where you want to study as a certified nursing assistant.
Most CNA training programs are 4 to 6 months long. The typical program offers 120 hours of instruction, including classroom work and clinical training. You can expect to spend around 2 months in the classroom and around 2 months completing clinical requirements.
What You'll Learn in CNA Classes
During your CNA training, you'll complete classes covering everything you need to know to work effectively as a certified nursing assistant. Some of the areas of study covered by these classes include the following:
- Activities of Daily Living - You will learn the fundamentals of assisting patients with activities of daily living, or ADLs, like bathing, eating, drinking and getting around.
- Basic Certifications - During CNA training, you will obtain certifications in basic life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or BLS CPR, first aid and the use of automated external defibrillators, or AEDs.
- Patient Privacy - CNA training covers the basics of patient privacy laws, including maintaining compliance with the Health Act.
- Vital Signs - You'll learn how to take patient vital signs for things like blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood sugar and oxygen saturation levels. These programs also teach you about normal ranges for each, how to report findings to supervising RNs and how to communicate results to patients.
- Maintaining Safety and Hygiene - In your CNA program, you'll be taught about infection control and the proper use of personal protective equipment, or PPE, including gloves, masks and gowns.
- Working as a CNA - You will also be prepared for how to navigate your job as a CNA in the real world, including the fundamentals of workplace safety and communication.
- Legal Information - Your CNA program will also introduce you to laws and ethics regarding patient care and working in the healthcare field.
CNA training programs also prepare students to take and pass the licensing exam. They often provide study tips, practice exams and opportunities for group study with classmates.
Online CNA Classes: Things to Know
Although there's no such thing as a 100% online CNA program, many programs offer a hybrid model that allows students to complete much of the coursework online. Coursework may be completed synchronously at scheduled times, or it may be completed asynchronously on your own schedule. Clinical training must always be completed in person at local healthcare facilities.
Online CNA training is an excellent solution for busy, working adults who want to become certified nursing assistants. However, if you struggle with time management or need the engagement of being in class physically, you should seek out on-campus programs instead.
FAQ About CNA Programs
Where Can I Find CNA Training Programs?
Community colleges and vocational schools offer the majority of CNA training programs across Kenya. However, some larger hospitals offer in-house training for aspiring CNAs.
What Should I Look for in a CNA Program?
Choose a CNA program approved by the state board of nursing in the state where you will be working. Contact the state directly to confirm that the program has the appropriate credentials.
Even online CNA training programs have in-person components, so make sure that the one you choose offers clinical training experiences at facilities in your area.
Find out the average pass rate for any program you consider. Avoid programs with very low pass rates.
Finally, select a program that will help you find employment upon completion.
