An online nursing assistant certificate program prepares students to become nursing assistants in a variety of settings. For example, if they work in an emergency room, nursing assistants are responsible for checking and maintaining equipment, taking vital signs and reporting results to supervising nurses. Nursing assistants who want to work in extended care wards or intensive care units learn how to feed, bathe and dress patients. These programs typically last two to six months and require students to have their high school diploma or GED, according to Nursing-School.org. Students should choose programs that are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accredited Commission to have their courses recognized by future nursing schools, according to NursingAssistantGuides.com.
In many states, an online nursing assistant certificate program might not be fully available because students also must have exposure to labs and clinical experiences. They are legally required to gain hands-on experience. An online program usually sets up an arrangement for a student to work at a local health care facility near her so that she can meet her clinical requirements, according to NursingAssistantGuides.com. However, although they attend labs or advanced lectures at their learning institution and complete a certain number of hours in a clinic, students can complete all of their classroom instruction modules online. They must have access to a computer and a high-speed Internet connection to use discussion boards and chat rooms as well as video lectures. They additionally can submit assignments and exams online. After completing a nursing assistant online certificate program, students must complete a certification examination given by their individual state. They then are considered certified nursing assistants and are placed on their state registry of nurse aides.
Like classes in on-campus programs, classes in a nursing assistant online certificate program cover topics such as medical terminology, pharmacology and the fundamentals of nursing. Students additionally study infection control, communication skills, body mechanics, nutrition, anatomy, physiology and resident rights, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some programs may also expose students to clinical procedures for medical assisting and even complementary healing practices such as massage therapy or acupuncture--the insertion of needle tips at particular points of the skin to treat pain or disease, according to the University of Minnesota and Princeton University.
With online nursing assistant training, individuals can find work in hospitals, nursing care facilities and home health agencies. Nursing assistants also can find employment in residential care facilities, outpatient centers and government agencies in addition to family and individual services. These professionals can complete further training to become medical assistants, licensed practical nurses or registered nurses as well.
The demand for nursing assistants remains strong as the population ages and chronic diseases become more prevalent. Employment of nursing assistants is expected to increase 18 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median hourly wages of these professionals in May 2008 were $11.46, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.