Those looking to become legally certified nurses must first complete a training course at an accredited educational facility. This training can range from six to 12 weeks, depending on the school and state examination requirements. A CNA student must have a minimum of 72 to 100 hours of training in the field along with clinical experience as part of the course curriculum. Some hospitals offer CNA programs to eligible employees that have much more on-the-job training than a typical CNA training program.
A legally certified nurse must complete a number of courses for this type of nursing profession. Coursework includes taking vital signs, medical terminology, body mechanics, admitting, transferring and discharging procedures and other basic medical skills. Advanced coursework includes clinical lab skills and infection control procedures, which are done primarily through an internship or at a clinical lab under the direction of an instructor. Other courses in nursing are also required, such as patient relations, patient care and unique patient needs.
The most popular way to become a legally certified nurse is to complete a nursing program at a local technical school. Some well-known technical schools include ITT Technical Institute, which has more than 100 campuses around the nation, or DeVry, which has more than 90 locations in the U.S. Both of these schools have accredited, certified nursing programs as well as degree programs for nurses. Other technical schools can be found in almost every state or major city that offers a certified nursing course or program.
A CNA is the most basic nursing profession in the field but does offer a salary based on experience. According to Payscale.com, a first-year CNA can expect to make between $19,000 and $30,000 a year, depending on the employer and the state. CNAs with more than 20 years of experience can make up to $35,000 annually. Medical-Career-Training.com states that the job outlook is promising for certified nurses and will grow faster than average through 2014. The health care industry is also expected to grow rapidly because of the aging Baby Boomer population.