Kaplan College has several campuses across the country. The college offers a nursing assistant program in which students learn long-term-care patient needs, rehabilitative nursing, body mechanics, observation and charting along with prevention management for catastrophe and unusual occurrences. Students who complete certification through Kaplan can obtain entry level employment as an acute care certified nursing assistant - level 1; long-term care certified nursing assistant - level 1; private home companion; and registry home care companion.
The American Red Cross nurse assistant program is available in 36 cities nationwide. This low-cost, comprehensive program prepares students to enter the workplace as a CNA in their state, as the courses are geared toward each individual state's requirements. Skills taught in the program include helping people stay independent, taking blood pressure and respiration, understanding and helping patients in pain, understanding human development, being sensitive to patients, improving communication skills, understanding medical terms and launching a career as a nurse assistant.
Local community colleges offer a host of degree, diploma and certification courses to residents and nonresidents. Many offer courses for certified nursing assistant programs. Classes for a CNA course should include lessons in anatomy, physiology, basic nursing skills, nutrition and infection control among other things. It should also include hands-on experience in a clinical setting and preparation for state examinations.
Many certified nursing assistants get their training on the job. It is not uncommon for health care facilities such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities to offer free training for their employees. These courses are offered free of charge when you are hired on, but in most cases you are required to commit to a certain length of employment once your training is completed. The training is typically full time and culminates in you taking the state certification examination.