Although course requirements vary by state, Oregon is typical with its 150-hour standard. Lane Community College in Eugene, for example, breaks instruction down into 75 hours of clinical instruction and 75 hours of laboratory work over the course of a quarter. Nurses teach students among other things about sterilization, sanitation, patient needs, the role of a CNA, how to assist fragile patients, how to read clinical charts and the scope of practice of CNAs. Courses are designed to prepare students to succeed on their state examination as well as in the workplace.
Community colleges are some of the most reputable and affordable schools teaching CNA courses. As public schools with mandates to further vocational education, they have state-set standards. Many community colleges with CNA courses also have LPN and RN diploma courses and offer students an opportunity to come back later to work with the same instructors toward higher-level certifications and degrees, Private vocational schools also offer CNA courses, usually at higher costs. They are not bound by state curriculum and are sometimes offer more of a CNA exam preparatory course. Additionally, health care providers, particularly skilled nursing facility systems which rely heavily on CNAs, offer courses from their staff nurses, often at low-cost or for free. Free tuition usually requires a commitment to work for the SNF when the course is complete.
Most CNA courses offer CNA-1 curricula. These courses are general and can result in students working as CNAs in long-term, sub-acute rehabilitation and acute facilities. Classes are well-rounded, conveying theory and a standard set of interventions. In some cases, schools require students to take a half-day orientation so they can make sure that the job of CNA and its educational requirements is a good choice for them before proceeding.
The advanced CNA-2 course trains CNAs on the specifics of acute-care hospitals. While not required to get a hospital job, CNA-2 courses make students more desirable to hospitals and help them to be more effective in the fast pace, higher-risk clinical environment. Acute-care facilities require awareness and quick-responses which can make them more demanding. Advanced classes address how a CNA should respond and gives CNAs a broader knowledge of the higher-tech medicine in practice around them.