Online CNA Training

A nurse aide program that is online? How can people learn about becoming a certified nursing assistant from home? While it may seem unorthodox, online CNA training is one of the fastest education programs in a distance-learning format. For prospective students wishing to enter this growing medical field, studying from home can make a crucial difference for job retraining and becoming a certified nursing assistant.

Distance Learning for Certified Nursing Assistants

Most CNA programs have some basic requirements:

- 75 hours of classwork
- 16 hours of clinical training with patients, under a nurse's supervision
- Ability to read and write in English at a 6th grade level or higher

In order to enter into a CNA training program, you also need to have a clean criminal record (no felonies), be 18 or older (though some states permit 17 year olds to have provisional certification), be able to lift 50 pounds or more, and be able to understand English well enough to help patients.

Note that you don't need a high school diploma or GED to enter into online CNA training. But you do need access to a computer and the Internet.

Online CNA Training

Most distance learning programs offer the 75 hours of coursework online, with universities such as Kaplan leading the way. The 16 hours of clinical work, dealing with patients under the supervision of a registered nurse, can be handled in your own town at a medical care facility, but the school that manages the online CNA training will help with placement in this short internship.

Typical online classwork covers modules or chapters that address:

- patient hygiene
- feeding
- bathing
- infectious disease management
- charting requirements and procedures
- professionalism
- basic medical procedures

These modules are critical for passing the certification exam offered in each state, for students must pass the exam to be listed on the state's nurse registry and to qualify for CNA jobs.

Nurse Aide Jobs and Beyond

Deciding to complete online CNA training can help cut commutes, reduce gasoline and transportation costs, and help streamline the education process. Learning via distance education isn't for everyone, though - each prospective nursing assistant student needs to weigh out the pros and cons for his or her situation. With a high demand for CNA and increasing job prospects, this is one career that is worth exploring for those searching for job retraining and convenient online courses.