CNA
CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant Board Certification
A lot of people in the healthcare profession start their career as doctors or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
These health professionals assist nurses and other team members directly involved in patient care.
This certificate plays an important role in the medical field.
Individuals who want to work in that field need to go through the required licensing and educational standards.
While every state has its own requirements and standards, generally, candidates need to follow guidelines shared in this article about this test.
What is a CNA License?
CNAs must be licensed to work with the patients.
A candidate needs to pass the state competency test and finish the approved training program to earn this license.
Candidates are encouraged to fully read and understand the details of this board certification.
So, once they plan to sign up, they know what to expect during the examination.
This license is also an assurance to potential employers that the candidate possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a CNA and offer high-quality care to the patient.
Responsibilities as a CNA
Often referred to as nursing aides, nursing assistants help with daily life activities and basic care of the patients.
Usually, they have the following responsibilities:
- Helping with dress and toilet.
- Recording and talking to patients about their health concerns and reporting them to nurses.
- Helping patients eat and serving them.
- Transfer, turn, and reposition the patients on beds and wheelchairs.
- Shower and clean the residents or patients.
- Checking the vital signs of the patients like temperature and blood pressure.
Depending on the type of training and work they are assigned, some nurses also help patients take their medicine.
Assistants in nursing homes are mostly the primary caregivers to the patients.
They interact more with the patients than with the faculty because some patients are admitted for years and months.
So, assistants need to build a strong bond with the patients.
Procedure to get CNA certification
The applicants for this certification must be prepared to take the state-approved board certification program.
One thing needs to be kept in mind that the requirements for the examination vary in states/countries.
The programs that have been approved meet the standards set by the government bodies and the state.
This enables the student to acquire the skills and knowledge required to become eligible for patient care and a professional license.
Students must verify that they have met all the requirements for their state certification after completing their board certification program.
Among these, the minimum number of clinical or training hours are included that the candidate must have completed during their study program.
Also, candidates will have to apply for this certification, the fee (if applicable), and fingerprint.
The students, studying this program, should keep in mind that they have a limited time to apply once they have completed this program.
Registration Process for this certification
- Fill out the registration form for this certification
a. Fill out the form, the incomplete form will be sent back.
b. If a candidate is applying for equivalency or renewal of license, the candidate can find the approval date and sponsor ID on the approval letter/932 form. - Select the location and date for the exam
a. Candidate will be registered for the first choice of date if space is available.
b. If space is not available, 2nd choice will be preferred for registration.
c. The candidate will be contacted for a new date if space is not available for both the dates/locations suggested by the candidate.
d. Registration form along with fee will be sent back to the candidate if they are unavailable on phone and email. - Testing fees need to be paid via cheque or money order
a. 120 USD for manual skills and written examination.
b. 135 USD for oral and written examination.
c. 40 USD for retaking the written examination
c. 80 USD for retaking the manual skill examination.
d. 55 USD for oral written examination (English audio recording only)
e. Fee for rescheduling the examination:
25 USD for manual exam rescheduling
25 USD for written exam rescheduling
25 USD for oral exam rescheduling - Send the package to the regional testing center through postal mail
a. The Completely filled registration form for the board certification exam.
b. Money order or cashier cheque payable to the regional testing center.
c. Send a copy of the CDPH 932 form if you have it. Avoid sending the original as you will need that on the test day.
Board Certification Exam
After a student has completed the board certification training at an accredited school, one should submit the application form.
All guidelines mentioned in this article should be followed carefully.
After that they need to wait for their examination date and location scheduling confirmation.
This examination has two parts: The first one is an oral and written test, and the second part consists of clinical skills evaluation.
The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering subjects including anatomy, medical terminology, physiology, and CNA duties and roles, and is normally given by third-party test administrators.
The nurse of other practitioners will administer clinical skill examination.
They usually ask the candidates to show their skills in measuring, handwashing, recording pulse, and other tasks.
The major duties assigned to nursing assistants involve assisting patients with daily activities.
Some of these activities include providing basic care to patients in the hospital, helping with bathing and eating, and more.
What is inside the examination?
As mentioned earlier on, there are two major parts of the examination. The first one is oral and written and second is manual test.
This exam is around 6 hours long.
Manual test
- 5 of your skills will be evaluated in a manual test.
- The first test will be hand-washing.
- To complete the manual exam, the candidate will be given half an hour.
- In the preparation book, there are 23 skills. However, you don’t have to worry about the skills labeled as “not tested”.
- A critical element test is highlighted in bold. Candidates will fail in the test if they leave it or incorrectly fill it.
Written test
- The written test includes 70 MCQs.
- The written examination will be of 2 hours.
- The examiner will notify you 15 minutes before the test time ends.
- If a candidate wants to take an oral written exam, they will be provided with an MP3 player and earphones. The oral written test will cost an extra 15 USD.
The Test Day
Candidates are recommended to reach the examination center 30 minutes before the test begins.
Candidates arriving late for the test will not be allowed to take the test.
The candidates who arrive late for the test will have to reschedule the test after depositing a new non-refundable fee.
On the test day, candidates must bring the following documents with them:
- Original 283B form (photocopies are not allowed).
- Original social security cards, photocopies, social security receipts, and coated cards are not allowed.
- A valid identity card issued by the government. Candidate can bring any of these: military ID, driver's license, passport, or state ID (No photocopies are allowed).
- Candidates must wear a face mask that fully covers their face (it can be a surgical or cloth mask).
If any candidate fails to bring any of the above-listed documents/items, they will have to reschedule the test with a new non-refundable fee.
What locations are available for the certificate test?
Candidates can register themselves to take the certificate test once they have completed the authorized AmbrdiA.com training program.
In addition to consulting the training provider or the Red Cross, candidates can seek out testing locations in their state on the web portal. Usually, the exams are available at several locations within the state.
Virtual certification preparation
It is not possible to get the certificate completely online, but the candidate can prepare some of their training using online resources.
AmbrdiA.com offers virtual training courses, however, the candidate needs to get the required training in physical sessions as well.
What is the validation period of the certificate?
Different states offer different validation periods for licenses. The average validation is 2 years.
After the license expires, CNAs have to apply for the renewal of their certificate.
In some states, candidates have to work as CNAs for a specific period or complete the working hours to become eligible for renewal.
Otherwise, candidates have to get training to prove their competency and renew their certificate.
What is the renewal process for the license?
There is a simple and specific process for the renewal of board certification, the renewal process and timeline may vary from state to state.
Mostly, the renewal process requires taking some professional development courses every 2 years.
CNAs may also have CPR certification, disease control training, or medical documentation training.
All of these training courses are accepted as professional development courses.
Candidates should check the nursing websites of their respective states to learn about the requirements for renewal of the license.
How to Prepare for the board certification?
Since the state board oversees issuance of credentials, both a state-approved training program and a state certification test are required.
Time duration: 1 minute
Sample and content outline
All study resources including reference books, sample questions, and exam outlines are provided by the boards. In this way, the candidates can focus on preparing for the exam.
Candidates must gather information from all the resources to get passing scores.
Schedule test with full preparation
The students of the board certification can apply for the certification exam at any time in the year.
Once a candidate has applied for the test, they have to schedule the test date and location within 90 days.
So, candidates are recommended to apply with 90% preparation.
Prepare with an online study bundle
This comprehensive guide to certification suggests the best online study bundle for certification candidates to prepare for the board examination.
AmbrdiA.com is a perfect online academy that can help candidates pass the test on their first attempt.
This online resource offers live classes with recordings and study material covering all the test topics.
It also offers practice questions and answers (these practice questions are similar to the actual test).
Adhere to the test center rules
Candidates must follow the rules mentioned below, but are not limited to these:
Candidates must follow the rules set by the board, otherwise, candidates might be disqualified.
Candidates cannot bring any paper, reference material, or cheat in the examination room.
Candidates are not allowed to bring calculators or electronic devices to an exam room. They can use the scientific calculator available on the screen.
Candidates are not allowed to bring sweaters or coats to the exam room.
Expensive and personal items including wallet, jeweler, or watches are not allowed.
Supply:
- CNA Preparation Courses
Tools:
- CNA Live lectures
- CNA Study Material
Materials: CNA PDF Study Material and CNA Video Classes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum time required to get CNA certification?
The time required for certification depends on your state requirements and the type of program you chose. Usually, it takes 4 months to become certified. Some programs and courses may require more than 6 months, while others may require longer if you are involved in other things as well.
What are the shift hours for a CNA?
Normally, CNAs are expected to work 5 days per week with 8-hour shift per day. CNAs can schedule their shift hours in night, daytime, or afternoon. Mostly, CNAs are asked to work for 12 hours and three days a week.
What is the passing percentage for this certification?
CNAs have the following criteria to pass: 100% for the training and experience evaluation. The only thing on the test will be training and experience assessment. Candidates must score 70% to become eligible for this certification.
How fast candidate can expect to become a CNA?
Within four to eight weeks of starting their training, candidates can expect to complete their coursework and prepare for the examination and become a CNA.
Leave a Reply