What You Need to Know About CNA License?

If you are planning a career as a certified nursing assistant, then congratulations, you are on the first step to entering the nursing profession.

Studying to be a Certified Nursing Assistant

Almost every nursing school and community college will have a CNA course. The course ranges from a month to three months of training both theoretical and practical. But when you finish your training you will have to sit for a practical and theoretical licensing exam. This exam enables you to apply for a job in nursing homes and hospitals. The job of a CNA is very simple and at present, there are several people who do the job without any certification. They are called as orderlies and do almost the same job as a CNA. But taking the exam gives you credibility and a degree which can get you a higher salary. The licensing exam also makes you eligible for further studies as a registered nurse (RN), and a BSN.

What about the Certified Nursing Assistant licensing exam?

Every Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) who has completed the course has to apply and sit for the CNA licensing exam. The Test is made up of two parts clinical and theoretical.

• For the clinical exam, you might have to carry a volunteer with you with whom you can demonstrate the clinical tests and signs that you have learnt in your course. There will be a state examiner who will test you on what you have learnt on your practical training. During the exam you will be asked to show any three to five practical training skills that you learnt during your course training. Before you actually start the exam, you have to wash your hand properly in-front of the examiner and dry them off with a paper towel. Use the same paper towel to turn off the tap. These may seem like silly tips but almost every examiner will watch you carefully from the beginning of the exam to the end. Washing your hands properly just lets your examiner know that you care about being clean and not transferring germs to your patients.
• Theoretical exams are very straight forward. Visit the online exam center of your state to ask for sample questions of previous exams. There are also several online websites that offer free sample questions and tests for students who want to take trial tests. Once you’ve practiced enough apply to the state board of the state you are staying in. Remember that your school should help you out in applying for the CNA clinical exam and prepare you for the theoretical exam too.

Read on for more information on how to get your license and then renew it every year.