Being a nurse assistant is a very challenging and rewarding career. Nurse assistants play a very important role in the medical field by assisting nurses with the care of the patient. They do activities such as the bathing, dressing, and assisting patients with everyday tasks. They also take temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Before enrolling in a Nursing Assistant Training program, a person needs to first decide whether this particular career is right for him or her. This profession requires many hours of standing and walking and is also not ideal for those who have weak stomachs. However, if a person can handle those things, being a nurse assistant will be an exciting career for him or her.
Before enrolling in a nursing assistant program, a person must have quite a few things in order. Most nursing assistant programs require a high school diploma or GED. Most schools or companies also do a background check as a prerequisite for entrance into their program. Places that offer nursing assistant training are community or technical colleges and even organizations such as the Red Cross. The nursing assistant program typically can be completed within two to six weeks. It usually consists of two parts: classroom and practical. In the classroom, the students learn skills such as how to take vitals, how to bathe and dress a patient, and CPR. The practical portion consists of the students applying what they have learned in a hospital or nursing home setting. Before a person is allowed a nursing assistant diploma, both of these parts must be successfully completed.
Upon successful completion of the program, a person will be eligible to take the Certified nursing assistant state exam. A person usually has around three to four months to take this exam after completing his or her nursing assistant training. Even though some healthcare facilities will allow a person to practice without taking this exam, it is best that he or she take it. This will allow a person to be eligible for higher pay and be more qualified to practice as a nursing assistant in his or her state. Learn more about getting your Nursing Degree.