Identification

A Certified Nurse Assistant works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse to provide basic patient care. The basic duties of a CNA include making beds, bathing, dressing, serving meals and taking a patient's vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure and pulse.

Diploma Requirements

A CNA position does require a high school diploma, which can be obtained either through successfully completing four years of high school or through a GED program. A college education or diploma, however, is not required.

Training

CNA training is required to become a Certified Nurse Assistant, although this training is commonly provided by the employer after hire. Most facilities require workers to complete a specific number of on-the-job training hours within a certain period of time.

State Evaluation

Once proper training has been completed, the person must take a state test to evaluate their proficiency at the duties associated with the job. Once the test is passed, the person is certified to work as a CNA and their name is placed on the state registry of Certified Nurse Assistants.

Considerations

For a more formal education, certain schools do offer formal CNA training programs. CNA programs typically involve both classroom hours and hands-on training; they provide a well-rounded overview of the CNA position.

Source:

Education Portal: Certified Nursing Assistant

Degree Directory: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA): What Are the Educational Requirements?

Nursing Assistant Guides: What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?