CNA Certification Classes in Willow Grove PA 19090 Archives

How to Select a CNA School near Willow Grove Pennsylvania

Willow Grove PA cna holding baby So you have decided to practice as a CNA and enroll in certified nursing assistant training near Willow Grove PA. As soon as you have achieved your certification, you will be starting a rewarding career in one of the fastest growing positions in medical care within the Country. Though it may well seem like a challenging task, it’s essential that you select the ideal CNA course to receive the necessary training and education. A number of prospective students begin with the two most essential qualifications, which are the location of the school and the price of tuition. You might also be pondering whether to attend CNA classes on campus, or enroll in an online program and attend them from home. More concerning that alternative later. But performing your due diligence prior to selecting a CNA training course requires far more than comparing the cost or location. Such qualifiers as accreditation and the reputation of the school must similarly be taken into account. We will be addressing those subjects together with several other questions that you need to be asking before you register in a CNA school. But to start with, let’s talk a little bit about what a nursing assistant does and the type of instruction and credentials that are available.

The Function of a Certified Nursing Assistant in Willow Grove PA

cna with patient in Willow Grove PA nursing home Certified Nursing Assistants complete many duties in the Willow Grove PA hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities where they work. As indicated by their title, CNAs are not licensed by the state but instead are certified. Because they are not licensed, they function under the guidance and management of either a licensed LPN or RN. And as nursing assistants, their primary job function is to assist the licensed nurses that they work under. Their responsibilities are numerous and diverse, and in a hospital setting may include:

Providing basic care to patients
Reading patient’s vital signs
Maintaining a record of patient’s health status
Cleaning and dressing patients
Serving and aiding patients with meals
Conveying patients to other rooms

CNAs can also practice in Willow Grove PA nursing homes or long term care facilities. In those settings, nursing assistants are more involved in supporting patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL). ADLs are characterized as routine activities that most individuals accomplish daily without assistance, such as eating, dressing, or using the bathroom. Nursing assistants commonly develop more of a bond with these patients since they often stay in the facilities for extensive time periods. In many cases, they can end up being the conduit between the patient and the rest of the medical staff because of their relationships with their charges. As a result, the CNA’s knowledge can be a valued resource for preparing the proper care and treatment of long term care patients.

CNA Courses

Unlike other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants in Willow Grove PA do not have to obtain a college degree. CNA instruction can be acquired at a community college or at either a vocational or trade school. The duration of the training program can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months, resulting in either a certificate or a diploma. Under the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are mandated to receive at least 75 hours of training, 16 of which have to be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Bear in mind that this is the minimal period of training directed and that each state has its specific prerequisites. So it’s crucial to make sure that the course you enroll in not only complies with the federal requirements, but additionally those for the state where you will be practicing. One recommendation is to contact the health or nursing board for your state to make sure that the training course is state certified. Along with the training, each state mandates a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there may be additional requirements as well.

CNA Online Training

attending online cna classes in Willow Grove PA Enrolling in CNA programs online is becoming a more preferred way to get instruction and acquire a nursing credential. Many schools will require attending on campus for a component of the training, and nearly all programs require a specific amount of clinical rotation hours carried out in a local Willow Grove PA healthcare facility. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this option may be a more convenient solution to finding the time to attend classes for many students. Concerning tuition, some online programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even supplementary expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be lessened, helping to make education more economical. And many online programs are accredited. Therefore if your work and household obligations have left you with very little time to pursue your academic goals, perhaps an online CNA school will make it easier to fit an education into your hectic schedule.

Questions to Ask CNA Nursing Courses

Now that you have decided on which nursing program to pursue, along with whether to attend your classes on campus or on the web, you can utilize the following checklist to begin narrowing down your choices. As you probably are aware, there are many CNA schools and colleges within Pennsylvania and the United States. So it is important to decrease the number of schools to choose from in order that you will have a workable list. As we already pointed out, the site of the school relative to Willow Grove PA and the cost of tuition are probably going to be the primary two points that you will look at. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So prior to making your final decision, use the following questions to see how your pick measures up to the other programs.

Is the CNA program accredited? It’s important that the Willow Grove PA school and program that you enroll in is accredited. One of the more highly regarded accrediting authorities is the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). CNA schools and programs that have been accredited by the NLNAC are guaranteed to not only provide a quality education but to be state approved as well. Earning a certificate or diploma from an accredited school is also more likely to be credited towards a more advanced nursing degree at another accredited school. And finally, accreditation makes your training more valuable in the job market.

Is the CNA course state approved? Before enrolling in a training course near Willow Grove PA, make sure that it complies with the certification requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing. It should not only satisfy the minimum federal requirement of 75 hours, 16 of which must be clinical training, but any additional state requirements as well. As previously mentioned, if the CNA course is accredited by NLNAC it will be guaranteed to be state approved.

What is the Pass Rate for the State Exam? It’s preferable to enroll in a nursing assistant school near Willow Grove PA with a pass rate for the state licensing exam of at least 75% for its graduates. If fewer than 75% are passing, it may be an indication that the curriculum and/or the instructors are not effectively training the students. Pennsylvania posts a list of state CNA schools with their state licensing exam pass rates.

Is there an Internship Program? Find out if the schools you are considering sponsor internships with Willow Grove PA healthcare facilities. They are a great way to get hands-on clinical experience not available in a classroom or lab setting. As an additional benefit, they can help students establish relationships within the local medical community. They also look good on resumes. Also check to see if tutoring is available as needed. Other options may include an internet school forum or chat room where students can ask questions and share knowledge.

Is there a Job Placement Program? A job placement program can be of great assistance to a graduating student in finding that first nursing position. Find out how many students are being placed in jobs with the assistance of the school. If a school has a high job placement rate, it’s a confirmation that its reputation within the Willow Grove PA medical community is exemplary. It also confirms that the school has a broad network of contacts to assist students gain internships or employment after graduation.

Where is the school located? The campus will need to be within driving distance of your Willow Grove PA residence unless you are able to relocate. If you enroll in an online program, find out where the clinical portion of your training is available. If a school has an internship program, most likely the placements will be within its local area. Also keep in mind that if you enroll in an out-of-state school, or even out of area for many community colleges, the tuition costs as a non-resident may be higher.

How large are the classes? Ask the schools you are considering on average how large their classes are. Smaller classes usually provide more access to teachers when students have questions or need extra help. In contrast, larger classes tend to be more impersonal and limit one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a couple of the classes before enrolling so that you can experience the level of interaction between students and instructors.

What is the Program’s total cost? CNA training and tuition can vary not only among schools, but from state to state depending on certification requirements. In addition to tuition, there are other costs such as commuting expenses, textbooks and other materials. When comparing schools remember to include all costs required for your education. If you do decide to attend an online school, some of the expenses may be reduced. Most schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is available in the Willow Grove PA area.

Can the Program accommodate your Schedule? Finally, you will need to make sure that the program you select offers classes at a time that you can attend. If you are still working and need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Willow Grove PA, make sure they are available. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend classes online, you will still need to confirm when clinical training hours are offered. Also, find out what the policy is for making up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or other obligations.

Considering CNA Classes near Willow Grove PA?

Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

Willow Grove is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Upper Dublin Township, Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township. Willow Grove was once known for Willow Grove Park, an amusement park that was open from 1896 to 1976, now the site of Willow Grove Park Mall. Willow Grove is considered an edge city of Philadelphia with large amounts of retail and office space.[3]

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove was located northwest of the Willow Grove CDP in Horsham Township.[4] NAS JRB Willow Grove transitioned into Horsham Air National Guard Station in September 2011.[citation needed]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2), of which 0.28% is water. It has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and its hardiness zone is 7a.

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Choose the Right CNA Program near Willow Grove PA

Selecting the ideal certified nursing assistant degree program is perhaps the most important phase to beginning a new career in the healthcare field. There are many aspects that you should consider when picking a nursing school. These factors will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career objectives, obligations, and financial situation. As we have emphasized within this content, it is critical that you choose a CNA college and program that are each accredited and have excellent reputations within the healthcare community. By using our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a short list of schools to select from so that you can make your final selection. And with the right training, combined with your dedication and drive to succeed, you can become a CNA in Willow Grove PA.