CNA Classes Near Me in Athens GA 30601

How to Choose a CNA School near Athens Georgia

Athens GA cna holding baby So you have decided to practice as a CNA and enroll in certified nursing assistant classes near Athens GA. After you have attained your certification, you will launch a fulfilling career in one of the fastest expanding occupations in medical care within the USA. Even though it might seem like a challenging endeavor, it’s important that you choose the right CNA course to obtain the appropriate training and education. Many future students begin with the two most fundamental qualifications, which are the location of the school and the price of tuition. You might also be contemplating whether to attend CNA classes on campus, or enroll in an online course and attend them at home. More about that alternative later. But performing your due diligence prior to selecting a CNA school consists of much more than comparing the price or location. Such things as accreditation and the reputation of the school must similarly be taken into account. We will be covering those topics together with several other questions that you should be asking before you register in a CNA school. But first, let’s discuss a little bit about what a nursing assistant does and the type of instruction and credentials that are offered.

The Function of a CNA in Athens GA

cna with patient in Athens GA nursing home Certified Nursing Assistants perform many functions in the Athens GA hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities where they are employed. Per their title, CNAs are not licensed by the state but instead are certified. Because they are not licensed, they perform under the guidance and supervision of either a licensed LPN or RN. Plus as nursing assistants, their main job role is to assist the licensed nurses that they work under. Their responsibilities are numerous and diverse, and in a hospital setting can include:

Providing basic care to patients
Checking patient’s vital signs
Maintaining a record of patient’s health status
Bathing and dressing patients
Serving and assisting patients with meals
Conveying patients to other areas

CNAs might also work in Athens GA 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 people perform daily without aid, such as eating, dressing, or using the washroom. Nursing assistants typically develop more of a bond with these types of patients since they often reside in the facilities for prolonged time periods. In many cases, they can end up being the conduit between the patient and the balance of the medical staff because of their familiarity with their charges. Consequently, the CNA’s knowledge can be a valued resource for planning the proper care and treatment of long term care patients.

CNA Programs

Unlike some other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants in Athens GA do not have to attain a college degree. CNA training can be acquired at a community college or at either a vocational or trade school. The duration of the instruction can take anywhere from just one to three months, leading to either a certificate or a diploma. Under the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are mandated to receive at least 75 hours of instruction, 16 of which have to be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Bear in mind that this is the minimum amount of instruction mandated and that each state has its own requirements. So it’s important to make certain that the training program you enroll in not only fulfills the federal requirements, but also those for the state where you will be practicing. One recommendation is to get in touch with the health or nursing board for your state to make certain that the education is state approved. Along with the training, each state requires a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there can be other requirements as well.

CNA Online Degrees

attending online cna classes in Athens GA Attending CNA schools online is growing into a more preferred way to obtain instruction and attain a nursing credential. Many schools will require attending on campus for a component of the training, and nearly all programs require a specified amount of clinical rotation hours performed in a local Athens GA healthcare center. But since the balance of the training can be accessed online, this alternative may be a more practical approach to finding the free time to attend classes for many students. Pertaining to tuition, some online programs are cheaper than other on campus alternatives. Even supplementary expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be minimized, helping to make education more easily affordable. And numerous online programs are accredited. Therefore if your job and family commitments have left you with limited time to pursue your academic goals, it could be that an online CNA school will make it easier to fit an education into your busy schedule.

Questions to Ask CNA Nursing Courses

Once you have chosen which nursing program to pursue, as well as if to attend your classes on campus or on the internet, you can use the following checklist to start narrowing down your choices. As you probably realize, there are numerous CNA schools and colleges throughout Georgia and the United States. So it is necessary to reduce the number of schools to choose from to ensure that you will have a workable list. As we already mentioned, the site of the school relative to Athens GA and the cost of tuition are probably going to be the first two factors that you will consider. 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 selection compares to the other programs.

Is the CNA program accredited? It’s important that the Athens GA 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 Athens GA, make sure that it complies with the certification requirements for Georgia 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 Athens GA 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. Georgia 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 Athens GA 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 Athens GA 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 Athens GA 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 Athens GA 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 Athens GA, 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 Athens GA?

Athens, Georgia

Athens (formally known as Athens-Clarke County) is a consolidated city–county and American college town in the U.S. state of Georgia, about 60 miles northeast from Downtown Atlanta. The University of Georgia, the state's flagship university and a Tier I research institution, is located in Athens and contributed to its initial growth. In 1991, after a vote the preceding year, the original city abandoned its charter to form a unified government with Clarke County, referred to jointly as Athens-Clarke County.[2] As of the 2010 census, the consolidated city-county (including all of Athens-Clarke County except Winterville and a portion of Bogart) had a total population of 115,452; all of Clarke County had a population of 116,714.[3] Athens is the sixth-largest city in Georgia, and the principal city of the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area,[4] which had a population of 192,541 as of the 2010 census and is a part of the larger Atlanta Metropolitan area.[5] Athens-Clarke County has the smallest geographical area of a county in Georgia.[citation needed]

The city is dominated by a pervasive student culture and music scene centered on Downtown Athens adjacent to the University of Georgia campus.[6] Major music acts associated with Athens include numerous alternative rock bands such as R.E.M., the B-52's, Widespread Panic, and the Indigo Girls.

In the late 18th century, a trading settlement on the banks of the Oconee River called Cedar Shoals stood where Athens is located today. On January 27, 1785, the Georgia General Assembly granted a charter by Abraham Baldwin for the University of Georgia as the first state-supported university. Sixteen years later, in 1801, a committee from the university's board of trustees selected a site for the university on a hill above Cedar Shoals, in what was then Jackson County. On July 25, John Milledge, one of the trustees and later governor of Georgia, bought 633 acres (256 ha) from Daniel Easley and donated it to the university. Milledge named the surrounding area Athens after the city that was home to the Platonic Academy of Plato and Aristotle in Greece.[7]

The location could not be found.

Select the Right CNA Training near Athens GA

Enrolling in the best certified nursing assistant college is probably the most critical first step to beginning a new career in the healthcare field. There are numerous aspects that you must take into account when deciding on a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently contingent on your existing career goals, obligations, and economic situation. As we have pointed out in this content, it is important that you choose a CNA school 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 create a shortlist of schools to pick from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training, combined with your dedication and drive to succeed, you can become a certified nursing assistant in Athens GA.