How to Select a CNA Program near Island Falls Maine
So you have decided to work as a CNA and enroll in certified nursing assistant training near Island Falls ME. Once you have obtained your certification, you will be starting a rewarding career in one of the most rapidly growing positions in medical care within the USA. Even though it might seem like a complicated task, it’s important that you select the best CNA program to obtain the appropriate training and education. Many potential students start with the two most basic qualifications, which are the location of the school and the price of tuition. You may additionally be considering whether to attend CNA classes on campus, or enroll in an online course and attend them from home. More on that option later. But doing your due diligence before choosing a CNA program consists of much more than comparing the price or location. Such things as accreditation and the reputation of the school must additionally be taken into account. We will be covering those topics as well as a few other questions that you should be asking before you register in a CNA school. But to start with, let’s discuss a little bit about what a nursing assistant does and the kind of instruction and credentials that are available.
The Duties of a CNA in Island Falls ME
Certified Nursing Assistants perform many functions in the Island Falls ME hospitals, clinics and other medical organizations where they are employed. Per their title, CNAs are not licensed by the state but rather are certified. Given that they are not licensed, they perform under the guidance and management of either a licensed LPN or RN. And as nursing assistants, their prime job duty is to aid the licensed nurses that they work under. Their responsibilities are many and varied, and in a hospital setting can include:
- Furnishing basic care to patients
- Reading patient’s vital signs
- Keeping a record of patient’s health status
- Cleaning and dressing patients
- Serving and aiding patients with meals
- Moving patients to other rooms
CNAs might also practice in Island Falls ME nursing homes or long term care centers. In those environments, nursing assistants are more engaged in assisting patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL). ADLs are identified as routine activities that the majority of people carry out daily without assistance, such as eating, dressing, or using the washroom. Nursing assistants typically build more of a bond with these patients since they commonly stay in the facilities for extended time periods. Frequently, they can become the channel between the patient and the balance of the medical staff because of their familiarity with their charges. As a result, the CNA’s knowledge can be an useful resource for planning the appropriate care and treatment of long term care patients.
CNA Certificates
Unlike some other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants in Island Falls ME do not need to obtain a college degree. CNA education can be acquired at a community college or at either a vocational or trade school. The duration of the training can take anywhere from one to three months, leading to either a certificate or a diploma. Under the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are required to obtain at least 75 hours of instruction, 16 of which need to be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Keep in mind that this is the minimum amount of training directed and every state has its own prerequisites. So it’s crucial to make sure that the training program you enroll in not only complies with the federal requirements, but also 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 approved. Along with the training, each state mandates a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there can be additional requirements as well.
CNA Online Training
Attending CNA programs online is emerging as a more favored way to get instruction and acquire a nursing credential. Some schools will require attendance on campus for part of the training, and virtually all programs require a specified number of clinical rotation hours performed in a local Island Falls ME healthcare facility. But since the remainder of the training may be accessed online, this alternative may be a more convenient answer to finding the time to attend school for many students. Concerning tuition, a number of online programs are cheaper than other on campus choices. Even other 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 commitments have left you with limited time to work toward your academic goals, maybe an online CNA training program will make it more convenient to fit an education into your hectic schedule.
Questions to Ask CNA Nursing Degree Programs
Once you have selected which nursing program to pursue, as well as if to attend your classes on campus or online, you can use the following pointers to begin narrowing down your choices. As you undoubtedly realize, there are a large number of CNA schools and colleges throughout Maine and the United States. So it is necessary to lower the number of schools to choose from in order that you will have a workable list. As we previously mentioned, the site of the school relative to Island Falls ME and the expense of tuition are most likely going to be the initial two things that you will take into consideration. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your only qualifiers. So prior to making your ultimate decision, use the following questions to evaluate how your selection compares to the other schools.
Is the CNA program accredited? It’s important that the Island Falls ME 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 Island Falls ME, make sure that it complies with the certification requirements for Maine 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 Island Falls ME 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. Maine 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 Island Falls ME 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 Island Falls ME 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 Island Falls ME 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 Island Falls ME 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 Island Falls ME, 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 Island Falls ME?
Island Falls, Maine
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.76 square miles (105.57 km2), of which 36.03 square miles (93.32 km2) is land and 4.73 square miles (12.25 km2) is water.[1] Island Falls also has two main lakes, Pleasant and Mattawamkeag.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 837 people, 357 households, and 228 families residing in the town. The population density was 23.2 inhabitants per square mile (9.0/km2). There were 655 housing units at an average density of 18.2 per square mile (7.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.
There were 357 households of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.
Enroll in the Right CNA Training near Island Falls ME
Choosing the right certified nursing assistant degree program is perhaps the most crucial phase to starting a new career in the health care field. There are many aspects that you must think about when picking a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career objectives, lifestyle, and economic status. As we have highlighted within this post, it is essential that you pick a CNA college and program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the health care community. By utilizing our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a shortlist of schools to select from so that you can make your final selection. And with the right training, combined with your dedication and ambition to succeed, you can become a CNA in Island Falls ME.
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