Many people dream of working in the health care field. Working in health care provides a sense of personal fulfillment and self satisfaction other skilled occupations fail to offer. Generally, the money is decent, the benefits are generous and the job is usually very stable. Even in tough economic times, health care occupation workers are always in demand because sickness never takes a break. Many health care professionals like nurses, technologists and even many student physicians work as certified nursing assistants while going through college. Just as many people if not more make it a life-long career. How long does CNA training take?

Because each state varies in educational requirements for basic CNA certification, there is no one set in stone answer to that question. Also, if the practitioner’s goal is to work in the acute health care environment like hospitals and surgery centers, advanced training in addition to basic CNA certification is required.

Certified nursing assistant training takes anywhere from a short three weeks to ninety days depending on whether you train at an on the job facility or an institution of higher learning like a community college or vocational school. Advanced competencies needed to work in the hospital environment may add weeks as well. To enroll in a CNA curriculum, the student must meet certain admission criteria relating to education, health and background history.

Generally, basic CNA students learn bathing techniques, feeding modalities, transfer and moving techniques, how to take vital signs and assistance with ambulation. Those who are accepted into CNA training classes must complete both the classroom and hands-on practice sessions to earn certification. In the end, one must pass a state approved final written examination testing the prospective practitioners’ skills and abilities to practice in a way considered competent – and a hands-on demonstration skill test. When you pass these final tests, you are awarded a certification of completion.

Every state has a board of nursing which establishes rules and regulates the practice of professional and practical nursing applicants, but not every state board of nursing regulates the practice and certification of certified nursing assistants. In these cases, the state department of business and professional regulation controls CNA certification approvals and mandates CNA training modules. Many people who earn their nursing assistant certification attend intensive, in person classes at the local trade schools, are split their time between classroom learning and hands-on clinical experience.

In general, classes offered by these types of institutions are very focused and intense concentrating on task-specific modules of learning. Generally, in this type of structured environment, getting your CNA certification consists of full day classes within the various required subjects mandated by your specific state. After testing at the appropriate levels, the certified nursing student then attends clinical rotations in both the acute care and long term care settings. This type of highly structured learning is often the first thing potential employers take notice of because of the diversity and structure it provides.

CNA training can take as little as three weeks to as several months depending on the skills and abilities you choose to add to your resume.