CNA Training for High School Graduates and Career-changers

Being a certified nursing assistant is an excellent career option, not just for recent high school graduates but for people that want to change careers, as well. Just like almost all healthcare careers, it’s an exceptionally stable job. Many nursing care facilities and hospitals will continue to need CNAs in the coming years. CNA training programs are widely available because it’s a popular choice of many people for its excellent job security and reasonable pay.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for nursing aides, which includes certified nursing assistants, will grow by 19 percent by the year 2018. That translates to about 276,000 additional nursing aides. High school graduates can enter this field right away because the only academic requirement to be eligible for CNA training programs is their high school diploma. There are even high schools that are already offering this program for their students.

If it’s not available in your high school, you can enroll in a program offered by some community colleges and vocational-training centers. Certain nursing care facilities and hospitals are also offering these programs. People that want to change careers and be a CNA may not have the time to attend classes. Fortunately, there are online training programs that are available to them. With it, they can study at their own pace, whenever they have the time to spend.

There is a State requirement that all nurse assistants must complete programs that are approved by the State. These programs consist of a minimum of 75 hours of training. They also need to pass a certification exam to be a CNA. Once they meet these requirements, they will be included in the State registry of nursing aides. The requirements for CNA training programs vary from State to State, so you need to contact your particular State board for specific information.