CNA jobs are currently needed and the pay scales are good – often ranging from $18,000 to $35,000.  As long as you’ve completed state training programs and have passed a state CNA examination, you’re good to go. The exam involves both written and practical performance based sections. Once you’ve passed the exam, you can begin searching for work and chances are, if you’ve done your homework, you’ll find something.

As concerns the costs of getting educated and certified, CNA training programs aren’t too bad. They are often offered at community colleges, vocational schools, 2 year colleges and so on, They tend to range from about $400 to $800 and may even be less.

Financial aid for these programs is common, and is usually given to people who have difficulty affording a program. Scholarships are also often awarded. Also, hospitals and other facilities sometimes offer to pay for training as part of the hiring process. Being in high demand, employers can encourage that they’ll have a wider selection of qualified candidates by spending a little money on someone they think is good for the job.

CNA Training and Employment in Delaware

Delaware is a good state in which to look for CNA education and employment. There are many schools available and salary averages in the state are only slightly lower than the national average.

In Delaware CNA educational programs are approved by the Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection, which is part of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. Like other states, Delaware requires that a prospective CNA pass a certified CNA training program and then the Delaware state certification exam.

CNA salaries have recently risen sharply recently on a national level. Right now they average of around $34,000 a year in Delaware, putting them right around the national average. So in Delaware becoming a CNA definitely makes financial sense. It’s a smart choice for people getting a start in the health care field.

Educational Institutions in Delaware that offer CNA training

Wilmington

Dawn Training Center Nurse Aide Program

3700 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE 19805

Delaware Technical Community College Nurse Aide Training

333 Shipley Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801

Delaware Skill Center CNA Program

13th and Clifford Brown Walk, Wilmington, DE 19801

Howard High School of Technology CNA Course

401 East 12th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Wilmington Job Corps Nurse Aide Training

9 Vandever Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19802

Georgetown

Delaware Technical Community College CNA program

P.O. Box 610, Rt. 18, Georgetown, Delaware 19947

Sussex Tech Adult Education Division CNA Training Course

17099 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, Delaware 19947

Stockley Center

26351 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE 19947

Dover

Courtland Manor CNA program

889 South Little Creek Road, Dover, Delaware 19901

Silver Lake Center Nursing Assistant Training

1080 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904

Always Care Health Services Inc

1203 College Park Drive, Dover, DE 19904

Newark

Elite School of Nursing, LLC. Prestbury Square Building

15 Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, Delaware 19713

Hodgson Vocational Technical High School

2575 Glasgow Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19702

Woodside

Poly Tech Adult Education CNA Training Program

823 Walnut Shade Road, Woodside, Delaware 19980

Poly Tech High School Nurse Aide Course

P.O. Box 97, Woodside, DE 19980

No tags Hide

There is a basic skill set that applies to the CNA profession. Making sure you’re qualified, willing, and able to perform all the duties of a nursing assistant is a good way to firm up your confidence about your ability to succeed in the field. It also can help you decide if the field is for you if you are just getting into it.

What follows is a list of the main nursing assistant skills and job functions. Mostly deal with the ability to help patients with ADL’s – activities of daily living. It is important to realize, however, that a still more important function of a nursing assistant is the performance of emergency procedures as well as medical observation and reporting. That is, CNA’s must be adept at the speedy assessment of the health status or condition of a patient – either so that they can report it to a nurse or doctor, or if there isn’t time, take action themselves.

Thus, a CNA is vital to the safety and care of patients and the efficiency of the hospital in general. They may even be called on to save a life. This should show you, if you’re a CNA or considering becoming one, just how vital your role could be, and that you should never consider yourself unimportant – as though you are only doing “low level” work.

This is not an exhaustive list, only an overview. Consult with your particular educational or institution or car facility for a complete job description and list of duties.

• CPR Certification and knowledge of emergency procedures. The CNA must be able to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as well as use the “Code Blue” terminology. Code Blue is a verbal statement that a patient has gone into cardiac or respiratory arrest. Note: additional of training may be required for this than what is offered for the entry level CNA position.

• Reports changes in patient condition. This involves being able to spot changes in vital signs such as heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and temperature first and foremost.

• Upholds patient rights. The CNA makes sure the patients’ rights to things like privacy, being informed about procedures, their right to participate in designing their own care plan, confidentiality rights, the right to accept or refuse treatment, and a number of
• others.

• Answers verbal requests for care and assistance of call lights. The CNA must be quick to respond to a patient that makes a care request whether that is in verbal form or with a call light.

• Deals with and reports patient incidents. If a patient falls, becomes agitated, or some other incident relating to the safety of the patient or others occurs, the CNA must be able to assist in the immediate situation and subsequently report it to a nurse or doctor.

• Understands and is able to implement fire and safety precautions. The nursing assistant must know where fire exits are and be able to direct patients to the nearest one, as well as knowing about  and observing other basic safety procedures at the hospital.

The rest of the CNA responsibilities fall mainly into the category of assistance with the activities of routine safety, hygiene, and daily living (ADL’s). They include the following, but are not limited to it – again this is not an exhaustive list:

• Helping patients with perambulation (i.e. walking), in an out of wheel chairs, with walkers, etc.

• Helping reposition patients in beds or elsewhere.

• Administer restraints if necessary – side rails on beds, hand or foot restraints, roll belts, Geri-chairs, and so on.

• Application of anti-embolic stockings. These are long socks worn by patients at risk of circulatory problems.

• Changing urine catch bags.

• Hygiene. Maintains patient and room cleanliness, and washes hands regularly before and after dealing with patients. Makes beds.

• Serves food to patients.

• Measures patient height and weight.

• Bathes patients.

• Administering certain mediations and ointments.

• Administration of K pads and ice packs.

• Helps patients with excretory functions.

• Transport patients in non ambulatory situations – gurneys, wheelchairs, etc.

• Skin and hair care

• Tooth care such as brushing – whether patient is conscious or unconscious.

• Monitoring IVs.

• There are some other skills that require additional training. These are a good place to start if you’re considering increasing your skill set and asking for a higher hourly rate:

• Perform EKG (electrocardiogram)
• Perform bladder scans

• Adjust oxygen flow rate for patients requiring oxygen.

• CPA as mentioned above.

So as you can see, there is quite a lot involved in being a CNA. Your part in the overall health team is very important, even potentially critical in certain situations. Take this career choice seriously and always consider ways you can improve your skill levels. This insures that you will be competent and proud of your work, and will lead to a natural process of career advancement as your training, knowledge and experience expands and extends.

No tags Hide

The Big Apple (New York City for any of you out of towners unfamiliar with the nickname) offers a number of options for somebody seeking CNA education. Several of the boroughs have schools with programs are respected. They also have the advantage of being situated in the well known metropolis that is NYC, with all the amusements, art, and culture that makes the city famous.

The Mandl School of Allied Health

Located on Manhatten’s West Side, The Mandle school offers a 120 hour program that is a hands on preparation for the certification and exam and the field. 30 of the 120 hours are spent in externship programs working at New York City long term care facilities, 57 are spent in class attendance, and 33 are spent learning and practicing CNA skills. The school was founded in 1944, so it has some experience under its belt.

The City University of New York (CUNY) – York College.

CUNY is located in the borough of Queens and offers CNA training through it’s member school York College. The program is given by York’s Adult Continuing Education department. It consists of 130 hours of classroom, lab, and internship time, and includes instruction in all the basics of being a certified nursing assistant including basic psychiatric care and care of the mentally impaired. Trained professionals supervise the program, and York is a well known institution with over 7000 undergraduates attending each year.

Contact Info:

Address: 254 West 54th St., New York, NY 10019

Phone Number: (212) 247-3434

The City University of New York (CUNY) – Hostos Community College of New York

Located in the Bronx, Hostos offers a 130 hour program with day and evening classes. Hostos offers programs that are comprehensive and affordable – their CNA program costs just under $1000. The school has been operating since 1970. In addition to the main program the school offers a 30 hour refresher course for those who need to update skills or who haven’t passed the Certification Examination.

Contact Info:

Address: 108 Cooper Street, New York City, NY 10034

Phone Number: (212) 567-7132

No tags Hide