Taking the CNA Exam - Sunshine Career Institute
How much money do CNA's make?"

The answer to this question largely depends on where you work. Nursing assistant pay rates vary widely between states, and even between work environments. In Massachusetts, for example, an average starting CNA salary is in the neighborhood of $11-$12 hourly. Other states may have lower ($8.00) or higher ($14.00) starting rates. Nursing Assistant salaries used to be higher in a hospital environment than in a nursing home environment, however, this is no longer always the case. As with any job, your pay rate as a CNA will increase with experience. For more information about Nursing Assistant salaries and jobs in the U.S., visit Monster.com



"I have a question about the status of my CNA certification."

For certification questions, visit the Nurse Aide Registries page to locate the Nursing Board/Board of Health in your state.



"I'm moving to another state. How do I transfer my CNA certification?"

For information on CNA Reciprocity, visit the following link & click on F.A.Q. : CNA Network



"I would like to become a CNA...where do I begin?"

More detailed information on becoming a CNA can be found elsewhere on this website, but in brief, some options include:

*Contact a healthcare facility directly via newspaper advertisements offering Nursing Assistant training classes.

*Call your local Community College and ask if they offer Nursing Assistant classes.

*CNA Classes may also be taken through the Red Cross. Click here to find the Red Cross in your area.



"Which is better, a Community College CNA course, or taking CNA classes through a health care facility?"

There are pros and cons to each learning environment...each person must decide for themselves which is more practical and fulfilling to them personally. I took my Nursing Assistant training classes through a local nursing home. While the classes lasted only two weeks, I believe it laid a sufficient foundation for me to begin CNA work. Community College classes last usually 3 months or more, and naturally are much more in depth. I must say, however, that I have worked with CNA's who gained their certification through a college course and they were no better prepared that CNA's who were trained through a nursing home or health care facility CNA training program. Basic CNA skills are easy to learn---the details come later, on the job. The challenge in becoming a "good" CNA is learning how to manage time and establishing a good working relationship with the people you care for. People skills cannot be learned in a classroom! Which brings me to the next question...



"I've seen a lot of websites offering CNA classes online. Is this a good option?"

For some reason, these websites have been springing up more and more lately and my own personal opinion is that they may be beneficial to people who have already been through a "real" Nursing Assistant program, have their certification and would like a refresher course. HOWEVER...I am totally opposed to online courses taking the place of a hands on CNA training class in a health care setting for those who are seeking to gain their certification initially. Perhaps the most important aspect of Nursing Assistant training is the clinical setting. This is where you will put into practice everything you have learned in class. This is where you develop your infection control habits, your interpersonal habits, your acclamation to a health care setting and your CNA skills. While an online Nursing Assistant course may offer you a "quick, easy, inexpensive and convenient way" to earn your CNA certification, you will be missing out on the biggest part of CNA training and the focus of our jobs: hands-on care in the clinical setting. If you are seeking to become a CNA and are weighing your options, I highly recommend avoiding the online route, unless it is an online class through a Community College taken in conjunction with clinical hands on actual patient care.



"Am I too old to become a CNA? I feel as though I am entering this profession too late in life and additionally, I have no medical background..."

Nursing Assistants are men and women of all ages and all backgrounds. All that is required is the physical and emotional ability to care for sick people. It is important to note that a person going into the CNA profession should be able to lift a significant amount of weight (transferring patients is often quite backbreaking) and be able to spend long periods of time on their feet. Being a Nursing Assistant is a physically (and often mentally) strenuous job that demands organizational skills and a friendly, caring bedside manner.

As for a medical background, none is required. Any training you will need to perform your duties will be provided for you in an accredited CNA training program prior to beginning work.

If you have other questions, please visit the Nursing Assistant Central Message Board, which is the companion to this website. There are many helpful and experienced people there, along with new CNA's and CNA's in training.
Sunshine Career Institute
6862 W Atlantic Blvd
Margate, FL 33063
954-582-5332
www.scischool.com