CNA Classes In Arkansas – CNA Training & Classes

There is a predicted growth of Certified Nursing Aides positions available in the following years to come. With this data in mind, there is no doubt why numerous people are getting into CNA training programs that can give them a stable career they dreamed of. If you want to have a rewarding career and you prefer to work in a healthcare field, working as a Certified Nursing Aide is the best option to take.

Applicants who enroll in an approved CNA training program in Arkansas should be at least 16 years old and have a diploma or GED certificate. A clean criminal record is required and a negative Tuberculosis test of last 6 months and immunization’s proof is a requirement. Also, must have minimal learning skills such as simple math calculations, reading, writing, and speaking English.

The Office of Long Term Care regulates the guidelines and requires that all training programs offer the federal minimum set of 75 training hours. However, ideally, the CNA training must comprise of 175 hours, of which 75 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of practical training. The courses are designed to prepare candidates for the CNA certification exam as well as a career as a nursing assistant in the health field.

The practical training includes practicing all the clinical tasks that are to be performed by a CNA in a nursing facility, such as feeding patients, taking vital signs, administering medication, communication and interpersonal skills, personal hygiene, proper record keeping, maintenance of patient environment, transference and positioning of patients, etc. The typical Arkansas CNA program lasts approximately 6 to 12 weeks and CNA class and the fees range from $800 to $2000.

CNA training programs in Arkansas are scheduled in different locations and some of these classes are conducted for free. The ADH In-House Health and Hospice provides free of charge classes in order to train you and enable you to get a certification afterward. The entire class can take one week to complete with a total of 40 hours. If you want to know more about the training classes and facilities, you can check the website of Arkansas Department of Health or the Office of Long Term Care. Both institutions provide important information that may be helpful to your quest for finding the right training facility for the CNA program.

The classroom courses cover all the technical or theoretical aspects of nursing and include topics about anatomy and physiology, basic nutrition, general healthcare, emergency procedures, patient rights, medical terminology, safety techniques, human bodily functions, etc.

Other subjects covered in the CNA training program include infection control, charting, vital signs taking, personal care, bathing, palliative care, back care, residents’ rights, lift and transfers as well as the basic CNA training. The good thing with this kind of program is you can work even if you are still completing the course. As soon as you graduate, then you will be allowed to take the final exam and practice in long-term health care facilities, hospitals, and home healthcare settings.

Due to the increasing demand of CNA training programs in Arkansas, several nursing homes offer a free tuition fee to students who are willing to work on their institution after the training completion. CNA training usually costs around $500 and if you cannot afford it, you can search for healthcare institutions that offer sponsorships.

Arkansas CNA Exam Requirements

After completing the training program, students have to pass the CNA exam through Prometric, supervised by Arkansas Department of Human Services. The CNA exam consists of a two-hour written test with 50 multiple-choice questions, based on domains such as: basic nursing skills, basic restorative skills, communication of information, resident’s rights, personal care skills, mental health and social service needs, and a clinical test lasting about 35 minutes which requires from the examinee to perform five randomly selected nursing skills from a set of 25 skills under the supervision of trained nurses. Both exams are administered in English, and a fee of written exam is $34 and of a clinical test is $45. Also, Arkansas Board of Nursing charges an additional fee of $10 for verification of eligibility of applicants.

Of course, it is very important that you take a practice exam as a sort of review. The knowledge you gain from the practice exam is applicable to the written and oral certification examination. Nursing skills and knowledge will be evaluated to find if you are prepared for the exam and what areas you need to study more. Most of the time, the exam will cover on topics like the range of motion, hand washing, sponge bath, feeding, vital signs taking, grooming and dealing with patients having communicable diseases.

Each candidate has a maximum of three chances in passing the exam within two years of finishing the program, before re-take CNA training. The candidates who are certified are listed on the records of Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry along with their personal information, which helps the employers get relevant required information about their prospective employees. CNA licenses remain valid for 24 months period and need to be renewed through continuing education or examination in the same interval. There is no fee to renew CNA license in the state.

Once you pass the certification exam, you can now start your career in the health care field. Remember that the Arkansas State Board of Nursing is not held responsible in any regulations related to Certified Nursing Aides so you have to seek the Arkansas Long Term Care in case you have concerns related to this profession. Moreover, Prometric also helps in maintaining the registry so you can access their website for any additional information and questions.

CNA Salary and Job Outlook in Arkansas

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Arkansas, can either be a permanent career, or it can be a stepping stone onto other professions in the health field, as many choose to go onto other levels of nursing, including RNs and LPNs.

The range of pay for a CNA in Arkansas varies from $18,000 to $24,000, and one of the biggest factors that affect the CNA salary is the number of years of experience. On average, nursing assistants that work in Arkansas make an annual salary of $22,070.

Hospitals are major employers for CNAs but there are other opportunities as well, such as nursing homes, clinics, private health care centers, public health care facilities, mental care facilities, elderly care centers, convalescent homes, and long-term care facilities and hospice type settings.