CNA Classes in Maryland

CNA Classes In Maryland

Those who wish to work as a nursing assistants in the state of Maryland, must first complete a CNA training program approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBN) that meets the national guidelines and Federal regulations. The federal government of Maryland ensures that the courses included in the education will prepare properly the students for the certification exams.

It is not very difficult to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Maryland.  The CNA classes in Maryland  take you about two months to complete and once you are done with it, you can take the examination and submit the necessary information to the Nurse Aide Registry for the license.

Approved CNA training programs can be offered through community colleges, state universities, specialized schools, the American Red Cross, hospitals, nursing facilities and other healthcare establishments, as well as through online courses and distance education schools which make it easy to access the experiential learning. Furthermore, there are several healthcare facilities that offer free training programs and a job position upon completion of the training and the successful certification.

CNAs usually work under the supervision of a head nurse or any qualified professional and are in constant contact with the patient by providing basic care and support, knowing what to do in emergency cases. The basic duties of nursing assistants include the infection control, feeding, bathing and grooming, administering medication, basic life support and emergency procedures, taking vital signs, such as record blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, weight and height, as well as the proper operating and maintaining of medical equipment.

CNA Training Requirements in Maryland

Most programs require a candidate to be at least 18, while several keep 16 years of age as the minimum age limit. However, nearly all employers will require that the nurse assistants must be at least 18 years old to qualify for employment. The applicants must have a high school diploma or GED certification, be able to read and write in English language, have a clean criminal record and proof tuberculosis test report of the last 6 months.

The Maryland Board of Nursing has approved over 100 certified nursing assistant training programs throughout the state. The fees required to be submitted for enrollment can range from $400 to $2000.

Before you start working as a CNA, it is important that you look for a facility approved by the state offering CNA training classes. Not all CNA training programs are approved by the state so you have to make sure that you can take the exam and be registered as a Certified Nursing Assistant. You can obtain the full list of facilities in Maryland Board of Nursing website. From there, you can see all the necessary fees and the number of hours that each facility offers. Some will offer 72 hours of training while other facilities will offer up to 304 hours. The fees will also range from $200 to $3,000. Just bear in mind that the Maryland state will require a minimum of 100 hours in the training program, inclusive of the classroom sessions and clinical experience.

If in case you are having trouble paying the necessary fees for the training program, you can call the facility and request for a financial assistance. There are numerous facilities like the social services division that are willing to shoulder your expenses in exchange for your employment in the future. This is a great opportunity for you to have a job right after getting certified.

It takes 6 to 12 weeks to complete a CNA training program and the student must attend at least 100 hours of instruction, that should be dedicated to classroom coursework and clinical practice. Each program equip the candidate with sufficient skills and know-how to work as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in state.

The courses cover basic nursing skills and restorative care, treatment options, communication and interpersonal relations, infection control, safety and environmental responsibilities, hygiene, mobility and positioning, basic nutrition, medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology. Students are also advised to take additional classes in mental health care, because just so they can provide quality emotional support to patients. Lastly, coursework should involve proper techniques in emergency and first-aid procedures.

To know more about the CNA classes in Maryland, you can contact directly the facilities offering it. They provide helpful information that you can make use of during the process of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant.

CNA Certification Requirements  in Maryland

Getting certified as a nursing assistant requires you to complete the training program and successfully pass the written exam. Once you pass all of these, you are eligible to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. You will also be required to register yourself in Maryland Nursing Registry.

Within 24 months from the completion of the training program, the student must sit for state certification that is handled by the Geriatric Nursing Assistant Testing Service. The examinee should pass both the written as well as the skills test in order to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and listed to the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry.

The written exam includes multiple-choice questions related to care of patients and responsibilities of nursing assistants. The second section is a clinical exam proficiency skills required for performing nurse aide job, and the examinees are asked to perform five selected tasks appropriate to a CNA job.

The examinee that fail the exam three times must re-take the entire CNA program, before sit for the competency exam again. Renewal of certification is every 2 years and CNAs must have at least 8 hours of paid work. Initial cost of certification is about $20 and re-certification is about $40 every two years.

If your certification is going to expire, you can do the renewal process through the internet; 60 days prior to expiration and 30 days afterwards. Take note that you have to provide a Social Security Number and Personal Information before you can start renewing your certification. Make sure that your name is placed exactly in the database including the certification number and valid email address. The cost for this process will reach to $40 but this fee is still subject to any changes.

CNA Salary and Job Outlook in Maryland

CNA Salary in Maryland 1

The average salary for CNAs in the state of Maryland is about $28,740 per year. This is on top of other benefits which are offered to nurse aides such as medical and dental services, paid vacations and transportation expenses. The salary is slightly higher than national average and is a good stable career to consider if you are looking to get into nursing field.

The job outlook for Certified Nursing Assistants in Maryland is very promising as the state experiences an increase in elderly population which they need healthcare. The improvements in healthcare also require the services of such health workers in various healthcare facilities in the state including the Franklin Square Hospital Center, Holy Cross Hospital, John Hopkins Medicine and Prince George’s Hospital Center

CNA Work Experience in Maryland