Find Your CNA Classes HERE
A Certified Nursing Assistant is a person who assists in the care of patients with illnesses, injuries, or disabilities in order to maintain their health and well-being. These jobs are often found in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health care services and private duty nursing.
Certified Nursing Assistants provide all of the basic nursing care for patients including medical assessment and monitoring of vital signs, assisting with personal hygiene needs including giving baths/showers/impromptu sponge baths to incontinent or bedbound patients. Certified Nursing Assistants are also expected to recognize changes in patient health status and report them appropriately to medical staff.
As an employee of a nursing home or hospital, you can expect daily interactions with elderly patients who need help getting dressed or out of bed, who may require assistance defecating or urinating. Your work environment may be hot and humid or cold and drafty. Caring for the elderly patients requires a high level of physical stamina and professional conduct; it is important not to let your emotions affect these patients’ well-being.
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary varies with experience and employment location.
Salary of CNAs in Santa Monica, CA
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are paid an average of $17.93 per hour that makes $37,287 annually.
California CNA Certification Requirements
You must know what are the state requirements to acquire CNA Certificate so you may choose the best CNA Program that can work around the state. In California, there are minimal requirements for CNAs to work as a licensed nurse’s aid. According to California Department of Public Health, the requirements to obtain CNA Certification in California are:
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To be at least 16 years old
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To successfully complete an approved CNA training program
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To obtain a criminal record clearance
What Type of CNA Program Should I Sign Up For and What Should I Expect?
There are a few things to consider before signing up for a CNA program. When it comes to deciding whether or not you should enroll in a CNA program, do not be discouraged by the overwhelming number of options available to you, such as online programs and in-person classes. When you’re trying to decide what type of CNA program you want, there are three main ways that the programs can be run:
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Online Courses: Online courses offer flexibility in when and how often they can be taken. You can attend them at your convenience and in an environment that is comfortable for you.
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In-Person: The in-person option requires less time commitment and provide more experience than online courses, but may be inconvenient in some cases.
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Hybrid: Many programs are running hybrid courses, which combine the flexibility of online courses with the flexibility of in-person classes. This allows students to get their class work done while also attending them in-person at times that are best for them.
As for what you should expect, it is important to be realistic with yourself. First of all, your local area will play a major role in the type of CNA program that you can enroll in. If you live in an urban area there are more options available to you than if you live in a rural area. And if you live in an even more rural area, healthcare facilities might be far away from home and the only option for a CNA program that is within driving distance is an online program or an internship. In this situation, local community colleges may have the only option, but it’s still up to you whether or not it’s convenient for your schedule and lifestyle.
CNA Programs in Santa Monica, CA
Certified Nursing Assistant classes are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required for the job of CNA. These classes are not only educational but also hands-on. Students get to learn the theory behind their work and then get hands-on experience in hospitals or nursing homes. Here are some CNA Classes offered in Santa Monica, CA.
American Red Cross Pm, Santa Monica, CA
American Red Cross Pm offers CNA Training and is located at 1450 11st Street, Santa Monica, CA. They can be contacted at 310-394-3773 for course information.
Wise Caregiver Training Academy Day, Santa Monica, CA
Wise Caregiver Training Academy Day offers CNA Training and is located at 1527 4th St., Santa Monica, CA. They can be contacted at 310-394-9871 for course information.
List of all the state approved CNA classes in California can be found here.