Find Your CNA Classes HERE
Certified Nursing Assistants have a lot of responsibilities. They provide primary care to patients like feeding, toileting, vital signs monitoring, and many other tasks. They also work together with nurses and doctors to provide safe and effective healthcare services. Thus, CNA’s play an important role in the healthcare field and are highly needed to maintain the patient health to its optimum level. However, becoming a CNA is not that difficult or time consuming. A CNA classes often takes a few weeks or less than one semester, plus, the schedules are often flexible. If you are currently employed, you can choose weekend or evening weekday classes. On the other hand, if you are unemployed, you can take paid CNA classes or avail yourself of scholarships and grant programs offered by schools in Los Angeles. That is why you can be a Certified Nursing Assistant without compromising your current situation. You need to know where to take the CNA class and pass the certification exam provided by the state.
A Few Options for CNA Classes in Los Angeles:
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles City College offers a 6-unit CNA training program that prepares students for the certification exam and qualifiesthem to work in the healthcare field with an entry level position. The course is approved by the Department of Health and it puts emphasis on infection control, social support to patients, safety, therapeutic communication, anatomy and physiology, disease progression and appropriate interventions applicable to CNA’s. Prospective students of the program should provide their physical exam and chest X-ray result, undergo a TB test and background check before course admission. Tuition cost for California residents starts from $46 per unit and can be more for those who are not residents of the state. The course is open to everyone including adults who want to change careers. Class schedules are flexible and class size is small; giving a more personalized approach to classroom instruction and clinical supervision.
Los Angeles Vocational Institute
Los Angeles Vocational Institute (LAVI) offers a Certified Nursing Assistant program that covers 8 weeks of classroom instruction and clinical practice. This 160-hour program will train students in the basic nursing principles and skills needed for the profession. This includes anatomy and physiology, infection control, patient safety, basic nursing care, nutrition and many other subjects. Students have to be 18 years old or above and with GED or high school diploma to enroll. The Los Angeles Vocational Institute is a vocational institution funded by the Veterans Administration, and every individual who has undergone the CNA training will pay nothing for the entire course. However, admission is limited and meticulous; thus applicants must make sure they satisfy the requirements of the Los Angeles Vocational Institute. It is not difficult to undergo the nursing assistant program here because of the school’s quality education and facilities.
West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College provides a nine-week CNA program to qualify for the state certification exam. Individuals interested for the program should be aware of the 54 hours of classroom lectures and 108 hours of clinical practice needed and avoid absences that will delay graduation. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening on campus. Emphasis is placed on patient safety principles, anatomy and physiology, infection control, nutrition, therapeutic communication, providing physical care and emotional support, handling patients with challenging behaviour and many other areas. The entire course is a combined format of lectures, laboratory training and clinical practice in such a way to equip the students with the requisite knowledge and skills. The instructors of the program are all licensed and qualified nurses or nursing assistants, who supervise the clinical practice in a hospital or nursing home.
Los Angeles Job Corps
Los Angeles Job Corps provides a no-cost CNA training program to individuals age 16 to 24 years old. This program includes free housing, meals and a cost of living stipend so students are assured of completing the program without financial worries. Every individual who wishes to apply must pass the requirements of the institution. They should complete the 8 to 12 months of training without absences to graduate. Los Angele Job Corps has great facilities and instructors for the classroom lectures, laboratory training and clinical practice. This combined mode of instruction equips every aspiring nursing assistant with the necessary knowledge and skills of the profession. Once they pass the training and certification exams, the Los Angeles Job Corps will provide assistance in finding employment. This is a great opportunity to get a stable job directly after getting certification as a nursing assistant.