1. CNA Training in Arkansas
This article posted at the CNA Certification and Training blog.
CNA training in Arkansas is a smart career choice as according to the US Bureau of Labor
Statistics the growth rate in the healthcare field is expected to rise 22% in the next years in
state.
As long as you have completed CNA training the and you have passed the CNA certification
exam in Arkansas, you will be able to get a job in nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, private
health care centers, public health care facilities, mental care facilities, elderly care centers,
convalescent homes and long-term care facilities, and it will also be a good start for those who
would like to pursue a higher position in healthcare.
The Office of long Term Care section of the Arkansas Department of Human Services has
approved many CNA training programs offered by community colleges, nursing schools and
many healthcare facilities and other educational facilities, as well as online CNA programs or
distance learning courses that meet all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements.
Also, the local Red Cross chapter in area provides training for those who are wished to work in
the healthcare industry as a certified nursing assistant. Additional, you can find free CNA
training in Arkansas, through long-term care centers and assisted living nursing homes, which
will even pay for the certification exam, in exchange the employment for a specified period of
time upon completing training and obtaining a CNA license.
As a CNA you will assist in many ways in nursing field, such as with provide support in doctors
and nurses in a health care setting, taking vital signs, keeping health records noting changes in
a patient's condition or behavior, answer questions from family, infection control, administering
medication, explain prevention methods, and the proper operating and maintaining of medical
equipment, as well as by providing basic care of patients, toileting, bathing and grooming,
dressing, feeding, keeping rooms clean, preparing beddings, always under the supervision of an
RN or physician.
Requirements of CNA Trainings in Arkansas
Applicants for enrolling in an approved CNA training program should be at least 16 years old
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2. 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 CNA certification exam as well as
a career as a nursing assistant in health field.
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.
The practical training include 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 fee may
range from $800 to $2000.
Arkansas CNA Requirements and Certification
After completing the training program, students they have to pass the CNA exam through
Prometric, supervised by Arkansas Department of Human Services.
The CNA exam consist 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 fee of written exam is $34 and of clinical test is $45. Also,
Arkansas Board of Nursing charges an additional fee of $10 for verification of eligibility of
applicants.
Each examinee has maximum three chances of 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 same interval. There is not fee to renew CNA license in state.
CNA Employment in Arkansas
As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Arkansas, can either be a permanent career, or it
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3. 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 is from $18,000 to $22,000, but one of the biggest
factors that affect the CNA salary is experience.
Hospitals are a major source of jobs for CNA’s but there are other opportunities 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 organizations.
Arkansas CNA Helpful Links
Nursing - American Red Cross
American Nurses Association
National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA)
National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)
Nurse Aide Employment Outlook 2010-2011
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Arkansas Office of long Term Care
Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry
Arkansas Nursing Students' Association
Arkansas School Nurses Association
Arkansas Nurses Association
Prometric
CNA Training in Arkansas
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