UPCOMING COURSES

Please note that we are in the process of adding CNA to our list of available programs. Once approval form the RI Department of Health is obtained, we will be offering this class. We anticipate being able to offer this class soon and have set a tentative date for the first CNA program.

Note also that CNA is a licensed profession in Rhode Island and is not one of the programs accredited by the NHA.

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT COURSE CNA1

• Orientation Session Saturday September 10, 2011
• First class is Monday September 12, 2011
• Classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 9am-12pm
• Click here for CNA1 calendar [not yet available]

TUITION INFORMATION - CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

• Tuition: $900 (includes book, lab fees, and clinical support)
• Application fee: $50
• Uniform: Students must purchase a uniform for class (approximate cost $35); students may purchase more than one uniform if desired
• State testing fee (contact Program Director for more info)
• Payment forms accepted: cash, check, money orders, credit card, and paypal
• 911Programs is an eligible training provider for the RI Department of Labor and Training (if you are receiving unemployment benefits, you may be eligible to take this course using funds from the DLT); if this is the case, call us to discuss options

COURSE PRE-REQUISITES - CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

Requirements for entry into a CNA course

• Applicants must be able to read and write at the 8th grade level and do math at the 6th grade level
  

• Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently
• Although preferable, a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is NOT required to take this course
• Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to contact the program to discuss any necessary accommodations

• Applicants desiring admission to any 911PROGRAMS course of study must read and accept the terms and conditions (course policies) found in the online classroom

GENERAL INFORMATION - CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

Note: The U.S. Department of Laber / Bureau of Labor Statistics has a great deal of information about the Nursing Assistant field. Their website may be accessed by clicking this link: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos327.htm

Overview

The 911PROGRAMS Certified Nursing Assistant program provides complete training in all aspects of the CNA's role including

• Scope of practice, legal issues, and job duties
• Physical assessment skills including vital signs
• Communication techniques with nursing staff, physicians, clients and their families
• Physical nursing skills using both direct patient contact and mannikins with step-by-step procedures
• Medical conditions including disease processes and treatments, psychiatric disorders and treatments, and more

Skills will be taught in our on-site laboratory (which is a model of a real skilled nursing facility and hospital unit with bedside setups) and in the clinical setting of a skilled nursing facility or hospital. Upon successful completion of this program (which includes written and practical examinations), graduates are eligible to take the NNAAP (National Nurses Aide Assessment Program Examination) offered through the RI Department of Health that is composed of a written and clinical portion at the Community College of Rhode Island. The student may work for 120 days pending licensure after successful graduation.

Jump-Start Your Career in the Medical Field

If you've wanted a career in the medical field but didn't want to spend 2 years in school; if you like working independently and as part of a team; if you like flexible hours including nights and weekends and various work sites such as Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Home Care, Clinics, Schools, Physician offices, and Camp; the CNA program is for you.  In only 10 weeks you can become certified as a Nursing Assistant.  In our program, we don't require that you take several non-related courses - we focus on the core curriculum needed for a Certified Nursing Assistant. Whether you're sure you want to begin a fulfilling career as a nursing assistant or if you plan on choosing a different path altogether, medical training can provide you with a solid foundation on which you can build your future.  If you are thinking about becoming a health care provider, you should choose a program with a proven track record.

What does a CNA do?

• Assist the RN and LPN with physical and mental assessments and various physical changes of the patient
  

• You are the eyes and ears for the nursing team and must report all changes to the nurse
  

• You assist with physical care and can be the closest person for the ill patient to rely on
• You are responsible for being compassionate, true, kind, keeping your client safe at all times, reporting changes promptly to the nurse and taking care of all the needs of the client including bed changing, feeding, showers and bed baths, physical exercise to whole body rehab, and psychosocial skills within your scope of practice
• What Can't a CNA do? By RI laws, nothing invasive is allowed: meaning no IVs, needles, enemas, shots, catheter insertion, GI tube insertion or feedings, Chest tube insertion, and no oxygen treatment - that's a nurse's job. (CNAs may maintain oxygen safely). No orthopedic treatments or touching equipment without the nurse
• No medications are given - they are given by an RN or Medication Technician only. CNAs may give medication reminders only
  

How much does a CNA make?

Generally a CNA makes $9.71-13.76 per hour before shift differential.  A shift differential is offered by many institutions as an incentive for working evenings, nights and weekends.  An example of a common differential is $1 per hour for second shift (3-11pm), $1.50 per hour for third shift (11pm-7am), and $2 per hour for weekends.  For example, a CNA working third shift on a Saturday might make $3.50 per hour more in some hospitals.  More experienced CNAs can make more.

CERTIFICATION

Rhode Island

• Students of this course must take the NNAAP exam offered at the Community College of Rhode Island after successful graduation
  
• The NNAAP test is given in two parts: Written Test and Clinical Skills Practical and evaluated by Registered Nurses
• You have three chances to pass otherwise you MUST take the CNA program over again within a year

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES- CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS

Career Paths

CNAs have the opportunity to work in various fields

• Hospitals

• Doctor's offices

• Clinics
• Nursing homes
• Camps
• School systems
• Walk-in emergency rooms
• Hospital emergency rooms

What is the job potential for CNAs right now?

According to the RI Department of Health, there are an abundance of CNA jobs that need to be filled.  You must be flexible. There are incentive bonuses offered at the beginning of your new hire and some sites offer continuing education if you work full time.

COURSE DESCRIPTION - CNA

The 911PROGRAMS CNA Curriculum

The course curriculum may differ from program to program to suit the needs of the student and provide a comprehensive educational experience.  The course hours and content always exceeds the minimum state and national standards as does the instructor to student ratio.  Please refer to individual training program syllabuses for more detailed information.

The CNA Course has 2 phases

• The Didactic portion with incorporate classroom lectures as well as lab stations for hands-on practice
• The clinical experience

Course hours and schedule

The didactic portion is about 90 hours but may be increased based on the needs of the students. The clinical portion is about 30 hours.

For schedule, refer to the specific course you are interested in.

Course Delivery Method

911PROGRAMS Didactic lessons are delivered almost entirely by PowerPoint presentation with accompanying handouts which are available in our exclusive online classroom.  Other forms of instruction include overhead projection of materials, written information on a dry erase board, video presentations, actual case presentations, as well as scenarios and hands-on practice.  The laboratory portion will be delivered in a more informal setting using hands-on practice with equipment and a student:instructor ratio of no greater than 10:1.

Continuing Education

• Once the CNA passes the licensing exam, continuing education credits are not required by law