Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to take the Nurse Aide Course?
Anyone 16 years of age or older can take the course. In order to take the state exam, you must be able to speak, read and write in English.
What are the job responsibilities of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
Moon River Nursing Careers will prepare students to help patients with the activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, grooming, taking vital signs and monitoring intake and output. CNAs provide 80-90 percent of all direct care in facilities. They are the eyes and ears of the healthcare team, and may provide life-saving information. Observations may include reporting a fever, high blood pressure, weakness, loss of appetite, slurred speech, pain, swelling, skin changes, disorientation and other concerns. Immediate notification to the nurse supervisor of a patient’s complaint of chest pain, nausea, numbness or difficulty breathing can facilitate necessary medical attention.
What is the job market for a CNA?
Healthcare professionals are in great demand due to the aging population. Three million baby boomers will hit retirement every year until 2029 (The Bureau of Labor Statistics). Unfortunately, there are not enough nurses or nursing assistants to care for them, creating opportunities for healthcare careers.
There are 4.5 million caregivers providing direct care to patients in nursing homes or other facilities every day. (The National Network of Career Nursing Assistants). It is projected that in the next 25 years, there will be a need for 700,000 more nursing assistants to meet the needs of our aging population.
Where are the jobs?
A CNA has many options for employment (full-time and part-time) that include, but are not limited to, hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living, medical offices, clinics, memory care, hospice care and home health. The national and local shortage of CNAs provides the opportunity to find a job that best matches your lifestyle preferences. A CNA can work three 12 hour days and have four days off every week. Those working a night shift often enjoy premium pay. Those seeking shorter, more flexible hours find that working in Home Health is a great fit. With the opportunity to work in so many different healthcare settings, you can explore different career paths and never be bored!
What does a CNA do?
• Communicates with patients in a caring, compassionate manner
• Observes changes in the patient’s condition and reports these to the charge nurse in a timely manner
• Takes and records vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature)
• Responds to call lights when patients requests assistance
• Turns, repositions and transfers patients
• Documents patient information regarding intake and output
• By words and actions, conveys that each patient is valued and that his/her concerns are heard
What type of person is a good candidate to become a CNA?
Individuals considering becoming an aide should have a genuine passion for caring for others and find it rewarding to assist them with the activities of daily living.
A CNA should be kind, patient, a good listener, attentive to detail, reliable, responsible, adaptable, and enjoy learning. A CNA needs the physical strength to transfer and lift patients. He/she needs to be able to follow protocol, have good communication skills, a positive attitude and a cheerful demeanor. It is also essential to be calm in a crisis, non-judgmental, compassionate and empathetic. A CNA always shows respect to patients, supervisors and co-workers and acts with integrity at all times.
Aides play an important role as caregivers. Their concern for the patient is communicated by kind words and actions. The words of Maya Angelou are very relevant to the role of the nursing assistant.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Why select Moon River Nursing Careers for your Nurse Aide training?
The nurse instructors at Moon River Nursing Careers are passionate about the quality of patient care and feel it is a privilege to train Nursing Assistants. The instructors collectively have more than 50 years of nursing experience. They have worked in medical oncology, long-term care, school clinics, and in-home care including pediatrics and senior care. They have professional experience in case management, education, and have worked or currently work as nurse supervisors in healthcare management.
What is the uniform requirement?
Students can attend class in casual attire. The days that are exclusively lab sessions and clinical days require wearing scrubs and closed-toe shoes. Moon River Nursing Careers will provide students with one set of scrubs as part of the course tuition.
What supplies will I need for the classroom and lab?
Moon River Nursing careers will provide a Nurse Aide workbook, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, gloves and a two piece scrubs uniform.
How do I register for the NNAAP exam to become a CNA?
When you successfully complete the written and practical exam at Moon River Nursing Careers, you will hold the necessary certificate to take the NNAAP exam. Your instructor will register you, and the fee is included in your course registration at Moon River Nursing Careers.
