All That You Wanted to Know About CNA Classes
At Med1Care, we offer STNA classes for people interested in jobs as nursing assistants. Individuals who plan to work at a nursing home or hospital, or those looking to provide in-home healthcare at assisted living facilities and adult health centers, love our classes. Basically, an STNA is required wherever there’s a need for personal care. If you’re interested in signing up for STNA classes, here are a few things you must know:
• What Is an STNA?
STNA stands for State Tested Nursing Assistant. The term is used only in the State of Ohio. Elsewhere nursing assistants are referred to differently: some are called a CNA or Certified Nurse Aide, an LNA or Licensed Nursing Assistant, or simply a NA or Nursing Aide. A certified nursing assistant is trained to help with bedside patient care: they help patients bathe, walk, eat, and they always make them feel comfortable. STNAs also track a patient’s blood pressure and other vital stats.
• What Does an STNA Class Include:
During a class, an STNA student will learn the basics of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and they’ll understand how the body functions. They learn basic medical terminology, they’ll understand how to use medical equipment such as blood pressure cuffs and gauges, and they’ll even learn legal implications related to patient care. For example, students are taught physician-patient privilege, and they’re made to understand what happens if they’re careless, if they fail to provide care, and how to handle situations that are beyond the student’s scope.
• What Are the Minimum Requirements for Completing STNA Classes:
You can sign up for STNA classes either after high school or after finishing a GED. To complete the course, students must complete around 3 weeks of learning, which includes classroom learning and clinical studies. Coursework includes observing patients, reviewing patients’ rights, understanding protocols, learning safety skills, and practicing communication skills. Among other things, clinical studies include administering CPR and understanding different illnesses.
Why Should You Sign up for STNA Classes with Us:
Med1Care not only promises a 95 percent job placement but also 98 percent pass rate. We offer a flexible schedule to accommodate people with busy lives too. Courses are taught by registered nurses certified to teach the STNA curriculum. Payment options are flexible, and this is to help students with financial difficulties.
The terms CNA and STNA are the synonyms for nurse aides. Often, students get confused, and consider certified nursing assistant (CNA) and state tested nurse aide (STNA) as separate professions. In fact, both the careers are similar. The word STNA is used for nurse aides, in the state of Ohio.
Here is the detail information about these professionals:
- Education
Both the professionals do not require any higher education to pursue their work. GED or high school diploma is enough.
- Training
CNAs have to undergo a training of at least that many hours as mandated by the state. These programs should be recognized by the Department of Health of the concerned state. The topics included in theoretical classes are CPR, first aid, nutrition, infection control, body mechanics, etc. The practical classes teach about how to take vital statistics, administration of medicine, moving and feeding the patients, etc. The STNAs also have to undergo the similar type of training and the same topics are covered in the curriculum.
- Certification
You will get a nursing assistant or state tested nurse aide certification, only if you qualify the certification exam conducted by the respective state.
- Job Responsibilities
The job responsibilities of both the professionals are same. Both perform the following duties:
- Measuring and recording the vital parameters of the patient.
- Controlling infection.
- Meeting the physical and emotional needs of the patient.
- Taking care of sanitation and hygiene.
- Monitoring the condition of the patient and reporting the same to the doctor or the supervisor nurse.
- Cleaning the patient’s room.
- Handling the medical instruments.
- Assisting the clients in bathing, feeding and dressing.
- Transferring and lifting the sufferers.
- Making beds.
- Answering call signals promptly.
- Measuring liquid and food intake and output.
State tested nurse aides and certified nurse aides work in the similar environment and settings. They may find a job in patient’s home, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, residential care facilities, clinics, day care centers, assisted living facilities, etc. Many times, they have to work for long hours. Both these professionals have a hectic and busy working schedule.
- Salary
The mean annual salary of STNAs is $23,000. CNAs can earn an average income up to $25,000 yearly. Experience, geographic location, educational qualification and the state decides the salary of these professionals. They can obtain additional benefits, like paid leaves, good overtime, medical insurance and retirement benefits.