Certified Nursing Assistant Training in Georgia

What is a CNA?

If you’re looking for a way to get started in the field of healthcare, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) may be the perfect opportunity for you. CNAs are crucial in Georgia nursing homes and hospitals. In this role, you may work with long-term residents and acute care patients.

How Can I Become a Nurse Aide (CNA) in Georgia?

Ready to take your healthcare career to the next level?

Contact CNA classes in Georgia to learn more about your options in this state.

Learning how to become a nurse’s aide is the first step to becoming a CNA and qualifying for employment in Georgia. Luckily, this field lets you get started in the workforce with just a few weeks of training. You can use this experience to explore careers in nursing and make a difference in patients’ lives.

What Kind of CNA Training Do I Need in Georgia?

You’re looking for a CNA training class that fits your needs, but what does that mean? The state approves numerous healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and community colleges to offer CNA programs. With the right education, you could be on your way to a healthcare career in a month or less. Reach out to patient care tech and nursing assistant programs today to get started.

Getting Into a Certified Nursing Assistant Program in Georgia

Compared to other healthcare career training programs, CNA programs are extremely short in duration. You don’t need to spend one to two years getting the education you need to start working. Instead, most CNA certification programs in Georgia last just 4 to 8 weeks.

Getting accepted to a nurse assistant training program isn’t as difficult as it is to get into some other healthcare programs. You generally just need a high school diploma; some programs even accept high school students with the approval of their parents. The admissions process is very quick, making it easy for you to choose schools and get started on your paperwork.

Nurse Aide Application Requirements

Physical exam
Drug screen
Negative TB test
Criminal background check

CNA Training in Georgia

Federal laws require that every state maintain a registry of nursing aides. However, each state has the freedom to set its own training requirements and standards. Georgia’s requirements are about average when compared to other nursing assistant training laws. Georgia CNA requirements demand that each school offer at least 80 hours of training in a CNA program. CNA programs may begin clinical work after students have done at least 16 hours of classroom work. You may spend the early days of your program studying healthcare theory and learning about the procedures used in daily care. Once you start your clinical work, you have to be able to apply this knowledge to the needs of your clients.

Keep in mind that all clinical work must be supervised. There’s a lot to learn in any new field, and as a healthcare provider, you need to follow specific protocols and meet very high standards. The feedback you get from instructors may help you hit these goals.

In addition to requiring that nursing assistant programs contain at least 80 hours of training, the state of Georgia outlines specific topics that must be covered in your education. These topics are tested on when you apply for certification, so take thorough notes and practice clinical skills as much as possible.

Typical CNA Classes in Georgia

Hygiene
Grooming and dressing
Hydration and feeding
Infection control
Toileting assistance
Basic nursing skills
Technical procedures
Independence of patients
Spiritual and cultural needs
Communication
Client rights
Legal and ethical issues in healthcare

Since only 16 hours have to come from classroom and laboratory training, you may spend up to 64 hours working with patients in nursing homes and clinics. That’s why online study simply isn’t an option for aspiring nurse assistants. Certified nursing assistants have to get plenty of practice working with clients, which isn’t possible in an online program. While clinical work must be done in person, some schools do allow you to do some of your classroom work online. This may offer a bit more flexibility in your schedule.

CNA Certification as a Prerequisite for Nursing School in Georgia

If you’re a nursing school applicant, you may be looking into Georgia CNA training options because it is required by your school. CNA classes in Georgia may give you the skills you need to jump right into a nursing program and start making a difference. You may think that, as a registered nurse, you won’t have to worry about bathing or feeding patients.

CNAs aren’t always available, though, and it’s important that you be ready to jump into the fray and make sure that patients’ needs are met. Spending time in a nurse’s assistant program may help you get comfortable with routine tasks and be ready to meet the expectations of the patients you serve. Furthermore, these skills lay a strong foundation for higher level nursing skills. Mastering these protocols now may help you thrive once you hit more difficult nursing courses.

Paying for a CNA Program in Georgia

One of the benefits of certified nurse aide training is the fact that these programs tend to be fairly inexpensive. As a CNA student, you may be able to finish your education with less than $1,000 in expenses. If you need assistance with your educational expenses, there are options to consider. Nurse assistant scholarships are available through some local and national organizations. Your first step should be filling out the FAFSA, which tells you whether or not your education qualifies for federal aid.

Once you have exhausted those options, you can apply for scholarships and grants through private organizations. Peterson’s maintains a comprehensive scholarship list that may help you find programs you qualify for. The Georgia-based Emily Slaughter Community Foundation offers an annual CNA scholarship to graduating high school seniors.

Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Georgia

CNA License Requirements in Georgia

As noted, every state has to maintain a list of certified nursing assistants who have passed the mandatory tests. This makes it easier for employers to hire qualified staff and avoid hiring nursing assistants who have harmed patients in the past.

You may start this process before finishing your CNA training in Georgia. You may apply to take your certified nurse aide exam through the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Service. This involves passing a written test and a physical skills test. The examination fee in Georgia is $122.

You do have to bring certain documents with you when you take your test. They’ll verify your identity with your social security card and a government-issued form of identification. After passing both required examinations, you may be listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, which is maintained by the Department of Community Health.

Where are the Best CNA Jobs in Georgia?

Now that you have your license and you’re ready to work as a nurse’s aide, you should start applying for jobs in your area. CNA certification qualifies you to work in almost any healthcare setting.

The most common option for new graduates is assisted living facilities. These facilities provide long-term care to aging patients and those with disabilities that prevent them from living independently. The nature of this work means that staff must be available 24 hours per day. You should be ready to work nights, weekends, and holidays to meet the facility’s needs. As you gain seniority and experience, you may be able to move into more competitive shifts, such as weekday and daytime shifts.

As a certified nursing assistant, you may also work for hospitals and clinics. Hiring patterns vary widely at these facilities; some rely heavily on the work of CNAs and patient care techs, while others stick to LPNs and RNs. As you get close to finishing your nurse assistant training, you should begin comparing jobs and creating a list of places you may apply once you are on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry.

The more time you spend looking into nurse’s assistant jobs in Georgia, the more familiar you may become with their hiring requirements. Many facilities are willing to work with newly licensed CNAs as long as you are willing to stick to their protocols and standards. Some jobs, particularly those in specialized care settings, do require several years of experience.

What Employers Look for in CNA Applicants

Current placement on Georgia Nurse Aide Registry
Relevant experience in a local nursing home or hospital
Flexible schedule
Physical strength
Ability to lift and move safely

What Does a Nursing Assistant Do in Georgia?

With your education behind you, you should have no trouble answering the question “What is a CNA?” Part of answering that question is knowing what your work duties are. While most CNA tasks fall under a large umbrella of entry-level nursing responsibilities, assigned tasks differ between healthcare institutions. While interviewing for jobs, you may want to ask about how CNAs spend their days and what responsibilities fall to them throughout their shift.

Most of your time should be spent caring for patients. Nursing aides are often the first to respond to a patient’s call for help. This frees up RNs’ time and permits them to stick to tasks that only they can do. You may help with routine tasks like toileting, medication administration, and dressing. You may have a strict schedule to stick to throughout your shift. This ensures that patients get to their appointments on time and receive their medications in a timely manner.

Certified Nursing Aide Duties

Catheter care
Ambulation assistance
Vital signs
Client feeding and hydration
Bed baths
Passive and assisted range of motion
Client positioning
Mouth care
Foot care
Use of mechanical transfer equipment

How Much Does a CNA Make in Georgia?

You may find that there’s a lot of variance in nursing assistant salaries throughout Georgia. Salaries tend to be higher in metropolitan areas, but the need for CNAs is generally higher in rural areas. As a result, you may have a bit more room for negotiation if you decide to work in a rural area.

Between 2014 and 2024, O*Net expects job openings for nursing assistants to increase 19% (O*Net, 2017). Currently, the average salary for a Georgia nursing assistant is $23,530 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). It’s important to note that nursing assistants are typically paid on an hourly basis, rather than an annual salary. For this reason, you may be able to boost your income through overtime and holiday pay.

Important CNA Resources in Georgia

In the medical industry, it’s crucial to have a strong network behind you. There’s a lot to learn in this field, and without assistance, you may feel overwhelmed. You may learn from experienced nursing assistants, LPNs, and registered nurses.

Networking is a big part of building a supportive healthcare community. As a nursing student or new CNA, you may want to join local and national groups that represent nursing assistants. You may also qualify for membership in local nursing organizations, although some only accept those who have reached the level of registered nursing. Make time to attend local events, including networking events and training seminars.

You’re ready to look into nurse assistant training in Atlanta and other Georgia cities. Not only is this field growing quickly, it is extremely important to the people in your community. Residents living in assisted living homes deserve to feel comfortable, clean, and safe. Your daily work may help them feel healthy and respected, two extremely important parts of patient care.

As the field of nursing grows, statewide demand for nursing professionals may increase. Georgia’s overall population is growing rapidly; within that, the state’s elderly population has seen significant growth (The Telegraph, 2017). You can make a major difference in the lives of these patients.

Take the first step to a rewarding assisting career today by contacting Georgia CNA programs.