Yes, in order to be a registered STNA, you first have to undergo STNA training and pass your state STNA exam.
If you want to become an STNA, it isn’t enough that you just love caring for people; you have to get certified.
In STNA training, you will be taught of how to properly care for physically or mentally ill patients, those who are undergoing recovery from their illness or accidents, sick patients in hospitals or in home, elderly in nursing homes, and other disabled patient in personal care facilities. Under the supervision of certified nurses or other professional medical staff, you will be trained, too, on how to correctly perform basic nursing skills like bathing, dressing, feeding, light housekeeping, grooming, and more.
Certification for an STNA won’t be achieved unless you completed an STNA training course, which usually takes around 2 to 3 weeks of combined hands-on training and lecture discussions.
STNA program gets completed after not less than 70 hours of training. STNA training classes are offered day and night, depending on your state. In case you have taken an STNA training before but unluckily failed your competency exam, most STNA schools offer refresher courses to refresh your skills and knowledge in care giving and health care.
Applicants for STNA programs must be at least a high school graduate, not less than 16 years of age. A high school diploma or a GED (optional) is required upon STNA classes enrollment. You also have to complete and submit a physical exam record that will certify you are in good health and negative for Tuberculosis, varicella, MMR, or other contagious diseases that might affect the people around you. Some training schools will require you to submit a CPR certificate though it still depends on the school or on your future employer. Expect STNA class facilities to also conduct criminal background check; and if found positive for criminal records, unfortunately, you may not obtain employment for an STNA position, worst for an STNA training entry. Drug screening is also mandatory in most training schools before you get qualified for a training program.
Subject areas for STNA classes also include communication, vital signs read and record, body system functions, how to recognize emergencies, how to treat patients with special needs, motion exercises, how to provide nutrition to patients, personal care, bed/linen change, positioning, transferring patients, and more.
STNAs are certified nursing assistants who have successfully completed STNA training;
therefore, if you really want to start caring for patients professionally and you feel that this is the career path for you, then go ahead and get yourself trained. Remember, without training and certification, your chances of getting employed in nursing homes is lower. STNA is one of the faster growing careers not only in United States but all over the world. More and more patients are in need of good nurse aides to provide them quality health care and assistance, and it could be you.
Enroll for STNA Training class today and get registered.
