CNA Classes Pine Bluff, AR

As the population ages, employment opportunities for nurse assistants are expected to grow 12 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Certified Nurse Assistants provide the bulk of patient care in long-term facilities. They work round the clock attending to clients’ physical, spiritual, and emotional needs and forming close bonds with those in their charge. Their responsibilities vary by the type of facility, but must always fall within the state and federal defined scope of practice. The most common duties include assisting patients with the activities of daily living (grooming, toileting, bathing, dressing, mobility, meals), listening to concerns and reporting vital information to nurses, taking vital signs and keeping a record, housekeeping (making beds, emptying bedpans, changing linens), and ensuring patients’ overall satisfaction and comfort. Like a nurse, CNAs must be patient, compassionate, committed, organized, and physically capable of performing the strenuous tasks associated with the profession. While the job itself is rewarding, many CNAs use the experience as a stepping-stone to the career as a registered nurse.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

UAMS combines certified nursing assistant training with home caregiver training to prepare students with the skills to apply for nurse aide certification employment in health care. Students who complete the program will be eligible to take the Arkansas Certified Nurse Aide Exam. The course comprises of three components, all geared towards the advancement of caregiving skills and responsibilities. The fast-track CNA component is taught by a licensed nurse and covers 91 hours of theory and hands-on training. Students must participate in a clinical rotation, at least 16 hours, at a long-term care facility. Clinical sessions may begin as early as 6:30 am. The In-Home Assistant component (40 hours) provides students with the skills to care for the older adult in the home. Areas of study include providing companionship, maintaining a clean and safe environment, assisting with the activities of daily living, and conversing with patients. The Home Care Assistant component covers 60 hours of instruction that builds on the IHA module. Students will learn practical skills such as checking and recording vital signs and using a mechanical lift. The Alzheimer’s and Dementia training is 16 hours of specialized instruction that covers the types of dementia, communicating effectively, diseases and conditions associated with dementia, environmental factors, activities, and managing challenging patients. Students who complete all three levels of the program can assume the title “Geriatric Home Caregiver.”

Admission criteria:

  • Watch the online orientation video
  • Submit a completed application with the non-refundable application fee
  • Complete a criminal background check – certain infractions will inhibit admission to the program
  • Obtain negative TB skin test results
  • Pass a 10-panel drug screen
  • Purchase a watch with a second hand
  • Have current liability insurance
  • Must be able to write, read, and speak English
  • Pay the program’s tuition upon acceptance to the program

Tuition must be paid in full by the first day of the program.

Renaissance Healthcare

The nursing assistant program at Renaissance Healthcare prepares students for the state nurse aide exam. The program is approved by the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry. The program will cover theory in the classroom and practical skills development in a simulated lab. Students will also participate in an off-site clinical rotation where they will work with other students under the supervision of a licensed nurse instructor to care for patients in an approved nursing facility. The curriculum will cover medical terminology, measuring and recording vital signs, methods of infection control, nutrition, the role and responsibility of a nurse aide, observation and reporting, measuring fluid intake and output, range of motion exercises, Alzheimer’s care, and basic nursing skills. Students must commit to attending all classes and clinical sessions to graduate from the program. Absenteeism and tardiness will result in dismissal from the programs. Students who complete all the requirements will receive a Nursing Assistant Certificate will be eligible to sit for the Arkansas Nurse Aide Exam administered by Prometric. Successful candidates will be added to the Nurse Aide Registry.

Admission criteria:

  • Attend a nurse aide information session
  • Submit a completed application with the non-refundable application fee
  • Complete a criminal background check
  • Obtain negative TB skin test results
  • Pass a 10-panel drug screen
  • Have current liability insurance
  • Must be able to write, read, and speak English

The tuition for the program is $550. A payment plan is available for all students.

Medlinc

Medlinc prepares students for success on the State Nurse Aide Exam. The school has an exceptional pass rate on the state exam – 100 percent on the Written test and 93 percent on the Clinical Skills. The training includes 90 hours of theory and practical hands-on work to equip students with the knowledge and skills to succeed on the state exam and function as competent nurse aides in a long-term care facility. The Mandatory clinical sessions will give students the opportunity to put the classroom sessions to use in a real-world environment. Students must attend all classroom and clinical sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion. Course topics include basic nursing skills, medical terminology, body structure and function, the role of the nurse aide, safety and emergency procedures, nutrition and feeding, infection control, patients’ rights and independence, laws and ethics, observation and reporting, communication, first aid, care across lifespan, and hospice care. Day and evening schedules are available. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the State Nurse Aide exam.

Admission criteria:

  • Attend a nurse aide information session
  • Submit a completed application with the non-refundable application fee
  • Complete a criminal background check
  • Obtain negative TB skin test results
  • Pass a 10-panel drug screen
  • Have current liability insurance
  • Must be able to write, read, and speak English

State and federal funding are available for eligible students. Medlinc offers job placement assistance to all students.

Arkansas College Of Health Careers

Arkansas College of Health Careers equips nursing assistant students with the knowledge and skills to function as capable direct care professionals in an acute or long-term care facility. A combination of theory and practical coursework will prepare graduates for success on the State Nurse Aide exam. Experienced instructors will use lectures, demonstrations, presentations, interactive discussions, and role-play in the classroom to cover the coursework. Practical skills sessions on campus, followed by supervised patient care experiences, will support the development of technical skills, critical thinking, clinical judgment, observation, communication, and teamwork. Patient-centered care and safety will be a key emphasis throughout the program. Course topics include measuring vital signs, observation and reporting, infection control, positioning and transfers, nutrition, body structure and function, death and dying, restraints, safety and emergency procedures, range of motion exercises, basic nursing skills, patients’ rights, and Alzheimer’s care. The duration of the program is five weeks. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 5:45 pm to 9:45 pm.

Admission criteria:

  • Attend an interview with an Admissions Representative
  • Provide proof of high school completion or GED
  • Provide a copy of Arkansas state photo ID and social security card
  • Submit a completed application with the non-refundable application fee
  • Complete a criminal background check
  • Obtain negative TB skin test results
  • Pass a 10-panel drug screen
  • Have current liability insurance
  • Must be able to write, read, and speak English
  • Complete a student enrollment agreement

A payment plan is available for all students.

Southeast Arkansas College

Southeast Arkansas College hosts a Nursing Assistant/Home Care Aide program that prepares students for health care employment. The content emphasizes the safe and effective care of patients in a health care or home environment. Students will learn how to assist patients with the activities of daily living and the provision of basic nursing skills. They will learn how to measure and monitor pulse rate, respiration, temperature, and blood pressure, assist clients with personal care such as bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, and transfer patients from the bed to wheelchair and back again. Other key skills include making beds, meal planning and serving, communication, body mechanics, infection control, use of assistive devices, patient safety, and caring for patients with special needs. The curriculum will cover theory in the classroom that will form the foundation for further study. Course topics include patients’ rights, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, legal and ethical principles, patient confidentiality, caring for culturally diverse patients, and much more. Students will develop and practice skills in a simulated lad in preparation for the clinical rotations at a long-term care facility. Students will qualify for a Home Care Aide Certificate after completing the first 48 hours, and the Nursing Assistant Certificate of Proficiency will be given at the conclusion of the program. Graduates will be eligible to take the written and skills competency exam that leads to certification as a Nurse Aide in Arkansas State. The program admits new students in the Spring, Fall and Summer semesters. The duration of the program is 8 weeks. Saturday classes run for 10 weeks.

Admission criteria:

  • Complete all the requirements for general admission to the college
  • Complete the ACT with a reading score of 19 or the COMPASS exam with a score of 83 or the Accuplacer with a score of 78
  • Attend an interview and obtain approval from the Nursing & Allied Health faculty to register for the program
  • Submit a completed SAC Nursing and Allied Health Application form
  • Pas a criminal background check
  • Complete the health requirements including a drug screen, TB test, and immunizations

Tuition costs $1,424 for students who complete the requirements in the normal time.

Crystal G

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.