CNA Classes Cape Coral, FL

Patient care is a learning process. It requires compassion, patience, flexibility and good communication skills. A career as a Certified Nursing Assistant provides an opportunity to practice the art of nursing with some limitations. CNAs form a vital part of the patient care team as they care for patients under the direction of a licensed nurse or physician. The responsibilities vary by setting, but it is a generally grueling profession that requires long hours of standing, bending and lifting. Nursing assistant programs, offered at adult education centers, community colleges, high schools, and vocational schools, consist of theory and practical patient care to prepare students for the job. The training can take several weeks to complete but it is one of the fastest means of entering healthcare. Students learn how to bathe, groom and dress patients, assist with the activities of daily living, take vital signs, provide range of motion exercises, transfer patients, and communicate effectively with patients, families, and members of the health care team. Graduates must pass the written and skills components of the state exam to be listed on the Florida Nurse Aide Registry. Training and experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant are beneficial for those who are contemplating nursing school. Administrators look favorably upon applicants who complete this step as studies indicate that experience and exposure to the fast-paced world of patient care will fortify students for the intense nursing curriculum.

Cape Coral Technical College

The board approved nursing assistant program at Cape Coral Technical College prepares students for a career in health in just 6 weeks. The curriculum includes classroom lectures, practical experiences in the skills lab, and a supervised externship at a local health care facility. Areas of study include the role and responsibility of the nurse aide, personal hygiene, safety and emergency procedures, communication and interpersonal skills, and infection control. The program includes Health Science Core, which is 90 hours, and Articulated Nursing Assistant, which is 75 hours for a total of 165 hours. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm for 6 weeks. Clinical time starts at 6:30 am. CCTC maintains small class sizes to provide personalized instruction. Graduates are eligible to take the state certification exam offered at the school’s facility. Applicants must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Before admission, the applicant must take the TABE and score at the 8th-grade level or above, and complete immunizations, drug screening and a background check. Tuition is an affordable $554. Books and supplies cost $524.

Zeal Technical Institute

Southwestern Vocational Training offers a CNA prep course that is specifically designed for persons who may have experience in healthcare or prior certification as a CNA. Candidates who do not have experience or prior education should take the HHA along with the CNA prep course to prepare for employment in either role. Applicants must have a driver’s license and social security number. Day and evening class options are available. The daytime class meets Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for one week. The evening class meets Monday through Thursday from 5:30 pm to 9:45 pm for two weeks. The cost of training is $440 and includes registration, tuition, supplies, and materials.

Mariner High School

The nursing assistant program at Mariner High School is open to high school students in the twelfth grade. The training is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and follows the guidelines for nurse aide training including an off-site clinical. Classroom instruction includes basic nursing skills, infection control, body structure and function, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, introduction to healthcare, and communication and interpersonal relationships. Students also have the opportunity to become CPR certified. As a part of the training, students will participate in supervised clinical activities where they care for patients and apply the principles learned in the classroom and skills lab. The classroom theory and clinical experiences prepare students for the state certification exam. Tuition is free for resident students.

Ida S. Baker High School

The nursing assistant program at Ida S Baker High School is open to high school students in the twelfth grade. The training is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. The curriculum includes classroom lectures, practical experiences in the school’s lab, and a supervised clinical experience in a skilled nursing facility. Classroom instruction includes basic nursing skills, infection control, body structure and function, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, introduction to healthcare, and communication and interpersonal relationships. CPR training in included and students can choose to obtain certification. The clinical experience will be directed by a licensed nurse instructor and will give students real-world patient care experiences to prepare for the world of work. The classroom theory and clinical experiences prepare students for the knowledge and skills components of the state certification exam. Tuition is free for resident students.