CNA Classes Johnson City, TN

If you are considering a certified nursing assistant program, it’s important to think about the career prospects available after you graduate. In Johnson City, like the rest of Tennessee, there is a severe shortage of health care professionals to tend to the aging and retiring baby-boomers. Though advances in health care increase the average life span, the majority of the senior population need care for multiple chronic conditions. Vacancies exist in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities for CNAs to provide direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The shortage of registered nurses also creates more demand for CNAs. Understaffed facilities can meet patient needs and maintain the staff-to-patient ratios when CNAs manage the direct patient care needs and leave nurses to “run the show.” The nurse aide training must meet federal and state requirements to allow graduates the privilege of taking the state certification exam to be added to the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. The Tennessee Department of Health requires training programs to provide at least 75 hours of training in the classroom and clinical site. The on-site skills labs and supervised clinical experiences help students develop the practical skills that are essential in patient care. The clinical also gives students some insight into the profession, which will help them determine the areas where they would like to practice. According to BLS.gov, the job outlook for nurse aides and orderlies is expected to rise 17 percent by 2024. The projection translates into an employment change of 267,800 new jobs between the years 2014 and 2024.

Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology

TCAT’s nurse aide program provides the basic training that adults need work in long-term care, deliver high-quality care, and encourage career development. The curriculum includes 120 hours of instruction in the classroom, skills lab, and approved health care facility. Students are expected to attend all 80-classroom hours followed by 40 hours in a nursing home facility. Classroom sessions meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm for 15 days. Students meet Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm for 5 days at the nursing facility. They learn resident rights, resident independence, role of the nursing assistant, communication and interpersonal skills, infection control, emergency, safety, personal care skills, basic nursing skills, restorative services, mental health and social needs, and care of the cognitively impaired.

Admission criteria:

  • Be 17 years or older
  • Complete a physical exam
  • Provide the results of a TB test
  • Complete a urine drug screen
  • Provide proof Hepatitis B immunity
  • A high school diploma is not required for admission to the program

Tuition costs $363. Books and supplies cost an additional $269.

Ballad Health

The Ballad Health  CNA program covers the basic requirements students will need to provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. The program meets federal and state requirements for nurse aide training, so graduates are eligible to sit the state certification exam.

Admission criteria:

  • Be a least 18 years old
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Complete the MSHA pre-admission online assessment
  • Attend a personal interview
  • Complete a criminal background check
  • Provide the results of a medical screen. A positive nicotine result will bar the applicant from admission to the program
  • Flu vaccination – for applicants entering during the months from April to October

Applications must be submitted online. Upon submission of the application, the applicant will receive instructions for completing the online assessment, which is an important part of the application process. The primary form of communication during the enrollment process is email. Students must obtain liability insurance before commencing the clinical component of the course. Admission is limited to 50 persons per session.

The curriculum covers 60 hours in the classroom and 40 hours in a supervised clinical setting. The training is offered on an evening and daytime schedule. In addition to the classroom lectures, students will complete the clinical experience at a designed Ballad Healths facility. The clinical rotations are typically 10 hours from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The training is offered free of charge. There is no contractual obligation for accepting the training. However, jobs at Ballad Health are available for all graduates.

 

 

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.