If becoming a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) is in your future, the very first step to take is to enroll in STNA classes. Demand is at an all time high for nursing assistants across the country!
Bls.gov latest statistics show that there is a 21% increase in demand over the next decade! The time is now to start a career as a State Tested Nursing Assistant!
What are the Requirements for STNA Classes?
The requirements for STNA training are typically easy and standard. STNAs are an Allied Health entry-level position, so there are just a few requirements to fulfill. Typically the requirements are be of legal working age, have clean immunization records, pass a criminal background check and have a H.S. diploma or GED. Although, there are some STNA programs might have placement or admission tests. Just check with your perspective schools for more exact details.
What to Look For in STNA Programs?
It is absolutely essential to attend an accredited training program. Accreditation comes from the state’s nursing board or from a national association or governing body like the (CCNE) Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. If you also have interest in growing a career in nursing or healthcare, attending an accredited school is a must.
Find out what you can about the reputation of the STNA program. Plus, take a look at any reviews that may be posted online by any former grads or students. Getting the certification exam success rate among graduates would be helpful information.
Where Can You Find STNA Classes?
There are many options for STNA training. You can do portions done online or attend courses at colleges or vocational schools. Below we cover where you can take your courses and what each one of them may offer you that the other does not.
But, the variances will only be in the delivery and style of the training. The curriculum is standardized and will be consistent from accredited school to accredited school.
At Community Colleges
One of the standard places to attend STNA classes will at a local community college. Below we cover the positives and negatives:
Positives
- State Tested Nursing Assistant programs will have the proper accreditation
- Higher grad rates and certification exam success rates
- There are local community colleges across the nation
- Lower tuition fees
Negatives
- Higher student-to-teacher ratio
- Getting in to classes can be harder
- The length of your training is longer in most cases
At Vocational Schools
Career colleges or vocational training schools are very popular institutions for taking STNA classes. Below we list the positives and negatives:
Positives
- They offer accelerated STNA programs
- Have online portions to their programs in many cases
- Good % students passing the STNA certification examination
Negatives
- Accelerated training can be hard for some
- Quality of training can very from program to program (Accreditation is Key!)
- Just make sure it is an accredited program
Online Classes
Online courses have blown up in popularity, especially in healthcare careers like STNA courses. Some positives of online education are:
Positives
- Extremely flexible course schedule
- Training at your own pace and speed
- Much cheaper than other programs
Negatives
- Have to coordinate your lab time for clinical training after online portion
- Much less face to face interaction with trainer
- CHECK ACCREDITATION!!!!!!!
How Long are STNA Training Programs?
Accelerated programs can be done in 4-8 weeks depending on the program. Standard programs can be as long as 6 months in some cases. Online courses are typically 4-6 weeks.
What is Covered in Training?
As mentioned above, you can trust the curriculum from an accredited training program. If you do not attend an accredited school, you leave yourself open to large gaps in education and training. Which can be devastating when you are trying to find your first nursing aide job and you cannot due to your training. Or you cannot pass the certification exam due to the lack of training too. Just make sure your training program is accredited. We cannot overstate that.
There will be two portions to your training. The classroom or educational section and the clinical or laboratory section. The educational portion can be done online. But the clinical portion must be done hands-on. The job is hands-on, so the work must be practiced hands-on too.
In the classroom portion, Anatomy, infection control, ethics and medical terminology will be taught. Basic patient point of care and how to perform standard (CPR) cardiopulmonary resuscitation . This portion lays the groundwork for the clinical portion.
- Keep patient area sanitary and clean
- Bath patients
- Document vital information on patients
- Positioning patients for procedures and for their comfort
- Moving patients
- Taking and recording patient vital signs
- Feeding and hydrating patients
- Preventing bed sores for long term care patients
- Communicate with patient, staff and family
- Provide safety for patients
- Identifying and reporting symptoms and changes to patient’s condition
You Have all the Tools for Success in STNA Classes!
With the information gathered from above and our STNA resources below, you have everything you need to make a choice on State Tested Nursing Assistant Classes today! Click below for classes near you and online!