Training for Certified Nursing Assistant in Vermont

A typical state approved CNA program lasts for 75 hours of course work of which minimum 16 hours are to be spent in the clinical skills practice session. Remaining duration is allotted for the classroom learning session. In-class session covers all the technical aspects of nursing including medical terminologies, basic human body mechanism, human anatomy and physiology, infection control, basic nutrition, patients’ rights, ethics of nursing, emergency services, etc. This session is conducted in the classrooms of the respective facility by the highly qualified course instructors. The topics covered in clinical hands-on practice are basic patient care, feeding and medication, repositioning, age-specific care, bathing and grooming of patients, room preparation, simple dressing preparation, taking vitals of the patients and reporting to the doctors, health chart preparation, etc.

The clinical session is taken in an actual living health care setting wherein the students get to perform and practice all the essential manual skills under the valuable guidance and supervision of the qualified nursing staff of the respective setting. Here they get used to the actual clinical environment, real patients; and also learn to deal with the patients’ emotional requirements, tips for taking vital signs and symptoms, interpersonal communication, precise written communication, etc. They also learn how to accurately measure patients’ BP, pulse rate and respiratory rate. At times, the senior registered nurses (RNs) and doctors also involve them in handling and operation of the advanced medical equipment. All such add-on skills are very beneficial for the prospective CNAs.

After the students accomplish the training program of total 75 hours, they are eligible for taking the state approved CNA exam. The exam is collectively administered by the state of Vermont and D & S Diversified Technologies. It is taken in 2 parts just like the course work is divided into 2 parts. The first paper is a written test which is based upon the theory and asks the students to solve 72 multiple choice questions. The students must score 75% or more in this test for passing. The second one is a clinical skills competency test which asks the students to perform any 5 randomly selected manual skills from a list of tasks. They are constantly under strict supervision of the instructors as well as the nursing examiners.

The students are evaluated on the basis of their competency shown in technical knowledge as well as the clinical protocols. If one shows good competency level, it leads to pass in the exam and get certified as a nursing assistant. Once certified by the state nursing board, the students are eligible to apply for the licensure. After getting licensed, they get listed on the nurse aide registry of the state of Vermont along with their updated professional working status. This registry keeps a database of all the nursing professionals across the state which serves as a directory for all the employers to search for the best prospective employees.

The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation announces a grants program for the worthy students who are not able to afford the cost of classes for certified nursing assistant. It is meant for the high quality programs and thus, offers good quality education too. The students have to apply for the grants program so as to get paid for the tuitions and other relevant expenses. This grant can also be obtained through a training program in the American Red Cross. For those who are taking classes through schools or colleges, there are scholarships and funding programs or even financial package aid programs.

In short, approved CNA training classes in Vermont prepare the students for challenging the state certified nurse aide examination and become the entry level position holders in the nursing industry or the entire health care profession. There are options of attending classes either paid or for free.