If you find yourself at the crossroads in your career and find it hard to decide about the field you want to join in health care, then here is a career option for you that you can make. However, if you are someone who has already made the decision and wants to be a CNA, if you want to know all about the Red Cross CNA Programs then you have ended up in the right place.
Before we go further into the details about the programs, let’s understand what exactly is a CNA. In order to become a Certified Nurse Assistant, you will first have to understand the job and its in and out.
A CNA’s job is an important one, it can turn into a very satisfying career choice. A Nurse Assistant works under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). Every State has its own set of practices. The Red Cross CNA Programs will enable you to quickly earn more and have a fulfilling career. You will be able to care for others and get rewarded for doing it. This can be a job that will help you make a difference in the society. So, let’s understand the programs better.
What is Red Cross CNA Program?
The Programs helps you secure a job as a Nurse Assistant. As a CNA you will be one of the most important parts of the Healthcare system today. You will be able to learn all about the job and attain skills relevant to the field. This program will prepare you by providing you with the knowledge and experience that you will need to become a successful Nurse assistant.
After completing this program, you will be well equipped with the skills needed to provide care for the residents who are in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The American Red Cross has been preparing students for a CNA’s job for more than 30 years now. The program has been designed with resources from various industry representatives from around the United States.
Requirements to Become a Red Cross CNA
The requirements to become a Red Cross CNA can vary from one state to another in the United States. The main requirements are listed below-
- One has to have attended any local orientation session
- One has to pass a reading test
- One must have passed a Criminal background check by Red Cross before registering
- One must complete the Red Cross, TB test
- GED or High School degree/diploma should be verified
The student will be evaluated after he/she has gone through an array of tests. The State Competency Test is the evaluation of the skills and abilities attained by the individual. The Pearson View Test includes a written and an oral examination. These tests make sure that the student is prepared with the skills needed to safely do the job. Once the student has successfully completed the Red Cross CNA Programs, he/she will then qualify for the State Competency Test to become a CNA.
Red Cross CNA Program Course/Curriculum
This program’s course will help the students learn and pick up skills that will enable them to work for the residents in the hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare institutions. The course includes-
- AED/FA/CPR
- How to control infection
- How to take the vital signs of a person?
- A range of exercises
- How to be an adaptable employee
- Teamwork and communication
- Skills and techniques
- Textbook lectures and instructions
- Instructions on the art of Caregiving
- Special care instructions
- Instructions on promoting safety
The Red Cross CNA program is divided into two parts, that are described below-
Part 1 Theory – This part takes place in the classroom. In this part, the student will learn to perform CPR and will learn various aspects of Caregiving through lectures.
Part 2 Clinical – Once the first part of the program is complete, the second part (Clinical) begins. In this part, the students get clinical training, where they directly work with the patients in the healthcare facilities. The students are supervised by a registered nurse who has been approved by the Nurse Assistant Training Instructor. The student will work alongside various other nurses and healthcare professionals.
Red Cross CNA Training Cost
In order to enroll in the 4-week training program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the student has to pay a fee of $1,395.00. The cost of taking up the Nurse Assistant Competency Certification Exam will be included in the fee.
The training cost varies from one state to another. The fee in some states includes the costs of equipment needed in the classes like Gait belt, blood pressure kit which includes a stethoscope and cuff and a fanny pack. However, in some states, the costs of equipment will not be included in the fees. The breakup of the fees is given below-
Red Cross CNA Training Cost
| Particulars | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registration Fees | $250 |
| Classes (Half & Full Day) | $1,145 |
| Total | $1,395 |
| Adult CPR Training and Textbooks are included in the Fees | |
| State Examination Fees for the Skills Test and Written Test | $90 |
| State Examination Fees for the Skills Test and Oral Test | $105 |
| If you fail the exam, fees for a retest of skills test | $50 |
| If you fail the exam, fees for a retest of written test | $35 |
| Equipments | |
| Gait Belt | $24 |
| Stethoscope and Cuff | $39 |
| Fanny Pack | $14 |
| Registration Fees (Non Refundable) | $100 |
| Half Day classes (40 hours – 26 CEUs) | $350 |
Red Cross CNA Classes ONLINE
At Red Cross, you will not receive online CNA classes; as it is difficult to understand the intricacies of the nursing industry online. One has to get hands-on experience when it comes to nursing which can only be attained in a classroom set up.
However, you will be able to find various online CNA courses that provide similar education, but it is always better to take classes in a classroom set up when it comes to nursing as one will have to learn skills that will help them save lives. Distance learning or online classes can be beneficial for some students but if you can avail classes in a college then go for it.
Since, when CNA classes are conducted online, students will not be able to learn the skills of checking and monitoring the vitals of the patient or learn any other exercise that needs to be performed by a CNA. Therefore, one needs to attend the classes provided by the Red Cross CNA programs in real time to learn all about nursing.
Red Cross Nursing Job Opportunity
The American Red Cross offers nursing jobs to people from all walks of life. Once you have completed the training program, you can apply for nursing jobs here and help Red Cross save more lives. There are more than 330,000 volunteers and 23,000 employees in the American Red Cross.
A vast number of men and women work together to make the world a better place. The numbers are increasing with each passing day. Joining this vast network will let you save lives and care for people through the different services provided by the American Red Cross. The various services you can be a part of are listed below-
- Disaster Services
- Services for the military
- Biomedical
- International services
- Health and safety services
- University programs
- Business and administrative services
Red Cross CNA Salary and Benefits
The Red Cross CNA earnings can be very fruitful and hefty if you are certified by the Red Cross CNA Programs. The average wage for a Nurse Assistant is $11.68 on an hourly basis. The amount of salary an individual receives depends on various factors like the geographical location, education, and experience.
American Red Cross is known to pay its employees an average of $54,478 in a year. The income can range from an average of $35,049 to $93,583 in a year. One’s designation and job role also influence the salary amount they receive.
Red Cross provides benefits like
- Comprehensive medical plans
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Additional insurance plans which include vision and dental plans
- Disability benefit which is up to 60% of your monthly pay
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Commuter benefits
- Service recognition and a lot more.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the highest annual mean wage providing states of US are listed below –
Highest Annual Salary Paying States
| STATE | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $37,950 |
| New York | $35,080 |
| North Dakota | $32,880 |
| California | $33,560 |
| Connecticut | $32,970 |
| Colorado | $32,040 |
Join CNA Classes For a Better Future
So, what are you waiting for? Join the program and take your career to the next level. This is a job opportunity that will make your life a lot more exciting as you will be able to help others on a daily basis. Thousands of CNAs are employed every year in the United States.
You can enroll in the program and become a Nurse Assistant in no time. This way you will be able to care for others and get paid for the same. The scope for Nurse Assistants is increasing with each passing day as the medical field is continuously growing. Hence, enrolling in this program is a wise decision that you will be making. Enroll and make a difference by providing care for others.
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