How to Become a CNA in Virginia
Choosing to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is one of a handful of professions that focuses on personal care rather than just medical care, and offers the opportunity to interact more directly with patients. Being a CNA is both challenging and rewarding and the right choice for a highly motivated individual in search of a fast paced career.
CNAs are very much sought after individuals who work with the nursing staff and provide personal and basic care to patients while under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). CNA opportunities are always increasing as healthcare options also increase. Medical candidates also become CNAs and work within the industry while pursuing other healthcare fields such as nursing, physician and medical technicians.
The state of Virginia requires all CNAs to complete an approved CNA training program and become licensed. The training program must cover 120 hours and include 60 hours of class work and 60 hours of clinical training. After completing the training program candidates are required to take the state mandated CNA exam. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE Testing Services and candidates must contact Pearson VUE to schedule the exam. The exam is a two part exam, one part being 75 multiple choice questions and the second part being the clinical task demonstration. The clinical demonstrations are performed before the chosen evaluation board. CNA candidates must pass both parts to become licensed. Candidates who pass the exam will be issued a license and those who do not pass the exam will be given another opportunity to take the exam.
Once licensed, CNAs are required to renew their license every two years. CNAs will be notified of renewal 60 days prior to license expiration and renewal is accomplished online. CNAs must document 8 hours of actual CNA employment within the 24 months prior to expiration to qualify for license renewal.
CNAs find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted care centers and home and private duty care. CNAs typically work one of three shifts, day evening and night, and either work one typical shift or different shifts on a rotating basis to include weekdays, weekends and holidays.
CNAs assist the nursing staff with patient care and the tasks include toileting, dressing, feeding, personal hygiene, transporting patients to other areas of the facility for appointments, tests and recreational events and light housekeeping. CNAs also assist physicians and nurses with procedures if necessary, gather vital signs, document patient interactions when warranted and collect non-invasive fluid specimens.
The average CNA salary in Virginia is $29,000 annually. Starting salaries are about $20,000 annually and top out at about $48,000. The salary package for CNAs often include health benefits sometimes including dental and vision care, compensated time off, short and/or long term disability, tuition reimbursement, performance bonuses and night shift differential payments.
CNA Training Classes in Virginia
- Gain Knowledge and Skills While You Earn Your Nursing Degree at Fortis!
Programs:
- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Assisting - Diploma
- And more...
- Flexible, online and on-campus program available.
- Capstone projects and clinical practicums that can help prepare students for more career opportunities.
- Students learn from instructors with experience in the health care field.
- Programs include Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration, Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness, Master of Health Care Administration, and more.
Programs:
- Medical Assisting
Centura College, with campus locations in Virginia, South Carolina and Florida, is dedicated to helping students gain the skills and attitudes necessary to succeed. Drawing from over 30 years of career school experience.
Programs:
- Associate of Occupational Science Degree in Medical Assisting-Concentration in Clinical Support
- Medical Assisting Diploma
- Associate of Occupational Science Degree in Medical Assisting-Concentration in Management
- And more...
Experience the Rewards of Caring, With ECPI’s Medical Careers Institute, you can Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in 2.5 Years or Your Associate’s Even Sooner through Our Year-Round Schedule!
What Are You Waiting For?
Programs:
- Medical Assisting - Diploma
- Medical Assisting - Associate's
- Practical Nursing - Diploma
- And more...
Miller-Motte Technical College (MMTC) has a history of helping students succeed through hands-on education and career training. Our faculty and staff work to ensure that when you've completed your program, you're truly ready to begin your career.
Programs:
- Medical Assisting - Associate of Occupational Science
The Metropolitan Institute of Health and Technology (MIHT) is dedicated to educating men and women to serve with confidence in the health and technology industry. MIHT provides career training for students to move forward in their chosen field of study, changing their lives for the better. MIHT strives to provide quality education with affordable tuition. Our staff works to determine the best financial options for students on an individualized level.
Programs:
- Clinical Medical Assisting
- Dental Assisting
Programs:
- Respiratory Therapy
Since 1977, Keiser University has provided quality student-centered, career-focused education. Keiser University Online offers degree programs online to prepare students for in-demand professions. Degrees are offered with a curriculum that is in pace with technology and workforce demand trends in business, criminal justice, health care, information technology and more. Our “one-class-at-a-time” approach allows busy students to focus on their education and balance the demands of work and family.
Why Keiser University Online?
Online Convenience, Personalized Attention
Programs:
- Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Science
- Which career path will you take – Business, Nursing, Education, Psychology? Something else? GCU offers more than 100 majors to get you started!
- Colangelo College of Business: Features more than 25 programs from the bachelor through the master's level, including several high-demand MBA programs and an accelerated accounting degree.
- College of Nursing and Health Care Professions: Rich 25-year history providing outstanding health care and nursing degree programs, including an RN to BSN program & master's in nursing degrees.
- College of Education: Whether you are looking to start or advance your career as a teacher or administrator, GCU offers bachelor’s and master’s in education degrees in key areas.
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Provides a job focused education and features a variety of programs from counseling and psychology to justice studies, history and English literature.
- Does something else interest you? GCU also offers programs in Doctoral Studies; Theology; Science, Engineering & Technology; and Fine Arts & Production. Speak with an enrollment counselor today!
Programs:
- B.S. in Nursing (Registered Nurse - R.N. to B.S.N)
Nursing@Simmons, the innovative, online nursing degree program from Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences prepares Registered Nurses for the next stage of their careers.
You need to have a Bachelor’s degree and RN license to be qualified for this school.
Programs:
- MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
- RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
|
| |||||||||