CNA Classes: Red Cross, Training Programs

The American Red Cross has a long-lasting history that started in 1881 in Washington D.C.

Nowadays, it is one of the most known and influential humanitarian organizations in the country.

The American Red Cross not only supports those in need in the USA but collaborates with the Red Cross organizations all over the world.

This organization offers first aid, blood donations, disaster relief as well as health and safety training.

If you want to learn more about this program, keep reading this article.

Overview of the Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program

For many years, the Red Cross provides training programs for those who are interested in nursing career options.

The provided nursing assistant program was designed with the support of various experts.

Numerous caregivers working in the industry, as well as educators and nurses, take part in this program development.

During this program, you are going to learn not only some professional skills as well as communication skills and the ability to be understanding and supportive.

This course aims to provide you with the required knowledge and skills so you can guarantee your patients some high-quality care.

Also, you can work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and even at your patients’ homes.

During your training, you’ll be able to learn about six main principles of care – dignity, independence, communication, safety, and infection control.

The program, offered by the American Red Cross, lasts for 4-8 weeks and is divided into three parts – classroom lectures that include role-playing, audiovisual training, and hands-on training.

All classrooms are equipped with all required equipment so they resemble real hospital rooms.

They have various medical equipment such as Hoyer lifts, wheelchairs, scales, and even hospital beds.

It is a perfect environment where you can train all the necessary skills.

If you want to apply for this program, you need to meet some requirements including:

• Attend an information session at your local Red Cross;
• Provide a High School diploma or GED, or complete a reading and maths test (TABE);
• Pass a criminal background check;
• Complete a Red Cross physical form and take a TB test.

Keep in mind that some states may have additional specific requirements.

Syllabus

The Red Cross Nursing Assistant program aims to prepare well-qualified CNAs that can perform their duties professionally and provide some high-quality service.

After completing this program, you can start working in nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, hospices, rehabilitation centers, as well as home healthcare.

In other words, the program contains a number of disciplines that can help you learn basic medical skills, using medical equipment, personal care procedures, teamwork aspects, and so on.

The program also contains such disciplines as:

• The Art of Caregiving;
• Promoting Safety;
• Special Care Instructions;
• Making the move from a student to an employee;

The program contains two main parts that are the classroom part and practice.

The classroom part contains lectures, practical demonstrations, and some practice.

This part aims to prepare you for the second part which is a hands-on experience in a real setting like a clinic or any other healthcare facility.

In other words, you’ll be able to learn how to be a real CNA.

Upon completion of this course, students will be expected to successfully perform the following procedures:

• Handwashing;
• First aid for choking;
• Handling a plastic trash bag using an electronic thermometer;
• Putting on and taking off protective clothing;
• Counting and recording a person’s respiration;
• Counting and recording a person’s pulse;
• Moving a person around in bed;
• Taking and recording a person’s pressure;
• Transferring from bed to chair;
• Positioning a person in supine, fowler’s, and lateral positions;
• Using a mechanical lift to transfer a person from bed to chair;
• Repositioning a person in a chair;
• Providing denture care;
• Brushing and flossing teeth;
• Helping a person with showering and shampooing;
• Giving a person a complete bed bath and shampoo;
• Helping a man shave with an electric and safety razor;
• Brushing and combing a person’s hair;
• Helping a person dress/undress;
• Cleaning a person’s fingernails and toenails;
• Helping a person eat;
• Making an occupied/unoccupied bed;
• Helping a person use the bathroom/commode/bedpan/urinal;
• Measuring height and weight;
• Emptying a urinary drainage bag;
• Providing care for a person with a catheter;
• Collecting urine/stool/sputum specimens;
• Applying an external urinary catheter to a male;
• Giving a person a tap water enema;
• Testing urine for sugar and acetone;
• Collecting a urine specimen from an Infant;
• Helping a person with passive range of motion exercises;
• Applying elastic stockings;
• Helping a person walk;
• Diapering a child;
• Bathing a newborn;
• Sterilizing glass baby bottles ;
• Providing post mortem care;
• Changing an ostomy appliance;
• Applying compresses and assisting with soaks;

Red Cross Training Programs Advantages

This program:

• is offered by a world-recognized organization;
• is a choice of almost 100 locations across the U.S.;
• has instructors that are licensed nurses with up to date professional experience;
• has small class sizes so students can get enough training.

Nurse Assistant Program Locations and Contact Info

Depending on the location, programs vary in requirements and tuition fees.

If you want to get info about training programs in the area, you need to contact your local Red Cross organization.

If there is no Red Cross in your area, you need to contact the national office.

In the list below, you can find info about all regional Red Cross offices including their websites and phone numbers:

• The nationwide NAT 1-800-627-7000
• Maryland 410-624-2060
• Alabama (334) 260-3996
• California (707) 577-7600
• Connecticut 203-787-6722
• Florida: Sarasota 813-348-4820, St. Petersburg (727) 898-3111, Jacksonville 904-358-8091, Rockledge (321) 890-1002
• Georgia 404-876-3302
• Hawaii 808-734-2101
• Kentucky 502-589-4450 or 502-561-3771
• Massachusetts (617) 274-5200
• Michigan 810-232-1401
• Minnesota 612-871-7676
• North Carolina 704-376-1661
• New Hampshire 603-225-6697
• Ohio 216-431-3010
• Pennsylvania (215) 299-4000
• Tennessee 865-584-2999
• Virginia 703-584-8400
• Vermont 802-660-9130
• Wisconsin 920-231-3590

Also, you can use an online form to get info about your local Red Cross.

After completing your training, you can apply for volunteering programs offered by the American Red Cross.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to be a CNA?

You could become a Certified Nursing Assistant in 12 weeks, or even less.

The courses generally include 120 hours of instruction spread over a certain number of weeks.

There are programs that get all that into six weeks.

In a six-week course, four weeks would be in the classroom and two in a clinical setting.

You would then have to pass a state exam.

Can I take CNA classes online?

There are several CNA courses you may take online.

All the classroom work can be done online, but there will be some clinical work that you will have to attend in person.

Many community colleges have these programs and offer them online as well as in person.

After completing the clinical portion, you may take the state exam to get certified.

How much do CNAs make an hour?

CNAs make between $10 and $18 per hour.

The national median is $14.28, and that was 50 cents an hour increase over the previous year.

The entry-level pay is low, but you can get regular raises depending on how long you work as a CNA.

People making the high end $18 per hour have some years of experience.

What is the difference between medical assistant and CNA?

The main difference between a medical assistant and a CNA is what they do.

A CNA, or nurse’s assistant, works on the clinical side and has a more physical job.

They are more involved in helping the patient with a wide variety of tasks.

Medical assistants work more on the medical side and not as directly with patients.

How much does a CNA course cost?

A CNA course averages around $1,500 for the class and materials.

Costs vary depending on where you live and where you take your class.

An online course is less expensive than a course you take in a traditional classroom.

Often junior colleges are less expensive than larger universities and offer the same program.

What are the disadvantages of being a CNA?

One of the hardest things about being a CNA is the physical work involved.

You may have to help patients move around and do various things for them.

The pay is not outstanding, but there are plenty of jobs available.

Some aspects may not be fun, like cleaning up after patients, and there may be unusual working hours as well.