There is an excitingly fast growing position in the medical field in Virginia, and this position is that of a certified nurse aide. People that want to be a part of this fast track career can do so by going to a Virginia Board of Nursing training school and successfully passing the National Nursing Aide Assessment Program test. This career is booming with opportunities now and for the foreseeable future due to the overwhelming increases in Virginia’s elderly population. Wages are good, and the personal rewards are invaluable after earning your CNA certification in Virginia.

Courses that you will encounter during the CNA training will include 120 hours of teachings in the area of nursing assistant skills. You really should take care to enroll only in a state approved or accredited program, as not all schools are the same. If an institution does not meet the course minimum, then you will not qualify to sit for the state exam. Keep in mind, that some students will qualify for free CNA training, so peek at our article to see if you are eligible for these benefits.

As part of the classes, there will be an amount of time focused on working in a real life setting while caring for residents. However, before gearing up to enroll, you need to be aware of the prerequisites that are necessary and required by most school. Candidates must be at least 18, high school or GED certified, and in good health. You will be asked to undergo a full physical, including a drug screen. Additionally, be ready to provide criminal history records or submit to a check.

During the nurse aide school courses, the student will receive teachings on giving life saving efforts like CPR, being ready in a situation that arises without notice, being proficient in the medical terminology and caring for residents’ daily needs. You will learn skills in phlebotomy, infection control, how to document and check vital signs. Check out our articles concerning numerous  nurse aide skills practice exams and life saving techniques to see if being a nurse aide is for you.

The successful students will then go on and take the Assessment Program test by Pearson Vue. After applying, the students will receive the admission ticket explaining a date and time that they should be present for testing. Pearson Vue is the issuing test administrator and requires a $96 fee for testing. Testing is based on 70 questions and Five performance based active duties focused towards your school teachings. Your scores are calculated on site and passing efficiency will result in your application eligibility with the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.

CNA Salary in Virginia

The Virginia Workforce Connection reports an average yearly income of $22,600 for the actively practicing CNA in Virginia. Additional reports say that the CNA job availability is going to open by more than 29 percent in the next few years, so now is a great time to get started in this dynamic field.