Why and How to Take Train the Trainer Course CNA?
CNA’s or Certified Nursing Aides/Assistants occupy an important position in the healthcare industry. They not only assist nurses but are an integral part of continuity and advocacy of care. Mostly, it is the CNA who keeps track of changes in a patient and reports these to Registered Nurses (RN’s) or doctors.
For training CNA’s, one needs to be an RN as well as take up train the trainer course CNA. One must also have 2 years’ experience as a nursing practitioner.
Growth in demand
As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNAs’ job opportunities rose by nearly 20% in 2020. Around 3 lakh jobs were created.
The high demand for CNAs is triggering rising demand for CNA instructors. There is a need for enthusiastic and competent CNA instructors so as to ensure that students are entering the world of care for patients with adequate knowledge, qualification, and skills.
Many use the CNA qualification as a steppingstone to pursue regular nursing studies to become an RN. Thus, CNA instructors provide the CNA students with tools to accomplish success in the arena of healthcare.
Instructors must have enough knowledge and expertise to prepare students to handle the demands of their job.
Functions
CNA instructors are registered nurses who are responsible for teaching students of CNA programs. Their primary duties involve preparation of lessons, evaluation of students, and maintenance of records. Typical places of employment include private employers, institutes for career training, and community colleges.
CNA instructors devote much of their time working in academic settings, dividing their time between classrooms, clinics for practical teaching, and the school office. They focus mainly on teaching and also does some routine administration work. Some instructors are employed full-time by post-secondary institutions, while others conduct part-time teaching along with nursing duties in other settings.
Career needs
For entering this career, a CNA instructor must have a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Nursing. It is vital to be qualified as a Registered Nurse, but licensure stipulations may vary state by state.
Also, most employers insist on 2 years of experience as an RN, out of which experience of one year must be in a long-term healthcare facility like an old age home. Key skills desired of CNA instructors include critical thinking, patience, empathetic attitude, and good communications skills.
Steps in the career
Step 1: Attend Nursing School
All states stipulate CNA instructors to have certification as an RN. This can be accomplished by a 2-year Associate Degree program (Nursing) or a 4-year Bachelor program in Nursing. To gain this, there are the following tips:
- Take up science-based courses in high school
- Aspiring nurses must take up courses in Physiology, Anatomy, and Chemistry.
- Finish a term of clinical experience
- Nursing students must exploit the best from clinical training.
Step 2: Gain Licensure
All US states demand that nurses have graduated from nursing school with accreditation and must pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination) for practicing. Once this has been passed, nurses may make use of RN designation. Other license needs vary state by state.
Step 3: Train the Trainer
Many states stipulate that potential instructors pass the state’s Instructor Training Course approved by the state. This course is termed as ‘Train the Trainer’ course and is provided by nursing facilities, universities, community colleges, and technical schools.
This course helps prepare RN’s for serving as instructors. The Department of Health or Board of Nursing of the state will indicate details of training centers.
After pursuing all the above steps and finishing train the trainer course CNA, one can seek employment in CNA schools as a professional CNA instructor.
