CNA Classes and General Information for Arlington, TX
Being a nurse can be a demanding but rewarding career. Knowing that you are making a difference by helping others with their medical problems can be very satisfying. Plus, nursing positions are in very high demand, so you can rest assured knowing that you have job security. One popular nursing career is the certified nurse aide (CNA).
If you are looking to become a CNA in the state of Texas, there are several paths you can take:
• Complete a CNA course and obtain a passing score on the state exam.
• Take the CNA exam and obtain a passing score. This can only be done if:
o You have not yet taken the state exam, but you have completed a nurse aide program , or
o You are in the process of completing a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program
• If you are already a CNA in another state, you can prove reciprocity or request a waiver.
A CNA program requires 75 hours of training. Of those, 51 hours are spent in the classroom, while the other 24 hours are spent performing hands-on work with patients. You will learn skills such as communication techniques, behavior, ethics, feeding, bathing positioning, bed making and taking vital signs. For the clinical portion, you will learn to care for patients in skilled nursing facilities. After you complete the program, you must take the state exam within 24 months.
The CNA test costs $83 in Texas. It consists of two parts. The first part tests your hands-on skills with patients. The test will require you to demonstrate your knowledge of five random nurse aide skills. The second part consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of nurse aide concepts.
A passing score on the CNA test is 80%. You are given three attempts to pass the test. After the third attempt, you will not be able to test again until you complete another CNA program. If you pass, you will receive your certification within six weeks.
In Texas, no educational requirements are needed to become a nurse aide. Unlike other states, no high school diploma or equivalent is required In addition, Texas does not require certifications to be renewed, whereas other states require renewal every few years. However, to retain certification, 12 continuing education credits are required each year. A nurse aide certification does not expire, but it is recommended that certified nurses contact the Texas Nurse Aide Registry every time they change employers so that they remain listed as active in the registry.
The following state-approved schools offer CNA classes and programs in the Arlington, TX area:
• ACBF Academy Career Training CNA Program
1501 South Center Street
Arlington, TX 76010
(817) 274-6991
• University of Texas at Arlington
701 South Nedderman Drive
Arlington, TX 76019
(817) 272-2011
• Alpha Career Institute Nurse Aid Program
1115 E. Pioneer Pkwy # 112
Arlington, TX 76010 (Parkway Village)
(817) 274-3733
• Liberty Training Institute Nurse Aid Program
1619 West Division
Arlington, Texas 76012
• Accurate Care Health Services CNA Training
3415 South Collins Street
Arlington, TX 76014
(817) 468-7222
• Florence Health Care Services and Training Program
2401 Avenue J Suite 240
Arlington, TX 76006
If you are looking for a career that offers many opportunities and rewards, look into becoming a CNA. You will feel good knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of others.
