The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program is a 100-clock hours hybrid course designed to provide students with the essential skills and knowledge required to work effectively in long-term care settings, including nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and home care environments. This comprehensive course covers both the practical and theoretical aspects of the CNA role, focusing on resident care, communication, safety, infection control, and specialized medical needs. Students will engage in a structured curriculum that includes classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and clinical placement to gain real-world experience. Upon completion, students will be well-prepared to provide compassionate and competent care to individuals in long-term care and home care settings.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Upon successful completion of the Nursing Assistant program, students will be able to:
Week 1: Introduction to Long-Term Care and Core CNA Skills
• The Long-Term Care Facility: Types of long-term care settings (nursing homes, rehab
facilities).
• The Caregivers: Role of CNAs and other healthcare professionals.
• The CNA in Long-Term Care: Responsibilities and scope of practice.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication with residents,
families, and teams.
• The Language of Healthcare: Basic medical terminology and abbreviations.
• Observation, Documentation, & Reporting: Accurate reporting of residents’ conditions
and changes.
• Residents’ Rights: Ensuring dignity, privacy, and autonomy for residents.
• Safety & Emergencies: Preventing accidents, handling falls, and emergency response
protocols.
• Infection Control: Basic principles of infection prevention, including hand hygiene and
PPE use.
Week 2: Resident Care and Personal Hygiene
• The Long-Term Care Resident: Understanding residents’ physical, emotional, and
social needs.
• Psychosocial Aspects of Aging: Emotional and psychological changes in aging, and the
importance of social engagement.
• Alternative & Culturally Based Health Behaviors: Understanding cultural differences
in healthcare.
• Resident Environment: Maintaining a safe, clean, and comfortable living space for
residents.
• Personal Hygiene: Assisting residents with bathing, grooming, and dressing.
• Nutritional Needs: Helping residents with feeding and ensuring proper nutrition.
• Elimination Needs: Assisting with toileting, incontinence care, and managing bowel and
urinary health.Week 3: Monitoring, Treatment, and Specialized Care
• Measuring & Recording Data: Taking and documenting vital signs (temperature, pulse,
blood pressure).
• Admission, Transfer, & Discharge: Processes for admitting, transferring, and
discharging residents.
• Warm & Cold Compresses: Application techniques for pain relief and improving
circulation.
• Restorative Care: Helping residents regain independence through mobility exercises and
physical therapy.
• Caring for Mobility: Assisting with range-of-motion exercises and walking aids.
• Cardiovascular Disorders: Understanding and assisting with care for heart disease,
hypertension, etc.
Week 4: Specialized Care for Health Conditions
• Respiratory Disorders: Care for residents with COPD, asthma, and pneumonia.
• Endocrine Disorders: Managing diabetes, thyroid conditions, and other hormonal
imbalances.
• Reproductive Health: Addressing reproductive system issues in elderly residents.
• Musculoskeletal Disorders: Caring for arthritis, fractures, and musculoskeletal pain.
• Nervous System: Understanding neurological conditions such as strokes and Parkinson’s
disease.
• Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Specialized care for residents with memory disorders.
• Developmental Disabilities: Caring for residents with intellectual and developmental
disabilities.
• End-of-Life Care: Providing compassionate care for dying residents.
• Subacute Care: Differences between acute, subacute, and long-term care.
Week 5: Home Care, Employment, and Clinical Placement
• Home Care: Basics of providing care in a home setting, including safety and personal
care.• Seeking Employment: Job search strategies, resume writing, and interview preparation.
• Clinical Placement: Hands-on experience working under the supervision of a licensed
professional to refine practical skills in a real-world setting.
Week 1: Introduction to Long-Term Care and CNA Basics
Total Hours: 18
• Classroom:
o Overview of long-term care settings and CNA roles
o Communication skills and infection control basics
o Understanding residents’ rights and safety protocols
• Practice:
o Basic infection control, PPE, and documentation
o Safety procedures in patient care
Week 2: Resident Care and Personal Hygiene
Total Hours: 18
• Classroom:
o Psychosocial needs of elderly residents
o Nutrition, hydration, and hygiene care
o Toileting and incontinence management
• Practice:
o Feeding and toileting techniques
o Positioning patients for comfort and safety techniques
Week 3: Monitoring and Specialized Care
Total Hours: 18
• Classroom:
o Measuring vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure)
o Specialized care for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditionso Restorative care techniques for mobility
• Practice:
o Taking and documenting vital signs
o Assisting with range-of-motion exercises and mobility support
Week 4: Specialized Care and End-of-Life Care
Total Hours: 18
• Classroom:
o Caring for residents with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, respiratory disorders
o End-of-life care principles and providing comfort
• Practice:
o Providing comfort care for dying patients
o Managing physical and emotional needs at end of life
Week 5: Job Search, Home Care, and Clinical Placement
Total Hours: 18
• Classroom:
o Job search skills (resumes, interview prep)
o Basics of home care, safety, and mobility assistance
o Preparing for clinical placements
• Practice:
o Mock interviews and job search techniques
o Clinical placement in order to achieve 40 hours of hands-on experience
Total for CNA: 90 Hours
• Classroom: 50 hours
• Hands-On Practice: 40 hours
