Intro to Medical Assisting: How to Get Your Nursing Assistant Certificate

If you want to enter the healthcare field as a certified nursing assistant (often known as a CNA), one of the first steps you need to take is proper training. Enroll in a Certified Nurse’s Assistant program at a local community college, through an organization such as the Red Cross, take a course online or enroll at a local healthcare facility.

Many programs will demand time in a healthcare facility to obtain hands-on training before the nursing assistant is deemed qualified to take the certification examination. Even online study programs for the Certified Nursing Assistant’s certification will require hands-on study at a healthcare facility near you. Usually the school will act as a liaison between students and the facility so that the work-study program is accomplished smoothly.

The important thing to remember when you decide to pursue a career as a nursing assistant is that every state maintains its own qualifications and requirements for certification. Before you begin your studies, learn what you need to accomplish first so you don’t waste your time or money on courses that aren’t required. On the other hand, this early research will help you define your education so you do receive the courses you need to succeed. You can find videos about CNA training that are sponsored by various healthcare and educational institutions, such as this video introduction to the Certified Nursing Assistant program at San Diego Continuing Education.

In addition to a high school diploma or GED, you’ll need to complete a six- to twelve-week CNA training program. Once you have met the instruction hours training requirements and have graduated from your nursing assistant program, you usually will have a period of 120 days to take the final exam. This exam will include sections for both clinical and written examples of problem-handling skills. Use web sites such as the CNA Exam Study Guide to learn more about the exam so you’re prepared. Once you pass this final exam, you will receive your Nursing Assistant Certification.

Top Online Medical Assisting Programs

It is important to note that there is no such thing as an online nurse's assistant degree, but the following schools offer online degees in medical assisting or similarly related fields, programs which may be suitable for individuals pursuing careers as nursing assistants.

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Kaplan University
AAS in Medical Assisting
AAS in Health IT
AAS in Medical Office Mgmt
AAS in Medical Transcription
 Kaplan University — AAS Degree in Medical Assisting. The Kaplan University School of Nursing offers courses in a wide range of topics, including informatics, management, and community nursing care. Related Kaplan programs: AAS in health information technology, AAS in medical office management, AAS in medical transcription.
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Keiser University
AS in Medical Assisting
AS in Health Services
 Keiser University — AS Degree in Medical Assisting. Those who want to care medically for others, but are not drawn to being nurses or doctors should consider the medical assisting program at Keiser University. Although this is not specifically a nurse assistant or CNA program, it is in a similar field. Related Keiser programs: AS in health services
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University of Phoenix
AA in Health Care
AA in Medical Records
 University of Phoenix — AA Degree in Health Care. This program from the University of Phoenix may help a student eventually become a certified nursing assistant (though this is not the degree's primary intended purpose), who would then be qualified to become an integral part of a healthcare administration team in any number of healthcare settings. Related Phoenix programs: AA in Medical Records.
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Bryant & Stratton College
AAS in Medical Assisting
 Bryant & Stratton College — AAS in Medical Administrative Assisting. Bryant & Stratton's associate's degree in medical administrative assisting readies students for future careers in medical office administration, nurse assisting, medical assisting, and more.
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Herzing University
AS in Medical Assisting
AS in Health Information Mgmt
AS in Medical Billing & Coding
AS in Medical Office Admin
 Herzing University — AS in Medical Assisting. Students of this program are trained in how to assist nurses and doctors in examination rooms and to perform routine lab tests, handle medical records, and file insurance forms. Related Herzing programs: AS in health information management, AS in medical coding and billing, AS in medical office administration.
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