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What Does a Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) do in a Nursing Home?

Residents living at a nursing home have a variety of needs. They require the right personnel with the proper training to deliver the highest quality care. A nursing home employs a wide range of professionals that complete a myriad of different tasks each and every day. Doctors, nurses, and certified geriatric nursing assistants are on hand each and every day to insure that each resident whether short term or long term (incomplete).

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The Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistant’s Role at the Nursing Home

Though nurses and doctors are often seen as the highest up employees in this hierarchy, without a team of dedicated geriatric certified nursing assistants, patients would not get the one-on-one care they need to recover. Certified geriatric Nursing’s Assistants, or GNAs for short, complete a long list of varied tasks that differ from resident to resident. For the most part, a great deal of the time that a GNA spends with a patient is going to be attending to daily tasks that the resident cannot perform for themselves. General tasks include:

Bathing
One great example of this is bathing and oral hygiene. The GNA might help the resident bathe either in the shower or in the bed depending on their physical limitations, which helps to both raise spirits and keep residents healthy.

Grooming 
GNAs might also help brush teeth, brush hair, dress the residents and more to help keep them clean and happy. A GNA might also be called on to help feed a resident if they are not able to feed themselves. This is a vital role that helps insure patients get the nutrients they need and that they still feel that they are cared for.

Toileting
On top of hygiene, GNAs may also be called on to help residents use the toilet and to clean up afterwards. This is a vital role as well as some nursing home residents do not have the strength that it takes to get up and go to the toilet on their own. GNAs are also vital when it comes to things like cleaning beds and changing sheets to again make sure that the resident is comfortable and clean at all times. GNAs will not be required to administer medication as it is the duty of the nurse to do so but a GNA may also help the nurse watch for possible side effects of medications to help keep residents healthy.

Keeping Company
Overall a GNA is going to be called on to help residents with the daily tasks that they can no longer do on their own. In a nursing home where there is a large staff, GNAs may also be asked to sit with residents to keep them company or to monitor them for any changes in their health. It is crucial that GNAs be kind, compassionate, and patient as those that are living in nursing homes can generally do very little for themselves and helping someone with every task may become trivial or at times become trying.

GNAs are the backbone that helps keep nursing homes running smoothly and that helps residents remain healthy and happy despite the odds.

Top Knowledge Healthcare Students Get Top Scores on 2015 GNA Certification Exam

Recently, the Maryland Board of Nursing released their list of 2015 GNA certification exam pass rates in Maryland, which includes all private schools and community colleges in Baltimore. Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute appeared toward the top of the list with one of the best pass rates.

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How We Got There

Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute’s high standards push students to discover their full potential as nursing assistants. We work hard to provide the most comprehensive education possible in this industry, and this achievement reflects those efforts.

The list includes pass rates from the beginning to end of 2015, with rates ranging from 100% at the top to 0% at the bottom. Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute is among the top rankings, with a combined average of 94.45% pass rate for the written and skills portions of the GNA certification exam. This pass rate displays how our school has effectively prepared students for careers as nursing assistants, with knowledgeable staff who have been able to provide students with the education they need.

With continued top-notch education and training, we hope we can raise that pass rate to 100% in the years to come.

Getting a CNA/GNA Certification at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute

At Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, we are dedicated to providing CNA and GNA students with the best possible education to prepare them for flourishing careers as nursing assistants. As our pass rate shows, we have managed to remain successful in our efforts, giving students all of the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Considering the fact that the Maryland Board of Nursing recognizes us for our ability to help nursing assistant students excel, we hope that this encourages future students continue to look to us for their education. The MBON has developed specific regulations for nursing assistant training programs and exams, which TKHCI exceeds.

When students take the GNA certification exam at our school, they should have the resources they need to perform well, and our pass rate shows that we have provided our students with all of the knowledge and training to help them get started.

Get Some of the Best CNA/GNA and GNA Training in Maryland

If you would like to be among the passing students who take the GNA certification exam at TKHCI, enroll with us today and we’ll help you begin a long and fruitful career as a certified nursing assistant.

How to Find a Flexible CNA Training Program

Cna Training Program

If you’re considering enrolling in a CNA training program, one place you may get stuck on is finding one that is accommodating to your schedule. Since CNA certification requirements are labor intensive and include many hours of work, including clinical training, laboratory training, and theory training, it can be difficult to find one that fits into your schedule. However, some schools, such as Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, are aware of the scheduling difficulties that can come along with wanting to enroll in a CNA training program, and as a result, have started offering flexible options for classwork.

What is Involved in the CNA and GNA Training Program?

No matter where you attend courses for CNA/GNA training, you’re sure to find some of the same structure. This is because for any CNA training program, there are three different sections of the coursework that are required for graduation. The first is the theory component. The theory portion of this training program is 60 hours of work, to be completed in a classroom, and covers necessary knowledge for basic patient care services.

The second portion of the course is the laboratory section, and is comprised of 35 hours worth of training. The requirements for the laboratory portion were previously just 16 hours, but they have increased to ensure students’ confidence and competence. Finally, the third portion is the clinical training, which is comprised of a 40-hour externship.

How to Plan for Enrolling and Participating With a Busy Schedule

When you’ve got previous obligations or responsibilities, as most people do, it can be difficult to schedule a CNA training program into your life. Thankfully, TKHCI has you covered. With three different options for scheduling to choose from, you’ll have a much easier time planning to fit it into your schedule.

  • Daytime Program: If you work nights or weekends, or ordinarily have daytime hours free, this program is perfect for you. These courses are six weeks long, including five weeks of classroom work and one week of clinical training. Class hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., and clinical hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Evening Program: Perfect for people with busy daytimes, this program takes place over the course of eight weeks instead of six. In this setting, the classroom portion is six weeks and the clinical is two weeks. Class hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., while clinical hours are Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
  • Weekend Program: Finally, an even more flexible option for people who are busy during the week. The weekend CNA /GNA program is an 11-week long course, including 8.5 weeks of classroom training and 2.5 weeks of clinical training. Class hours are Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., while clinical hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

With these available options, it should be easier to find something that fits into your schedule with Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute. With our training programs, you’ll be able to choose from daytime, weekend, or evening courses, making it easier to manage the scheduling.

To find out more about the different training programs offered, contact TKHCI today.

What You Can Do With A Nursing Assistant Certification

When you make the decision to start working toward your CNA—nursing assistant certification, one of the attractions may be that there are many different career paths you can take with it.

Being a CNA allows for a lot of flexibility when it comes to the population you want to work with, but one thing is a constant across the board—the job is one that requires patience, compassion and a lot of dedication.

That being said, when you’ve decided this is your calling, it’s time to start doing some research about where you’ll let the job take you. Finding out more about the options available to CNAs is the first step.

High Volume Facilities

One of the options you’ll have is to work at a facility that has a variety of patients.

Places like hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living residences and hospices employ CNAs to take care of daily tasks such as helping patients and residents eat, dress, bathe, use the toilet, transfer, position/reposition and measure vital signs.

These services are very helpful and important for people who cannot do these tasks on their own, and if you’re looking for a job where you will always be busy and in contact with a high volume of residents, this is a good choice for you.

On the other side of the coin, if you feel that such a high demand could overwhelm you, you may want to look to smaller, less busy options.

Smaller, Private Practices

Another option for CNA career paths includes places like day care centers, schools, and doctor’s offices.

Your CNA training will prepare you for the roles you’ll fill in these establishments, and you’ll learn about how to care for adults, children and babies alike, so you’ll be ready to handle whatever is required of you.

These positions will still be demanding, however you may be assigned fewer patients at a time and thus this may be a bit better if you are new to the profession as it will help you gain experience and confidence in your skills.

Private Duty

Healthcare industry jobs are on the rise, and with more and more people wanting personalized care; one-on-one private duty cases for CNAs are becoming more common.

If you choose this type of work, your days will be spent providing care in the form of personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, feeding, preparing meals, positioning clients, and light housework.

This type of care is typically better suited for people who may have a bit of experience as a CNA, but new CNA graduates are always welcomed.

To learn more about the career and job options available for CNAs, contact us at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute today!