Education Institute

CNAs Provide Daily Compassionate Care

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work under the supervision of nurses to deliver high quality, hands-on-care to patients in nursing homes and other long-term care settings.

CNAs are often the closest caregivers to residents and are the ones who frequently recognize changes in their health immediately. They keep continuous contact with residents and are an integral part in the quality of care residents receive. CNAs are some of the most valuable staff in a nursing home environment.

CNA Test Prep Course

For this reason, Pines of Sarasota began a CNA Test Prep Course. At Pines, we want to teach exceptional nursing assistant practices and equip students by giving them the tools needed to be successful.

The CNA Test Prep class trains individuals to become CNAs in the long-term care setting. This Course was developed and is being implemented under the guidance of the Florida Health Care Association. It is designed to provide a focused, facility-based interactive experience for prospective certified nursing assistants. This program is unique in that it addresses technical as well as essential work and elder care skills critical to success as a CNA.

Course Acceptance

The CNA Test Prep Course acceptance committee utilizes a point system for acceptance into the program at Pines of Sarasota. The committee looks at the application, essay, shadowing experience, and recommendations from professional and personal references.

This CNA Test Prep Course is 80-100 hours in length, taught by a Registered Nurse, who has been through the FHCA Train the Trainer Session, in LTC center in which students may eventually be working. This 21-day training program consists of classroom instruction consisting of Theory with hands on Clinical Skills and Competency evaluation.

Trainees will learn basic care-giving Skills. The program training is free to the candidate. The Pines of Sarasota facility will pay for the CNA training program and may offer employment after completion of the training.

After the trainee has passed the prep course the trainee will move into general/departmental orientation for 1-4 weeks mentoring with senior CNA coaches in the facility as paid Resident Attendant Interns. Once they have passed the Competency exam with the State of Florida they will then move to a 1-2 weeks buddy system with a senior CNA Coach following actual certification.

The Resident Attendant Interns (RAI) are not counted in staffing levels and are only able to give “indirect patient care.” While awaiting results of the CNA exam, they may perform simulated clinical on fellow students, family and friends but not residents. The Resident Attendant Intern will work in close proximity to the residents for whom they will ultimately provide care. Thus, learning their individual personalities and how best to relate to them, their individual needs and how best to deliver care. The RAI will continue observing “best practices” in watching senior CNAs give patient care. This program also allows the trainee to work a job-description that involves caring for the resident in many ways, without actually “laying hands on them.” The program requires the RAIs to learn the facility policies and procedures and attend regularly scheduled In-Services. RAIs will also get to know fellow staff members and learn the value of teamwork.

Graduates are NOT able to work as nursing assistants until they receive their preliminary pass on the CNA exam. After such a pass they can work patient assignments giving “hands on” care for up to 4 months while waiting to be certified and placed on the CNA registry. They can be counted into the staffing ratio after they receive a preliminary pass on the exam, s.400.23 (3) (a), .S. Graduates are eligible to take the exam as “E4 OTHER NURSING TRAINING: An individual has completed a non-state-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program that is federally compliant and the training was in a nursing home facility”. Graduates would take the exam in either the facility in which they were trained or could also be tested in a nearby testing site.

The Curriculum and skills are based on OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) and the requirements are based on the State of Florida.

Pines of Sarasota’s curriculum is fundamental and geared towards LTC. A 2-hour mandatory Welcome/Orientation Day and a Certificate Ceremony for the Trainee at the end of the program are provided.

Florida Health Care Association & The Board of Nursing

This Facility-Based CNA Test Prep Course was developed and is being implemented under the guidance of the Florida Health Care Association and the Board of Nursing. It is designed to provide a focused, facility-based interactive experience for prospective certified nursing assistants. This program is unique in that it addresses technical as well as essential work and elder care skills critical to success as a CNA. The CNA Test Prep course is OBRA compliant.

CDC & OSHA Standards and Guidelines

CDC (Center for Disease Control) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards and guidelines are used but may change as new information becomes available. New standards and guidelines may also be issued from federal and local state agencies. The CNA trainee is responsible for following the most current standards and guidelines as they relate to the work of the nursing assistant.

CNA Test Prep Course CNA Training

∗ FHCA CNA Test Prep Course.
∗ 80 hours in length taught by an RN.
∗ 80 hours of classroom instruction consisting of Theory and Clinical Skills and Competency evaluation (falls over 5 week period).
∗ 1-4 weeks mentoring with senior CNA’s in the facility (as Resident Attendants).
∗ 1-2 weeks buddy system with senior CNA following actual certification.
∗ Licensed under the Department of Employment.
∗ Training is FREE to students. Facility covers the cost.

FHCA Rules and Regulations CNA Test Prep Course

∗ Graduates are NOT able to work as nursing assistants.
∗ Graduates are UNABLE to give “hands on” care until they receive a preliminary pass on the CNA exam.
∗ Graduates are NOT counted in staffing ratios until after they receive a preliminary pass on the exam.
∗ Graduates take the exam as an E3 or 4 OTHER NURSING TRAINING- INDIVIDUAL HAS COMPLETED A NON-STATE-APPROVED Nursing Assistant Training Program that is federally compliant and the training was in a nursing home facility.