CNA Training in New York City

The most populous city in the U.S., New York City is home to more than 8.5 million people. It’s actually the largest metro area in the world by landmass and the world’s most populated megacity with over 22 million people in its combined statistical area. This means it is full of opportunity for people wishing to become certified nursing assistants. Almost 14% of the population is 65 years of age or older. That translates into over 1 million people in that demographic that are in need of care at home or in one of the dozens of nursing homes. CNAs are also needed in hospitals. New York City has 62 hospitals, which produces even more opportunity for people in the profession. Because the nursing demands in the city are so high, there are a number of approved CNA schools that help people land on this career path quickly.

To become a CNA in New York City, you must meet the requirements set by the New York State Department of Health. One such requirement is to enroll in a training program that is approved by the state so you can pass the certification exam before actively practicing.

An approved training program uses a state-approved curriculum that prepares students for the two-part written and skills evaluation. This preparation teaches students everything they need to know about how to deliver the best patient care.

However, there are two types of CNA programs to choose from in New York. One is a secondary nurse aide training program, which takes a total of 325 hours. A health occupations program and core curriculum consume 216 of those hours. The other 108 hours cover nurse assisting and 30 of those hours are supervised in a clinical environment.

The adult nurse aide training program is 120 hours. This type of CNA typically works in nursing homes. Classroom construction consumes 90 of the 120 hours and the remaining 30 focuses on training in a clinical environment.

The typical curriculum covers assisting with bladder and bowel continence, mobility needs, sleep and rest needs, observation and reporting, patient safety, meeting nutritional needs, psychological needs of the patient, equipment care, personal care, infection control, patient rights, end-of-life care, care for the cognitively impaired, and caring for patients with special needs.

The usual enrollment requirements are to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED, ability to pass a background check, have a negative TB skin test, pass a physical, have TABE minimum scores in math and reading, and be up-to-date on immunizations.

Once you have your CNA certification, it’s time to find a job. The aging population’s demand for care, as well as the need for CNAs in the more than 60 hospitals reduce the challenge in finding meaningful employment as a CNA. Depending on where you work, a CNA can make between $27,000 and $45,000 per year. This means there is potential to beat the national average of just over $31,000.

The typical job description of a CNA in NYC is to perform assigned patient care duties under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. These duties include personal care, assisting patients with daily living tasks, range of motion exercises, meals, transporting patients to and from appointments, accompanying patients at their diagnostic and treatment appointments, and documenting all activities. A patient in an assisted living facility might require care that’s different from someone being cared for at home.

Of course, you have to be able to navigate the NYC traffic to get to and from work. Mass transit in the city runs 24-hours a day. Approximately one-third of the population relies on public transportation to get around. The largest rapid transit system in the city and even the world is the New York City Subway. There are 472 stations with most of them operating around the clock.

Another option is the commuter rail network, which has 20 rail lines and 250 stations. Additionally, there’s the public bus fleet that runs around the clock. The intercity bus terminal transports 200,000 people daily. You can also choose to take a cab, some of which are hybrid or use clean diesel, or opt for a ride-share service. If you prefer to get there without the help of public transit, you can drive your own vehicle if you aren’t within walking or biking distance. Be mindful of the parking because that in itself can give ample reason to use public transit.

Before worrying about where you’re going to work and how you’re going to get there, finding a state-approved training program is first on the list. To make this easy, the City College of New York is one such program.

The City College of New York was established in 1847 and has offered classes in many disciplines. The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked the school #1 out of 369 public colleges in the U.S. The school is also in the top 12% of universities in the world according to the Center for World University Rankings.

The CNA program includes 100 hours of classroom instruction and 30 hours of intern experience over 23 sessions that are seven hours in length on Saturdays. It covers patient care and basic life support, as well as anatomy and physiology. The course has a 98% pass rate. Tuition is reasonable at less than $1,500. However, the costs associated with your physical, uniform, textbooks, and CPR certification are not included. Fortunately, payment plans are available to make becoming a CNA a more attainable endeavor. When it’s time for the clinical rotation, it is important to do it on time or the student is responsible for the fee associated with a newly scheduled rotation.

If you want to avoid paying tuition, it’s possible to find a training program that allows you to work in exchange for tuition. This is typically a possibility in nursing homes or hospice centers. However, the Family Support Center’s Adult Education Center in Brooklyn is a free option. Books, uniforms, and other supplies are provided and the class lasts seven months. However, you must pass the certification exam or be responsible for the cost of the class.

Other options include local grants and scholarships. You can check with the New York City Department of Education for grants and scholarship opportunities. The Workforce 1 Grant program helps people whose incomes are under $56,000 per year. If you want to apply for scholarships, the New York State Nursing Education gives information on such opportunities as the Edna A. Lauterbach Scholarship Fund. When you want to move forward in your life, these funding opportunities show that there is a way.