In 1987, Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which contained a provision mandating that states approve official certified nursing assistant (CNA) training programs. Today, states must both approve nurse aide programs as well as maintain a registry naming all licensed Certified Nursing Assistants.
In Tennessee, the Department of Health approves numerous CNA training programs located in colleges and training facilities throughout the state.
This article explains where to find state-approved CNA TN programs, explains their educational requirements, and lists the steps required for CNA certification.
CNA Tennessee Certification Steps
Students interested in working legally as a nurse aide in Tennessee must fulfill the following educational and technical requirements:
- Complete a CNA TN training program
- Pass a state-provided competency examination (which contains written and skills components)
- Pass a criminal history background check
Those who have graduated from an accredited nursing program with either an undergraduate or graduate nursing degree can petition the Department of Health for CNA licensure. In addition, those who have been placed upon a CNA registry in another state, and who successfully practiced as a nurse aide in that state, can apply for reciprocity in the State of Tennessee.
CNA TN Program Requirements
State-approved programs in Tennessee may have insignificant variations depending upon the provider. However, all programs must have the following minimum elements:
- Be conducted by a Registered Nurse who has practiced for at least two years
- Offer 75 hours of total training
- Offer a classroom learning component of at least 16 hours
- Offer a supervised clinical component
CNA Tennessee certification programs teach a multitude of basic medical and nursing skill areas, including the following:
- Infection control
- Patients' rights
- Residents' independence
- Emergency care
- Basic nursing care
- Restorative care
In addition to the classroom component, programs must provide students with the clinical opportunity to practice learned skills with real patients in a long-term care facility. Such practice is done in the presence of a nurse educator.
CNA TN Program Listings
The Department of Health approves over 100 CNA Tennessee training programs throughout the state, most of which are located at community colleges, adult institutes, high schools, community centers, and long-term care facilities.
For a full listing of state-approved programs, reference the DOH CNA search page, which allows prospective students to search by county.
Benefits of CNA Tennessee Certification
Students who successfully complete an in-state certification program, and who are able to pass the state competency examination, are eligible to be placed on Tennessee's official CNA registry (thus allowing for legal employment in a long-term care facility).
With Tennessee's aging population, CNA jobs stand to be stable and needed for many years to come.
For information on more nursing programs, see also:
The Best Nursing Programs Online
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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