Posts Tagged ‘healthcare job market’

CNA vs. STNA – What’s the Difference?

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

 

 

Many people mistakenly believe that a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) are the same.

 
They are not.

 

In Ohio, CNA means that you are “certified,” meaning that you took the STNA class only and you’ve finished it. You have completed all of the practical learning as far as standardized classes are concerned and you have completed a minimum number of hours in a clinical setting in a long-term care facility, nursing home, or hospice setting.
You have demonstrated a desire to learn about the profession. But you have not passed the state exam. The CNA is a temporary designation which allows you to work in a STNA position before you have passed the state test.

 

Per Ohio law, once you have your certificate of completion of STNA training, you have to decide between two choices:

 

1. If you want to work and earn money right away, you have only 4 months from the time of finishing the course (received certificate of completing the class becoming a CNA) to the time you MUST take the test to become a State Tested Nursing Assistant. If you do not take the test within 4 months of completing the course, you MUST retake the entire STNA course over again in order to be eligible to take the STNA exam.

 

Note: If you fail the test the first time you get 2 more chances (total of 3) to pass the state exam. That process can extend a little more than 4 months, but not much.

 

2. The second option is that you don’t start working and earning money as a nursing assistant. Then you have two years in which to take the STNA exam. If you complete the course but do not take the test within two years, then you have to start all over again.

 

What some folks get confused is that they think that they can just not for 4 months and then find work as a CNA and then take the exam. Nope! You can’t do that. After 4 months, you lose your CAN status and cannot work. You have to wait to be employed until you take the exam and pass it. Then you can be employed as an STNA.

 

Also, to maintain your STNA certification you must work at least 8 hours every 2 years in a LONG TERM Care Facility. The law is not stringent at the time of this writing, however it’s changed once before and those individuals not working in an LTCF had to stop working as an STNA, retake the course and retake the state test because they had not complied with the continuing education requirements.

 

So it’s best to just work those 8 hours every 2 years, obtain proof from the human resources department that you did this, and keep it in your files just in case the state registry questions your certification in the future.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in STNA Classes | 1 Comment »

Getting Fit for the STNA

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

 

Being a State-Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) is often a tough, physically-demanding job. At our STNA training classes in Ohio, we emphasize to our students that they need to take the time to get physically fit. Many working STNAs must assist patients get in and out of bed, must roll patients over, and may have to lift them out of a wheelchair onto a toilet seat and back. This type of work can take a toll on your back, your legs, and your arms.

 

Here are the top three strength-training exercises as reported by survey of personal trainers from across the country. Do these exercises regularly and you will be better prepared for the physical demands of being a STNA.

 

Most personal trainers select squats as the number one strengthening exercise for professions like STNAs. Squats work your butt, thighs, hamstrings, and calves all at the same time. To do a squat correctly, stand with feet hip-width apart, toes facing straight ahead or turned slightly outward. Slowly bend your knees, keeping your spine straight and abs pulled in tight. Do not let your knees bend beyond your toes, then slowly straighten your legs. Do this up-and-down motion 10 to 15 times, slowly, taking a deep breath each time you go down and exhaling as you stand, every other day.

 

The second exercise personal trainers recommend, and the one many people dread, is the push-up. But push-ups, like squats, are very effective. In one compact move, you can work all the muscles in your chest, shoulders, triceps, back and abs. There are lots of variations, but here’s how to do the basic push-up. Position yourself face down on the floor, balancing on your toes/knees and hands. Your hands should be wider than shoulders, body in a straight line from head to toe. Don’t sag in the middle and don’t stick your butt up in the air. Bend your arms and slowly lower your body toward the floor, stopping when your elbows are at 90 degrees. Exhale and push back up. You should do as many as you can until your muscles are fatigued every other day.

 

Another great exercise for women is arm curls. Ideally, you should have a three to five-pound weight. Hold the weight in your hand and hold your arm out away from your body and bend slightly at the hips. Slowly bend your elbow, tightening the bicep muscle as tight as you can. Control the weight as you straighten your elbow. Do this exercise first with one arm, then the other. Then put the weight back into your first hand and reach your arm out behind you. Now bend your elbow and push back, tightening the triceps on the back of your arms as tight as you can. Do as many repeats as you can, then switch to the other arm. You should try to do some arm curls every day.

 

Even with a busy schedule of STNA classes, clinicals, studying, and home life, you should try to make time to incorporate these five exercises two to three times a week will help strengthen your muscles and bones to make you better prepared for your career as a STNA.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Health, STNA Classes | No Comments »

8 Questions to Ask Before Becoming a STNA

Monday, April 12th, 2010

 

It takes time and effort to become a State-Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA). It is a rewarding career for some, but it’s not right for everyone. Here are eight questions you should ask yourself before enrolling in our STNA classes in Ohio.

 

1) Do you enjoy health, science and math classes? As a STNA, you will be expected to understand how the human body works, how different medications may interact, and how to gauge and monitor various measurements. It will be very beneficial to you if you enjoy these areas.

 

2) Do you like to help people, even when they are sick? A STNA is first and foremost a helper. Your role would be to help the other nurses and doctors stay informed about the patient’s health conditions. You would be helping the patient and their family with their everyday needs. In many instances, the patient will be unable to do even simple tasks by themselves and will need your help.

 

3) Can you follow directions, but are you confident enough to take some actions on your own? You will need to follow the directions of the doctors and nurses, but when you have enough experience in caring for your patients, you will need to be confident enough to take care of the patient’s needs without close supervision. The doctors and nurses are too busy to tell you everything little thing that needs to be done. You need to have the common sense to recognize what needs to be done and then the confidence to do it without being told.

 

4) Do you communicate well? The STNA is usually the position with the most contact with the patient and is often the go-between to make sure the patient’s questions and concerns are being heard by the doctor and nurses and then make sure the patient and his or her family hears accurate information from the doctors and nurses. A STNA must be able to accurately convey information, without excess emotion or hyperbole to everyone else in the medical care chain.

 

5) Are you patient and thick-skinned? As a STNA on the frontline of patient care, you will have to deal with patients and families who are in pain and ill. As a result, they may say or do mean things. They will complain a lot, they will find fault in everything you do. You have to be able to listen to their criticism, understand that it’s not YOU, but their circumstances, and still maintain a positive, cheerful attitude.

 

6) Are you a good listener? Many times, a patient just needs someone they can talk to. You have to show your patients that you care and hear their concerns. Sometimes, you will have to interpret what they are feeling because their pain cannot allow them to express themselves adequately.

 

7) Do you like working with your hands and doing physical work? The job of a STNA is physically demanding. You will be on your feet a lot, and you will be helping patients button their shirts, brush their teeth and brush their hair. You will not be sitting in an office all day staring at a computer screen.

 

8) Do like a routine where you know what you are going to do every day? Then being a STNA may not be right for you. Every day will be a different challenge. Those individuals who like variety and can adapt to whatever the day brings are the most successful in this type of environment.

 

If you have answered these questions and still want to explore becoming a STNA, we encourage you to check out our STNA training in Ohio.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Patient care, STNA duties | 2 Comments »

How to Re-Enter the Healthcare Job Market

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Maybe you’ve been out of the job search for a while – raising your family, in another line of work, or were employed for a long time – and you may be intimidated by a job search. It’s common for STNA’s to re-enter the job market after spending time away doing other things and it’s also possible to make a smooth transition back into the healthcare workforce if you are willing to update your skills and adjust your attitude.



Entertain your options. Don’t assume you should return to the same type of work you did before. For example, hospital professionals today face a heavier workload and more acutely ill patients than in years past. You could be much happier in a different environment.



Look Into Your Options. You’ll have to research to redefine your career goal. The library and internet are extremely valuable tools, plus you’ll also want network through professional organizations, set up informational interviews, and attend job fairs.



Stay in the Game. As you’re researching career options, you should also investigate health industry trends. Take note of the latest buzzwords and acronyms that may come up during interviews.



Refresh Your SkillsMake sure that your clinical skills are up to snuff. At a minimum, you must fulfill the necessary educational requirements for professional re-licensure. You may also want to take a clinical refresher course.



Computers are Your Friends. Computer literacy is almost a prerequisite in most health professions. At the very least, you should know the basic functions of a computer and how to use a keyboard.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »