Certified Nursing Assistant

Careers as Certified Nursing Assistants are in demand and pay well. CNA careers provide entry-level opportunities to gain valuable experience, while helping people who need care and support. This is a great job for someone who enjoys helping others and working in a hospital or long-term care setting.

You may be a good fit for this career if you enjoy helping people and want to work in a challenging but rewarding field. Certified Nursing Assistants help patients and residents of care facilities with basic life tasks, such as feeding and bathing. In addition to providing regular care, you may also monitor their physical condition, safe medication administration, dressing needs, safety precautions and vital signs. 

Course Description

CNA covers the knowledge and skills needed for the safe physical care of patients in long-term care facilities. Follows curriculum approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing in preparation for the Oregon Nursing Assistant Exam. Prerequisites: placement into IRW 115 or WR 115; proof of Measles immunization; Prerequisite/Concurrent: current TB test and passing of a criminal background check.

Course Outcomes

  1. Apply OSHA and client safety standards and use proper infection control methods in client care situations.
  2. Apply basic physiological and psychological care to clients.
  3. Follow local, state and federal regulations for client care in various settings.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and client rights when providing client care.
  5. Provide appropriate interventions in a client or care setting emergency.
  6. Be prepared to take the Oregon Nursing Assistant Exam for certification.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Role play, skills testing, exams
  • Skills checklist
  • BLS/AED American Heart Healthcare Certification completion

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Themes, Concepts, Issues

  • Ethics and Rights
  • Communication
  • Basic Needs
  • Infection Control and Blood borne Pathogens
  • Alzheimer’s/Dementia
  • Body Mechanics
  • Safety
  • Nutrition and Fluid Balance
  • Patient Comfort and Care
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  • Vital Signs
  • Body Systems
  • Long-term Care
  • Death and Dying
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Special Care
  • Facility Survey

Skills 

  • Communication
  • Infection Control and Standard Precautions
  • Safety/Emergency Procedures
  • Nutrition and Hydration
  • Elimination
  • Personal Care
  • Restorative Care
  • Measure and Record

Read more here.