Becoming a certified nurse aide (CNA) in Texas can be a quick path to a thriving career in healthcare. Certified nurse aides provide the much-needed quality-of-life care to patients while performing duties that enable a health facility to run smoothly. They also are responsible for communicating crucial patient information to doctors and nurses.
Becoming a certified nurse aide in Texas has various requirements. Here are the details on gaining a CNA certification in Texas.
Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in Texas
CNAs in Texas are regulated by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services jurisdiction. CNAs must undergo training and evaluation programs through a local Texas college, vocational school, or online.
You have the flexibility and convenience of taking some classes online to earn your Texas CNA credentials. You also get local support as you complete your clinical requirements in a local facility. Some courses are available on campus, where you’ll have opportunities to network with other Nurse Aide students. Further, Nurse Aide programs approved by the state provide a comprehensive curriculum to prepare students for certification.
To maintain an active status as a CNA in Texas, you must work in the field and ensure you renew your certification when it’s due.
Steps to Take in Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide in Texas
Becoming a CNA is more than taking a few courses and getting a certificate. It entails a crucial process that qualifies you to work in nursing homes and other care facilities that require the skills you gain. It’s essential to know these requirements ahead of time depending on where you want to work to plan accordingly. Here are the steps you must take.
1. Enroll in a Nurse Aide Approved Training and Competency Evaluation Program
Students undertaking a nurse aide course in Texas don’t necessarily require a GED or high school diploma but must be free from criminal convictions. They also must have proof of drug screening, the necessary vaccinations, and CPR training to be accepted in a CNA program. It is required to enroll in a state-approved program to get high-quality education to enable you to move into the workforce upon passing the competency exam.
Training and Examination Eligibility: Nurse aides must complete state-approved programs in a Texas trade school or state-approved facility. The only path to become certified is by completing a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) approved in Texas.
They entail a minimum of 40 hours of clinical skills training and 60 hours of in-class learning, though some training programs are longer. The training provider will require a background check of the student as part of eligibility. Use this database provided by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services for nurse aide programs in your region.
Depending on a program you completed in another state, you may be approved to take the examination. The program must have been at least 100 hours. Military personnel interested in becoming nurse aides can get approval for the test based on:
- Being currently enrolled in and completing introductory coursework
- LPN or RN program completion
Individuals aren’t eligible if they ever had their Texas nursing license revoked.
2. Attend Your Certified Nurse Aide Classes and Acquire Clinical Training
Texas-approved nurse aide programs have 60 clock hours of class sessions and 40 hours of hands-on training. The 60 hours don’t involve direct patient care. The curriculum outlines 16 introductory hours of training before coming into contact with patients.
Learning revolves around communication, safety and emergency procedures, infection control, respecting residents’ rights, and promoting independence. When you complete these requirements, you will be eligible to sit for the nurse aide competency exam.
3. Sit for and Pass the Competency Exam
You are eligible to sit for the competency exam within 24 months after completing a Texas-approved training course. The exam agency will check and confirm your eligibility, allowing you to register for the test. Once you pay the required fees and you can schedule the test. You must also pass written and oral tests within 42 months of your NA training program graduation. The Texas State Department of Health and Human Services allows three attempts to pass, after which you’ll have to retake the training program.
Examination Requirements: Nurse aide programs in Texas require you to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program. There are two separate tests, one measuring knowledge and the other testing practical skills.
The knowledge test is a written multiple-choice test or can be oral in English and Spanish. You must perform specified nurse aide duties in the practical skills test. The assessment will also entail hand hygiene and other learned skills. You must achieve a satisfactory score in at least four out of the five skill tests.
4. Gain Valuable Experience in Healthcare
After passing the competency exam, it is time to move on to the next step. Submit your applications to the facilities or other places you’d want to work as a nurse aide. The Texas Nurse Aide Registry is an excellent place to start checking. Ensure you take the jobs likely to give you hands-on experience as you work with patients. Doing so will boost your resume when you want to move to a better position in the future.
5. Maintain Current Certification
The Texas Human Health and Services department requires you to renew your certification every two years. There is a 24-hour service education session during the renewal. Check a list of programs approved for that requirement here. The flexibility of the 24-hour program is that you can complete 12 hours of education in a different facility not certified or licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing, HHS, or the State Health Service Department of Texas.
Are You Ready to Become a Certified Nurse Aide in Texas?
Certified nurse aides have a crucial role to play in healthcare. To become a nurse aide eligible to work in a nursing home or health facility, you must complete a state-approved training program. There is also a competency evaluation program to undertake to qualify for placement in the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.
Southern Careers Institute is your home for more information about this process. We provide a platform for you to develop the critical skills necessary in healthcare. Our nurse aide program empowers you for a career with nursing and personal care skills, therapeutic services, and clinical experience. Contact us to request more information.
This article was published on: 07/26/22 6:25 AM
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