CNA Programs & Classes in AZ
If you live in Arizona and are considering a start in the medical profession, you may want to think about pursuing CNA programs in AZ to get certified as a nursing assistant. Certified nursing assistants support nurses in hospitals and nursing homes in Phoenix, Tucson, & Mesa, and across the state of Arizona. CNA’s have direct contact with patients, and help with the day to day care of live-in patients in a health care setting. If you are a patient and compassionate person this may be a career that you would want to look into. The basic requirements for CNA Certification AZ licensure is that you have completed your GED or graduate high school; you then must complete a minimum of 120 hours of CNA classes in AZ that includes both in classroom work and clinical hours in a hospital or health care facility.
Steps to Complete CNA Classes in Arizona
Step 1: Qualify for CNA Programs in AZ
It is important that you know what qualifications will be required in order to get approved for CNA programs in AZ and to get through all the steps toward CNA certification. One of the things that will be required is a clean criminal background check. It is not worth going through the training CNA programs in Arizona if you know you will not be able to pass a background check. You also must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or received a GED equivalent. Once you know that you have met all these requirements you can apply for a state approved Arizona CNA program in order to take your course work.
Step 2: Complete State Approved CNA Classes in Phoenix AZ
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, and it’s largest city. The Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, Salt River Valley or Metro Phoenix, is home to the most CNA jobs in AZ. With a strong metropolitan medical system, the greater Phoenix area has over 9,840 CNA jobs, as estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, via 2014 survey data. Thus, CNA classes in Phoenix AZ are a great option for students wishing to work in the state’s largest medical field.
The state requires that 80 hours of your CNA classes in AZ are completed in a physical classroom with instruction by a state approved CNA program. These classroom hours will equip you with the head knowledge needed to complete your clinical hours, which are to follow. Some of the items that will be covered in this CNA training AZ curriculum include items such as medical terminology, patient rights, patient care, anatomy, physiology and psychology. All of these topics will be covered in a very basic way. As a CNA in Arizona you will be required to know enough to practice in the capacity of an aide under the supervision of licensed nurses at all times.
Step 3: Complete Clinical CNA Program Hours in an Arizona Medical Setting
In the state of Arizona a minimum of 40 externship hours are required. This means that as part of your CNA classes in AZ you will need to complete 40 hours of practice as a CNA under the watch of a licensed RN. This could take place in a Phoenix hospital, a Tucson nursing home, or another approved medical environment in Mesa. These are the most critical hours of your CNA certification AZ training, as you are getting hands on experience in a medical setting. It is important that you soak up as much learning as possible during these hours. Many states require far less clinical hours, but the benefit of being licensed in Arizona is that you will have clocked many hours of experience before actually being employed as a CNA.
Step 4: Passing the Arizona CNA License Examination
Just as with any state, Arizona requires that you pass the two part CNA license examination before receiving CNA Certification AZ registry status. One part will test your head knowledge in a multiple choice test. The other part will test your practical knowledge in the clinical exam. You will be required to perform required skills of a CNA in front of an examiner to pass the practical exam. Once you pass portion one and two of the exam and complete your training and externship you may apply for your Arizona CNA license. There are practice exams available online for your use in studying for the state examination.
Step 5: Fingerprinting and Background Check
At this point the state of Arizona will require you to be background checked and fingerprinted. This is primarily for the safety of the patients you will be in contact with for your job as a CNA. As soon as you have your fingerprints registered and have passed your background check, you may apply for your certification.
Step 6: Application for CNA Licensure
Once all of the previous steps are complete you may apply for your license with the Arizona State Nursing Board. You must provide proof that you have successfully completed each of the precious steps, and provide a fee for your certification processing. Don’t forget that once you have been approved you will need to keep your contact information up to date with the Arizona State Nursing Board in order that they may contact you when your Arizona CNA certification is up for renewal.
Hopefully this has provided you with the information you needed regarding the steps to sucessfully completing CNA classes in Arizona and receiving your CNA certification AZ license. If you already have CNA certification that is valid, and you appear on a CNA registry in another state, you may apply for CNA certification in Arizona without having to complete all of your training over again. In order to find out what you need to do to avoid taking redundant CNA programs in AZ, simply contact the Arizona State Board of Nursing for more information.
Arizona State Board of Nursing
4747 North 7th Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85014-3655
(602) 771-7800 – Main Number
(602) 771-7888 – Main Fax
Office Hours: 8:00AM-5:00PM Mon-Fri