Certified Nursing Assistant Training in Delaware

In almost any healthcare setting, nursing staff make up a huge percentage of the facility’s healthcare providers. Nursing professionals at all levels specialize in patient communication, direct patient care, and collaboration with other care providers.

If you decide to become a CNA in Delaware, you can start building a solid foundation of nursing skills that may help you seek employment in many types of healthcare facilities after graduation.

What is a CNA?

A nursing assistant is an important part of the care providing team in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. They receive basic training in personal care, feeding, medication, and vital signs, ensuring that patients have all of their needs met throughout the day and night. Because the care provided by CNAs relates to patients’ most basic needs, CNAs are often required to be available 24 hours per day to keep patients comfortable.

How Can I Become a Nurse Aide (CNA) in Delaware?

As an aspiring nursing aide, you should be passionate about caring for people, improving the state of healthcare, and advancing the field of nursing in general.

Ready to take the first step toward becoming a nurse’s assistant?

Reach out to CNA programs in Delaware to get more information.

What Kind of CNA Training Do I Need in Delaware?

If you’ve been comparing different options in healthcare careers, you may be pleased to find out that CNAs have one of the shortest training requirements in this industry. In Delaware, the vast majority of CNA schools lead to graduation in just six to eight weeks.

If you attend full-time, you may complete your education even more quickly. Learn more about the requirements set out by the Delaware Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection by getting in touch with CNA schools today.

Getting Into a Certified Nursing Assistant Program in Delaware

Before you can start working as a nurse’s aide, you have to find a local CNA program, get accepted, and complete your training. There are many options for CNA classes in Delaware, including those offered at nursing homes, technical colleges, community colleges, and hospitals.

Tuition rates are set by each individual program. However, admissions requirements are similar across most schools. You need a clear criminal background. You may get accepted with minor misdemeanors, but most felonies disqualify you. A high school diploma is recommended, but CNA programs do not have stringent grade requirements.

Admissions Requirements for CNA Programs

16 years of age or older (parental approval required for minors)
High school diploma or GED recommended but not mandatory
Current immunizations
Physical report from a physician
Negative drug screen
Negative TB skin test
Criminal background check
Fingerprint report

Application Documents for Certified Nurse Assistant DE Programs

Application
Application fee
Approval for criminal background check
Physical report
Immunization records
Proof of diploma or GED

CNA Training in Delaware

You may ask “What is a CNA?” now, but by the time you finish your 150 hours of required training, you should know exactly what a nurse assistant does, how much training they have, and what skills they bring to the table in healthcare facilities.

Accredited Delaware schools must offer at least 150 hours of education, 75 of which must come from clinical rotations in a local nursing home, hospital, or clinic.

CNA Classes in Delaware

Medical terminology
Anatomy and physiology
Infection control and sanitation
Nutrition
Safety of residents
Emergency care
Personal care protocols
Patients rights and independence
Laws and ethics
Vital signs
Ambulating and transferring
Feeding and hydrating
Oral care
Hair care
Skin care
Toileting

If you’re looking for information on online CNA classes, you may need to resign yourself to the idea of a blended program. There are no CNA programs that allow you to complete all of your training online, since you need at least 75 clinical hours to graduate. An entirely online program would not permit you to become licensed.

That doesn’t mean that conventional programs are your only option. In fact, you may look into blended programs. In this degree, you do your theory training online and meet clinical requirements at a local facility.

CNA Certification as a Prerequisite for Nursing School in Delaware

There are two main reasons to pursue nurse assistant training. If you’re looking for a career, you may look into becoming licensed so you can start working as a nurse’s aide and earning a competitive salary.

If you are a nursing student, you may attend a CNA program because you are required to as part of your nursing program. The skills gained in a nursing aide program are invaluable to aspiring and working nurses. You may gain important skills that help you communicate with clients, manage your time during healthcare shifts, and follow evidence-based care standards.

Paying for a CNA Program in Delaware

What financial aid options are available to CNA students? If you’re attending nursing school, you may qualify for a wide variety of grants, scholarships, and student loans. Financial aid options are slightly more limited for CNA students, since job-based training may not qualify for certain types of aid. Despite this, it’s important to make time to apply for financial aid and explore your options.

Avoiding student debt can help your income go further after graduation. Get started by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which looks for financial aid options through the U.S. Department of Education. If you’re exploring multiple nursing school options, you can also check out the FAFSA’s college scorecard to find out which program may give you the most bang for your buck. Once you’ve exhausted your federal financial aid options, take the search one step further by using the resources available at Peterson’s. You can keep a list of scholarships you want to apply for to avoid missing deadlines and streamline the application process.

Quite a few local employers in Delaware offer scholarships to aspiring nursing professionals. In exchange for a scholarship from an employer, you may be required to work for them for a set amount of time after graduation. One local employer with numerous nursing scholarships is Christiana Care Health System, one of the largest healthcare systems in Delaware.

Look for other scholarships at area hospitals, specialty clinics, and nursing homes. In particular, nursing homes often reimburse new CNAs for their training expenses or offset some of their tuition costs. Some even offer free training for CNAs.

Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Delaware

Education is the most demanding part of becoming a nursing assistant, so once you have your certificate, you should be well on the way to earning your license. Keep reading to learn more about potential work settings, licensing requirements in Delaware, and the compensation available to nursing aides.

CNA Requirements in Delaware

Once you have finished your training, you may become a licensed nurse’s aide by applying for CNA certification through the Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection. Once your application is accepted, you are added to the Delaware Nurse Aide Registry.

You must pass a written test and a skills test. The written test is multiple choice, so you may move through it fairly quickly. The skills test involves doing a set of CNA tasks. You must follow each step of each task as outlined in your training to avoid failing the exam. In Delaware, the testing fee is $108.

From there, you must renew your license every two years. Complete 24 hours of continuing education units during each renewal cycle. You also need to maintain your license with work experience; the state of Delaware requires no fewer than 64 hours of experience every two years.

Where are the Best CNA Jobs in Delaware?

By comparing different work environments and employers, you may find out where you fit in as a certified nursing assistant. As is the case with almost any healthcare career, CNA jobs involve erratic hours, so you shouldn’t anticipate a standard weekday nine-to-five job. In fact, you may find that most new CNA positions require consistent weekend, overnight, and holiday shifts.

At most nursing homes and hospitals, weekend shifts are assigned on a rotating basis to ensure that everyone gets enough free time. Many new certified nurse aide graduates start working at nursing homes, since these facilities are often very accepting of new graduates.

Common Work Settings for Nurse Aides

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
Group homes for adults with disabilities
Day programs for adults with disabilities
Rehab facilities
General care clinics
Emergency rooms
Specialized hospital wings
Medical-surgical units
Schools and postsecondary institutions

Hiring Requirements and Expectations for CNAs

A current CNA license and placement on the Delaware Nurse Aide Registry
Continuing education units
Availability that includes nights, weekends, and holidays
Enough physical strength to lift 50 pounds while maintaining proper form
Up-to-date knowledge of patient care procedures and techniques
Strong knowledge of medical terminology
Ability to work efficiently in a high-stress, fast-paced setting

What Does a Nursing Assistant Do in Delaware?

Once you become a nurse’s assistant, you are bound by the nursing laws of the state of Delaware. These laws clearly separate healthcare duties between nursing assistants, LPNs, RNs, nurse practitioners, and physicians.

If you move outside your scope of practice and perform a task you are not authorized to do, you may place patients at risk and incur steep fines for your place of employment. At all times, you should be well-versed in Delaware nursing law and know exactly what you are permitted to do.

Certified Nursing Aide Duties

Communication with supervisors regarding patient status
Protection of patients’ confidentiality and rights
Maintaining a safe environment for residents
Keeping rooms tidy and attractive
Monitoring vital signs and documenting as required
Feeding and hydrating clients or assisting them in setup
Personal care, including brushing teeth and showering
Helping clients with toiling
Providing nutrition education to residents
Administering medications
Minimizing the spread of infection with appropriate cleaning procedures

Each facility has specific requirements for CNA shifts and a schedule you’re expected to follow. At the beginning and end of your shift, you participate in shift changeover. This involves updating incoming CNAs on their patients and giving them any special instructions, as well as setting up the wing and ensuring that supplies are fully stocked.

How Much Does a CNA Make in Delaware?

No matter how passionate you are about healthcare, you’re likely still curious about how much you may earn as a certified nursing assistant in Delaware. Across the state, the average salary for a nursing aide is $28,360 per year, which is in line with national averages and New England reports (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). In Wilmington, CNA incomes tend to be slightly higher; the average salary in this region is $28,950 per year (BLS, 2017).

As the healthcare industry grows, the demand for CNAs has increased substantially. In fact, in many parts of Delaware, job openings are increasing faster than nursing schools can graduate applicants. Between 2014 and 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 17% boost in job openings for nursing assistants across the country (2017).

Important CNA Resources in Delaware

As you can see, there are many resources available to nursing students and working CNAs in Delaware. It’s important to make full use of these resources from your early days as a student throughout your career.

When you begin working, you can keep up on your continuing education requirements with discounted training seminars, meet up with other nursing professionals at networking events, and get regular updates on nursing legislation that may impact your career.

If you plan on advancing your education with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you may get important advice regarding nursing schools, clinical rotations, and specializations.

This is the perfect time to become a certified nurse aide and start to explore your career options in the world of healthcare. Now, more than ever, the people of Delaware need access to ethical, highly trained nursing assistants.

Delaware legislators are trying to pass Ruthie’s Law, a law that would protect nursing home residents from abuse and ensure that family members are properly notified of incidents involving their loved ones (Buffalo News, 2017). Your desire to do meaningful work and improve the world of healthcare may help patients maintain their dignity and independence, enjoy each day a bit more, and get the daily care they need to improve their health.

If this sounds like it fits your career goals, get started now.

Get in touch with CNA Delaware schools to find a program that suits you.

Delaware

Delaware Technical Community College
Campus Locations in: Wilmington, DE
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Program, Medical Assisting – Associate Degree
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Harris School of Business
Campus Locations in: Dover, DE / Wilmington, DE
Matching Programs: Dental Assistant – Certificate, Professional Medical Assistant – Certificate, Professional Medical Assistant Plus – Certificate, Surgical Technology – Certificate
Program Types Offered: Certificate