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A competent 5th grader could pass the CNA course. It's all very basic stuff. As long as you have common sense, you'll do fine.
You would be surprised how many people don't pass!
Anyway, even if it is easy, don't let that prevent you from learning. I really don't think there is any pre-requisite to taking CNA classes, so you should be fine. :)
You learn how to take vital signs, make a bed, feed people, basic communication skills, moving and lifting, perineal care, bathing (some places do not have bathtubs. Therefore, you have to be good at transferring people so that you can move them in and out of a shower chair!), dressing, grooming, specimen collection, and dental care. :) If your class is the same is mine, you will do a clinical rotation at a local nursing home to practice these skills.
The class is pretty basic & fun imo. I loved my CNA class =) I think that besides showing you the basics, it helps prepare you to interact w/ patients. When I started nursing school , there were a couple of students that did not have any prior patient care & it took them a while to adapt.
kdh5139
20 Posts
Hello! I am taking the CNA courses this summer because they are required to apply for the nursing program at my school. I am pretty excited to take them, but am not sure exactly what I should be expecting academically. I have not yet taken any pre-reqs for the nursing program (Anatomy and Physiology, or Microbiology) and I am just wondering if any knowledge from these courses is required for the CNA courses/clinical? Thanks!