If i have a hha certificate can i work as a cna?

[Lavender519]

I'm in Buffalo N.Y. and i was in a class to get a cna certificate. During the class we were taught things that i've seen to be cna training. Do to the fact that i had some personnal issues to attend to, i wasn't able to finish the class. I've kept in touch with people who were in the class and was told that the certificate that they received says hha. I was told i could return to the next class and finish where i left off. My question though is should i even bother? I don't want to be limited to only being able to work at a home health care agency. If i have a hha certificate can i also work as a cna? Or do i specifically need to be certified as a cna? I'm also very confused as to the different amounts of time for training classes in my area. They seem to range from 2 to 5 wks. What is the difference? I have also been told that cna training is a college course, if so how is that different from a training class that i could get at a nursing home? I mean why would someone pay to take a college couse if you could get the same training for free? I'm very confused by all the conflicting information i'm getting. Can anyone clear up some of this confusion for me?

[nminodob]

I took both HHA and CNA at my local community college. In California they are 2 different things, you get a different certification for each, CNA training will take you into acute care (such as a hosipital) and it makes more sense for you to focus on getting CNA training which will allow you to do both jobs. I know around here there are private places that charge a lot for a short course that will get you a CNA cert., but they cost $. If you have time, take the course at a local college - it takes longer but is cheaper. I have heard that Red Cross also offers CNA training, but not sure about that. Good Luck!

[Lavender519]

I guess i'm confused by the fact that so many places in this area offer cna training (they are all paid training classes). I just don't understand the differences in the time frames for the classes offered. As i said, it ranges between 2 & 5 wks. What is the difference in that? If i get certified at a 3 wk. class, is the certificate the same as if it were a 5 wk. class? And with a certificate from a 3 wk. class, am i then able to apply for any job any where they're hiring for cna's? Also what is the difference between one of these classes and one that would be taught at a college, other than i'd have to pay instead of being paid for the training?

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I was a home health aide many moons ago. At that time, we got hired off of the street with little to no training (not even two weeks). Since then, it seems to have changed. The CNA is trained to work in hospitals, nursing homes, etc, while the HHA is limited to home health only. CNA training is probably longer because they are learning more skills. In addition, now, CNAs are utilizing additional skills in phlebotomy, EKG and dressings, so, many are taking extension classes to include these two additional skills.

If the CNA course is taught at a college, it is under the continuing education department, where they do not earn a degree, but after taking the state exam, they are certified to work.

[caliotter3]

There is no difference between CNA courses when you get the CNA certificate, you take the same exam. A two week course will have the material bunched up into two weeks, whereas a five week course will spread it out over five weeks, and a 12 week course will spread it out over 12 weeks. Same test at the end. If you want to have CNA jobs available to you, you should get the CNA certificate. To be certain, call some employers and see what they tell you. You might want to pose your question to your state certifying authority. CNA courses are often offered in college as part of the requirements to go on for LPN or RN. This course may provide college credit. Some community colleges also provide acute care CNA courses which prepare one for jobs in acute care facilities, such as hospitals. It is a good idea to take such a course after one has completed the regular long term care course.