Nursing Student Work Part-time CNA

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Hi everyone,

I'm a nursing student from San Francisco Bay Area. There's one more year left till my graduation and I would like to get a CNA license and get a part-time CNA job for this last year. I'd really appreciate any piece of advise about getting certified. I tried to research this idea, but it's hard to find out what exactly a nursing student needs to become a CNA. Is it just an exam or do I have to take a class as well? I've had lots of patient care experience during our clinicals and it seemed we did all a CNA would do. Thank you in advance!!!

Yulls

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Specializes in Hopice and School Nurse.

My understanding is that you have to do at least 75 hours in classroom and clinical instruction to become a CNA in the United States. Try contacting your state board of nursing and see what CA requires. In Arizona it's 120 hours, 40 of them are clinicals.

Good luck! It's been an eye opening experience for me and I truly believe it will make me a better nurse someday.

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Thank you, Marlene.

Contacting the Board is a great idea that never crosses my mind!

I'll post their reply as soon as I talk to them, maybe someone else had the same question.

Yulls

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Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

Also....you might want to check the facilities in your area. I'm in Ohio, and some hospitals will take nursing students that have completed their med/surg rotation in lieu of the CNA license.

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I think it depends on the state. In Florida, I think all you have to do is pass the exam. Some employers might require a certain type of schooling, but I don't believe it's a state requirement.

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I am in Washington State and we get a liscense here as well. My class is five weeks. 100 hours + 50 hours of clincial time. Im not sure about Cali though.

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