Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in American Samoa

There are Certified Nursing Assistant classes available in American Samoa. Anyone who is compassionate and caring for other people could be suited to a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). They work in a variety of health establishments including hospitals, adult day care centers, long-term care facilities, home health agencies and hospice agencies, as well as some other settings. CNAs work in close contact with patients who might be sick or disabled, providing support and care for their basic needs. Typical daily tasks that a CNA might assist in include bathing, feeding and clothing patients. Certified Nursing Assistants work directly under the supervision of registered nurses. CNAs are also qualified to take vital signs and, if licensed to do so, administer medication, in addition to conducting many standard medical tasks with the nurse.

Nursing assistants provide a crucial role in the day-to-day running of health care establishments, and without them the nation’s general health operations would be significantly damaged. To become a nursing assistant, one must first undertake a Certified Nursing Assistant training program and pass the relevant exam. Certified Nursing Assistant classes in American Samoa are few in number, but they are usually offered by a variety of education institutions and health care facilities including colleges and universities. The typical duration of a CNA training program is between 6 and 12 weeks, though there are some ‘flash’ courses which can be completed in 4 weeks. On average, a student spends 6 hours per day training or working.

Students of any CNA program will learn the fundamentals of patient care. The aim is to ensure that the student finishes the course with all the skills, knowledge and attributes required to work as a professional CNA. Courses usually consist of a mixture of classroom learning, with textbooks and lectures, and practical learning, with hands-on training and clinical experience. Personal communication skills are also developed, because these are very important. The best Certified Nursing Assistants tend to already have personality traits pertaining to human compassion; that is, sensitivity and empathy, but self-confidence, patience and reliability are also extremely important. Having a positive, mature outlook is also a definite plus. Though there are no specific physical requirements, it is important that students are able to lift patients and heavy objects, usually with the aid of others; so, a strong back is helpful, and what’s more, you need to be someone who doesn’t mind being on your feet all day.

The average national salary for a CNA is around $25,000, and demand for Certified Nursing Assistants is growing nationwide – including American Samoa. It’s certainly a worthwhile career path to get into. Typically, enrolling in a CNA training program is going to cost between $250 and $1000. At the end of any training program, students must pass the CNA exam. This is usually broken down into written, oral and practical sections. As a qualified and licensed Certified Nursing Assistant, you are almost guaranteed to get a job somewhere in the United States and its territories.

At present, there is only one official Certified Nursing Assistant class available in American Samoa. It is listed below:

•    Pago Pago CNA Programs, American Samoa Community College