Getting Registered As A Nursing Assistant

Any position in the medical field is an important one, as the physical care of human beings will be dependent upon you.  To protect patients, everyone who has entered any aspect of medical care must be registered with the appropriate agency in the state in which they live.  This applies not only to certified nursing assistants, but also to registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians.  It is necessary, when lives may be at stake, that the individuals administering care understand how to do their job – and this is why registry is so important.

What Is The Nursing Assistant Registry

All the states have a Nursing Assistant Registry that lists all the people who have successfully completed their training.  In order to become a certified nursing assistant you must attend classes in an accredited school or through an accredited online course.  When you are looking into where to obtain your training, make sure that the program you choose has been recognized by the state in which you reside or where you will be working.

You should always keep in mind that the requirements for registry may differ from state to state, so make certain that you have fulfilled all the necessary courses.

Once you have completed your courses, you will also have to get experience taking care of patients under the guidance of experienced CNAs or nurses.  This will have to be done in a health care facility such as a nursing home or hospital, and you may also receive some instruction from the doctors on duty.  You will need this on the job training to familiarize you with the procedures necessary for proper patient care.  Nearly every state requires that this training be done, to make sure that you understand completely the duties and responsibilities that go along with being a certified nursing assistant.
 
Enrollment In The Registry

Once you have shown that you have completed all your classroom and training requirements, you will be entered on the registry of your state.  Enrollment on the registry will enable any potential employer to ascertain that you are fully qualified for the job, and most states have a requirement that an employer must check with the registry before hiring anyone as a certified nursing assistant.

You will need to make sure that you work at least eight hours in any two year period to keep your registry enrollment.  Providing home health care will not satisfy this requirement, your eight hours must be at an institution like a hospital or nursing home that is recognized as a health care provider by your state.  Nursing assistant help that you provide without pay will likewise not be recognized. 

The state registry will have to be notified of any alteration in your name or address.  If you get married, divorced, or have your name legally changed, be sure to let the state registry know.  Some states now also require background checks into anyone applying for registration.  Moving to a new state will also mean that you must register with the medical registry board there.