Top Online Nursing Assistant Courses, Certification Tips and Essential Skills
There are many institutions and platforms in the United States that offer online nursing assistant courses. These courses aim to provide the necessary knowledge and skills for those aspiring to become nursing assistants. Here are some main providers of online nursing assistant courses and the common contents of these courses:
Community Colleges and Vocational Schools
Many community colleges and vocational schools offer online nursing assistant courses. These courses typically include theoretical learning and clinical practice, covering the basic skills and knowledge needed for nursing assistants.
Examples:
Penn Foster Career School: Offers self-paced online nursing assistant courses covering basic nursing skills, anatomy, and physiology.
Ashworth College: Offers a nursing assistant diploma course, including patient care, medical terminology, and ethics.
Online Learning Platforms
Some online learning platforms offer nursing assistant courses, which are often developed by professional institutions or universities.
Examples:
Coursera: Partners with universities and professional institutions to offer nursing-related courses, such as introductory courses for nursing assistants.(First seven days free)
edX: Provides nursing courses developed by renowned universities, covering nursing basics and patient care.
Healthcare Institutions and Non-Profit Organizations
Some healthcare institutions and non-profit organizations also offer online nursing assistant training courses, especially courses targeted at specific needs or populations.
Examples:
Red Cross: Offers nursing assistant training courses, including online theoretical learning and on-site clinical practice.
National Healthcareer Association (NHA): Provides online nursing assistant certification courses, helping students prepare for nursing assistant certification exams.
Course Content
The content of online nursing assistant courses typically includes the following aspects:
Basic Nursing Skills: Such as bathing, feeding, changing bed linens, and assisting with patient mobility.
Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the structure and function of the human body.
Infection Control: Learning how to prevent and control infections.
Medical Terminology: Mastering basic medical terms and communication skills.
Ethics and Law: Understanding the legal responsibilities and ethical guidelines of nursing assistants.
Clinical Practice: Gaining hands-on experience through simulations or on-site internships.
Certification and Credentials
After completing online nursing assistant courses, students usually need to pass state or national certification exams to become certified nursing assistants. Certification requirements may vary by state, so it is advisable for students to understand the specific requirements of their state before choosing a course.
Costs and Financial Aid
The costs of online nursing assistant courses vary depending on the provider and course content. Many schools and platforms offer tuition assistance and payment plans to help students pay in installments or apply for scholarships.
In summary, online nursing assistant courses provide a flexible and convenient learning path for those who wish to enter the nursing field. They help students acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare for providing high-quality patient care in a healthcare setting.