What Are the Qualifications for a Certified Nurse's Aide?

by Jeffrey Joyner, Demand Media

A certified nurse’s aide, or CNA, might be called a certified nursing assistant, certified nurse aide or certified nurse assistant, depending on the state. Their primary duties, however, are identical: They provide personal care to nursing home residents and hospital patients. The job may entail helping one patient dress, feeding another and emptying the bedpan for yet another. Just as exact titles vary, different employers and states have different qualifications for CNAs but certain qualifications apply to all.


Certified nursing assistants must complete a training program, which typically lasts about two months. Admission to the program generally requires students to be high school graduates or pass math and reading tests. Some high schools offer programs for nurse's aides. Other sources for training include community colleges, vo-tech schools and some nursing homes and hospitals. The programs usually require prospective students to prove their vaccinations are current, and a negative tuberculosis test may also be required. Either before enrolling or as part of the program, depending on the school, students must become certified in CPR. While training, students take classes in medical ethics, anatomy, medical terminology, patient care, bio-hazards and patient rights.


After graduating from an accredited training program, nursing aides must pass an exam to earn the CNA designation. Although each state establishes its own requirements, most require registration with the health department and a written exam to prove competency. A nursing assistant cannot use the CNA designation until the registration process is complete and a passing grade on the exam is earned.


A CNA must be an effective communicator, which involves the ability to convey ideas to others as well as the ability to listen and comprehend. Nursing assistants must be capable of managing both their own time and that of their patients. They must also be sensitive to potential problems, recognizing when the possibility of something going wrong exists even if they cannot provide a solution.

Personal Attributes

Because CNAs are caregivers, they should enjoy helping others. They must have the character to resist any pressures to commit acts that are contrary to their moral values. Nursing assistants must be able to adjust their actions when circumstances or the actions of others require it. The job requires patience to deal with elderly, injured or sick patients. CNAs should also be compassionate and empathetic.

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