Becoming a CNA in Texas

What is Involved in Completing CNA Training in Texas?

Becoming certified as a nurse aide in Texas means that you will be able to work in any nursing home or long term care establishment. There are a few requirements that must be completed in order to receive your certification in Texas, however.You must finish a CNA training program that is approved by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Then, you must pass the Nurse Aide Exam governed by the state. When both the approved program and the exam have been passed, you will be placed on the registry and listed as having CNA certificationto work in Texas.

Enrollment and Completion of CNA Classes in Texas

Step 1:

Find an approved program in your state:
Find a CNA Training Program

People that choose to pursue CNA certification in Texas will need to meet a few prerequisites before they are eligible to complete the enrollment process. First, most schools require nurse aide candidates to have earned a high school diploma or GED, and students also need to be at least 18 years of age. You will also be required to undergo a criminal background check and a full health screening before taking classes. This is typical of all medical careers in efforts to preserve the safety and well being of any patients under the care of nurse aides.

Step 2:

Complete your CNA training.

Texas CNA classes  will typically require students to be present in training for no less than 75 hours. Around 51 of these hours of training will take place in the classroom, and an additional 24 hours will be spent in a medical facility receiving hands-on training and experience. These skills will be on the final exam for licensing, so get the most education out of your training as possible.

You will get your CPR training certificate as part of your curriculum in addition to learning:

• Resident foul play or abuse recognition
• Sanitation procedures and infection control
• Mentally ill patient communication
• How to handle emergency situations
• Helping residents cope with impending death
• Proper grooming procedures of incapacitated patients

CNA Testing Procedures and Applying for CNA Certification in Texas

Step 1:

Find a testing site and register to take your CNA certification exam.

Occasionally, the institution where you received your CNA training will also serve as a testing site.  You can also find test locations by contacting the designated test conducting organization of this state, which is Pearson Vue.  You will need to preregister for the exam, you will be required to pay an $83 fee before you will be scheduled a date for test taking.

Step 2:

Study for your CNA exam and take practice tests before you take the official test.

Step 3:

Pass the CNA certification exam, which is administered by Pearson Vue.

This exam consists of a written section and a skills assessment section. For the written section, you will need to complete 70 multiple-choice questions. During the skills assessment section, you will need to successfully complete four out of five nurse aide tasks.

If you complete the exam successfully, you will be added to the Texas State Nurse Aide Registry. Paper proof will be mailed to your home, or you can print your certificate out on the Internet.

Step 4:

Create your resume and look for CNA jobs.

CNA job openings in Texas are expected to grow by 28% over the next decade. On average, the CNA salary within the state is $22,000 annually. However, salary can depend on where you live in Texas.