Do you want to start your medical career after completing a short-term training in Maryland? If yes, you can choose a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) career. It gives you a variety of adaptable work schedules, job opportunities, and comfortable salaries, and requirements or licensing procedures are not complex either. Having a certificate enables you to provide valuable patient care in Maryland across home health, group homes, hospitals, and assisted living. In this state, various types of nursing assistant certifications are available. CNAs in Maryland can also get other certifications as supplementary such as Dialysis Technicians, Certified Medication Aides, and Home Health Aides.
Types of Certifications for Nursing Assistants in Maryland
Before you learn the steps to become a CNA, you should understand the options available. In order to become a Certified Medication Aide and Home Health Aide, many states need you to go through special training. Beyond it, Maryland offers various certification types as discussed below:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): It is designed as a fundamental and a primary level for all other certifications. So, you have to earn a CNA certification before opting for a CMA, GNA, Dialysis Technician, or HHA.
- Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA): Beyond CNA certification, you can complete some other course and learn certain clinical skills through a GNA certification. A person is eligible for service at long-term care hospitals and licensed nursing homes after passing the examination for GNA. Several schools also provide a joined GNA-CNA program.
- Home Health Aide (HHA): Students having gained the CNA credentials meet the eligibility and training requirements of HHA.
- Certified Medicine Aide (CMA): If a person has achieved a GNA certification along with an experience of 1 year and has completed a 60-hour, state-approved medicine course at a community college, he/she earns the CMA certification.
- Dialysis Technician (CAN-DT): For students having earned a CNA certification, they can achieve the eligibility for working with the dialysis patients by completing the training requirement of the state.
CNA Classes in Maryland
Here are some steps you should follow to achieve your dream of becoming a CNA in the state of Maryland:
Step 1: Choose the Most Suitable Program
In Maryland, there are a variety of CNA programs that are state-approved. But all programs do not offer CNA-DT, CMA, or GNA training. While making a selection, here are some points that can help you find the most suitable program.
- Firstly, find the most interesting employment type because it influences the certification type that a student needs. This will help you shortlist the choice of school and required training as well.
- You can opt to earn a CNA certification prior to or alongside other certifications.
- Beyond CNA, there are various education and/or training required to earn more credentials.
Several institutes provide CNA programs, including nursing homes, community colleges, high schools, academies, renal care clinics, retirement homes, and technical colleges. Students can enlist their options by program and city preference and then compare various options to choose the most suitable match. Moreover, many Maryland-based high schools offer programs following a career path in health sciences that you can follow to gain CNA and CPR credentials. For instance, Paint Branch High School students attending the Academy of Health Professions get certified in 11th grade only with a 4-course first semester followed by a clinical training-based second semester and the senior year covers healthcare studies.
Step 2: Evaluate the Cost of CNA Program
The costs vary with the path that you opt for. You can complete a 6-week CNA & GNA training program with options of day and evening classes for CNA at the American Health Career Institute by spending $1065. An 8-week long CNA program with day/evening classes will cost you $1450 and will cover expenses for fees, books, and tuition at Prince George