Certified Nursing Assistant Program Policies
The purpose of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program is to educate/train individuals to meet the basic care needs of a patient/client base residing in a long-term care facility or setting. Students will acquire competencies in the provision of activities of daily living (ADLs), bedside care, and basic nursing procedures. Students successfully completing the classroom, skills laboratory, and clinical components will be eligible to earn a Certificate of Completion (as mandated by the Louisiana Department of Health – Health Standards) and will be eligible to take the competency evaluation required to hold the credential “Certified Nursing Assistant”.
Student Learning Outcomes
At completion of the program, successful students should be able to:
- Provide basic care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse
- Communicate and interact competently on an individual basis with residents as part of the team implementing care
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the resident’s emotional, social and mental health needs through skillful, directed interactions
- Assist residents in attaining and maintaining functional independence
- Exhibit behavior to support and promote the rights of residents
- Demonstrate proficiency in the skills needed to support the assessment of the health, physical condition and well-being of residents
A candidate for the Certified Nursing Assistant Program must possess abilities and skills in the following categories: observation, communication, motor, and behavioral modes. The examples cited below do not constitute an exhaustive list.
- Observation: A candidate must be able to observe a patient/client accurately. Examples of observation may include taking vital signs, measuring height and weight, and providing skin care.
- Communication: A candidate must be able to communicate effectively with patients/clients and other members of the health care team. The student must be able to interact with clients/patients and other members of the health care team in order to obtain information, describe patient status, and perceive verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Motor: A candidate must have adequate gross and fine motor function sufficient to effectively work with nursing problems and issues, and carry out related nursing care.
Physical abilities should be such that an individual may enter, leave and move about a room without difficulty and maneuver in small spaces. Examples of nursing care include ambulating and positioning patients and the provision of client daily hygiene care.
- Behavioral: A candidate must possess the emotional health required for total utilization of his/her intellectual abilities. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively in stressful situations. They must be capable of adapting to ever- changing environments; displaying flexibility in appropriately interacting with others, and learning to function in uncertain situations that are inherent in clinical situations involving clients. The ability to follow directives is essential.
Criteria for Selection
The program is open to all interested persons. There are no pre-requisite course requirements. Twenty students will be selected for each admission cycle. This is to maintain a 1:10 faculty-student ratio as mandated by the LA Department of Health. Students with previous enrollment at Southern University at Shreveport will be given priority. If the number of applicants is greater than available positions, a wait list will be maintained.
Admission Cycle
Students will be admitted to the Certified Nursing Assistant Program in two admission cycles during the spring and fall semesters, and one admission cycle in the summer semester.
The course will be taught over a 7 ½ week session. Students seeking admission must submit an application to the School of Nursing no later than 30 days prior to the start of each session.
NURC-100S: Certified Nursing Assistant (4 Total Credit Hours)
| Lecture: |
3 Credit Hours |
Classroom: |
45 Clock Hours |
| Clinical: |
1 Credit Hour |
Clinical: |
45 Clock Hours |
|
(1:3 credit/clock ratio) |
|
|
Students must submit current documentation of the following:
- Negative TB Skin Test
- CPR card
Expectations
Students admitted to the CNA program will be expected to:
- Have access to a reliable vehicle or transportation to and from the clinical site,
- Assume the cost of travel to and from the clinical site,
- Assume any liability associated with travel to and from the clinical site.
- Attend class regularly. Absence from class for any reason, avoidable or unavoidable; excused or unexcused; results in a loss for the student.
Program (Course) Completion
- Students must earn an overall grade average of 70% or better (or a grade of “C”) on all unit exams, workbook assignments, course assignments; as well as achieve a grade of “pass” in the lab/clinical component to successfully complete the course.
- A student that is not successful in the course may repeat the course at its next offering.
Evaluation Methods
There are two components to the course NURC-100S: Certified Nursing Assistant. Grading is based on a lecture component, and a lab/clinical component. Students must successfully complete the two components to earn a grade “C” or better
- A student passing the lecture and lab/clinical, will receive the letter grade earned in lecture.
- A student failing lecture and/or lab/clinical will earn a failing grade and will not be permitted to begin the certification process.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Required
Total Credit Hours: 4