Four Steps to Becoming an STNA
If you’ve thought about becoming a State Tested Nursing Assistant, you might have thought there’s no way you could do what you need to do. But the reality is that you really can become an STNA if you learn the required information and pass your certification exam.
Research the Requirements
Every state has its own requirements for State Tested Nursing Assistants. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with those requirements before you start a training program. Knowing those requirements ahead of time ensures that you are able to find a training program that not only feels right to you but that also means you’ll be able to become an STNA at the end of the program.
Find a Training Program That’s a Good Fit
The beauty of training to become an STNA is that you don’t have to go to the same school or training program that everyone goes to. There are a variety of different training programs that are accredited by the state. That means that they share the information you need to know in order to become an STNA, but they do so within their own framework. That might mean that you take classes at night to accommodate your current daytime job or that you take classes with an even more flexible schedule. There’s a perfect program for you.
Complete the Training and Take Your Certification Test
Whichever program you choose will give you both hands-on training as well as classroom training. You may also get a chance to take one or more practice tests. Your certification test is what proves to the state that you know what you need to know in order to be an STNA. Scheduling your test as quickly after you complete your training as possible ensures that the information you’ve learned is still fresh in your mind.
Start Applying for Positions
Once you’ve taken your exam and passed it, it’s time to apply for STNA positions. Being an STNA means that you can work in a variety of different settings, depending on what you find most interesting. You might work for a home health care company, a hospital, or even a small clinic. There’s no end to the types of positions that you can work in as an STNA. You may even decide to continue your nursing education and get further certification.
The process for becoming an STNA is not as complicated as it might seem at first. There’s a path you can follow that will take you exactly where you want to go.
