Nursing assistants provide for the most basic level of patient care, helping patients with everyday needs like bathing, getting dressed, and eating. They also help licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) with medical tasks, taking patients’ vital signs and monitoring symptoms. If you’ve ever had a hospital stay, nursing assistants are generally the ones who stop by to ask how you’re feeling of if you need anything. A big part of their job to keep RNs and LPNs informed about changes in patient wellness. Because of the social role nursing assistants play in the daily lives of patients, they are often perceived as primary caregivers, and can build strong relationships with those in need of care.
Becoming a nursing assistant is by far the fastest way to launch a career in the medical field. In Idaho, aspiring nursing assistants must finish 120 hours of coursework, comprised of 80 hours of classroom learning and 40 hours of supervised clinical and lab work. Unlike most other states, Idaho does not issue licenses for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), instead categorizing nursing assistants as unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). In spite of this difference in designation, aspiring nursing assistants must take a training program at a technical or vocational school, and pass the state-approved competency evaluation program (CEP) before beginning work.
If you’re interested in launching your career as a CNA, we’ve compiled below a complete list of nursing assistant programs in the state of Idaho.