What is the Difference between CNA and CNA?
Posted on April, 23, 2012 by admin
Many people are considering taking nurse aide training programs but aren’t sure about what type of program to look for – CNA, CNA, LNA, or Nurse’s Aid (NA) classes. The State of Ohio does not recognize the term Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), though other states do, such as Michigan. “Nurse Aide” in Ohio is referred to as a State Tested Nurse Aide (CNA) and that is only after the candidate meets all the conditions and requirements contained within Ohio Administrative Code §3701-17-01.
“Nurse Aide” means an individual who provides nursing and nursing-related services to residents in a long-term care facility, other than a licensed health professional practicing within the scope of his or her license or an individual who provides nursing or nursing-related services as a volunteer without monetary compensation.” (OAC 3701-17-07.1 (A)(3))
“Nurse Aides must complete a training program and pass a knowledge test and a clinical skills test before they can be registered in Michigan. … Upon successful completion of both tests, an applicant is issued a certificate by Prometric that allows them to work as a certified nurse aide (CNA) for two years.” (State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs)
As mandated by the federal government, all states maintain a registry of individuals who have met all the criteria mandated by that state, which includes obtaining training through an accredited school/program, such as Premier Choice Health Services, and passing a state-mandated written and skills test. The registry contains a list of individuals that are certified to work in long-term facilities, hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and homes as a nursing assistant. If your name is not included in your state’s registry, you cannot legally work as a nurse aide (regardless of the title given by another state, person, school, or employer).
Below are titles and acronyms used by various states across the county and links to the respective state’s nurse aide registry:
● Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Michigan, New York and Virginia.
● Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Delaware, Florida and Maine.
● Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) in New Hampshire.
● Nurse Aide (NA) in Connecticut, New Jersey and Tennessee.
● Nurse Aide I and Nurse Aide II in North Carolina.
● Nursing Assistant (NA) in Maryland, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
● State Tested Nurse Aide (CNA) in Ohio.
If you are a nurse aide in good standing and certified in your state and want to transfer your certification to another state, you must contact the state you are moving to and obtain the appropriate verification forms. Be sure to inquire as to the fees (if any) and any additional documentation that may be required. It is highly suggested that you do so far in advance of the move so that your certification does not lapse or become invalid. If you’re interested in starting your CNA career in Ohio or CNA training in Michigan, contact Premier Choice Health Services today.
Posted in
