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If you’re looking for a flexible and rewarding career, you might want to consider becoming an STNA. As a State Tested Nursing Assistant, you will work under the instruction of a nurse or doctor to provide basic care to patients and help enrich their daily lives. STNA’s have the ability to work in a variety of settings ranging from hospitals to patient homes. To get started on your career path in the medical field, you can follow these steps to become an STNA in Ohio.

• Find a training program that has been approved by the Ohio Department of Health. Since all STNA training programs are under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Department of Health, it is important to make sure the program you choose has been approved before you begin taking classes. You don’t want to waste your time or money on a program that won’t count towards your state mandated requirements.
• Ask for information about the program, such as class schedule(s), tuition and fees, and start dates. Gather as much information as possible so that you can compare your options side by side.
• Decide which program is a good fit for your life and your schedule. Most programs offer day, evening and weekend classes to choose from. Make sure you choose what best fits your goals, lifestyle, and budget.
• Fill out the application and follow any other steps to enroll in the program such as getting a TB test.
• Complete the training hours required for both classroom and clinical training, which will total 75 hours. Make sure you attend all classes, pay attention, and take good notes to reference when it comes time to study for your exam.
• After you complete all of your STNA training, you can sign up to take the Ohio STNA certification exam. The exam will consist of 79 multiple choice questions and will also require a skills test to demonstrate your clinical skills.
• Take the exam. With the training you received during your program, you should have all the information you need to successfully pass your test. Once you’ve passed, you will officially be licensed as an STNA in that state of Ohio!

If you are ready to start training to become an STNA, Premier Choice Health Services offers classes in Columbus, Ohio to help get you on your way. Contact us today to register for classes!

If you’re considering working as a State Tested Nursing Assistant in the state of Ohio, you might be wondering what kind of benefits there are to this particular career path. Although you are able to change careers at any point in your life, choosing a path and paying for the education that career requires is still a big decision. However, you should know that choosing to work in the medical field as an STNA has many positives. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that come with being an STNA.

• Allows you to get experience in the medical field

Starting your medical career as an STNA is a smart choice for many reasons. The investment required to become an STNA is much smaller than that to become a nurse, in both time and money. If you are considering furthering your career in the medical field, starting out as an STNA is a great way to see if the industry is a good fit. By choosing to become an STNA first, you’ll get your feet wet and be able to see if you enjoy working in the medical field.

• Provides a challenging and stimulating work environment

When you work as an STNA, your work environment and daily duties will be anything but boring. You will most likely be working with multiple patients who have different needs and different personalities. Interacting with patients and other medical care providers will keep you on your toes and provide new challenges every day. If you are someone who prefers a very routine and predictable job, this might not be the job for you. But if you prefer to meet new challenges, working as an STNA will be right up your alley!

• Helps you find a sense of purpose

Working with patients who need your assistance and care will help give you a sense of purpose at work. Not every career provides purpose but when you know that the patients are dependent on your skill and care, it will help you find your work more rewarding as you are able to help others live a more fulfilling life. By helping patients with their medical needs, you are brightening their day and their quality of life.

• Offers job flexibility in scheduling and location

STNA’s are needed around the clock in some work environments which means that you will be able to work a non –traditional schedule if you’d like. Maybe the 9-5 doesn’t suit your personality or work with your schedule. If so, you can find work in the evenings or on weekends. In addition to multiple scheduling options, work location opportunities vary greatly ranging from hospitals to providing care for patients in their own homes.

The benefits of working as an STNA could go on and on but we’re going to stop here for now. If becoming an STNA is a career choice that you want to pursue, the next step is to enroll in classes to receive proper training. Contact PCHS today to learn more about our STNA training program! Call us at 1-614-896-6420 to get started on your journey to becoming a State Tested Nursing Assistant.

You’ve been working hard and taking classes to get your State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) certificate and now it’s time to take your test. While taking tests can be nerve wracking, if you’re well prepared they won’t seem as intimidating.

Part of being prepared means that you know how to study effectively. We’re going to discuss some practical study tips that will help you be prepared for your STNA exam.

• Give Yourself Plenty of Time

There is no point and also no benefit in cramming all of your studying into one session. In order to get the most out of your studying, you should plan out and schedule your study times over a week or two. Make sure you give yourself enough time to cover everything. Really work hard to understand the concepts and not just memorize the questions and answers.

• Find Your Learning Style

We all learn differently taking STNA classes. Find out what works best for you and then apply those methods to how you study. Are you a visual person? Try sketching diagrams or pictures. Do you learn best through hearing things? Have a friend or classmate read questions and answers out loud. Whatever your learning style, adapt your studying habits to reflect it.

• Set Up Your Space

Typically it is easiest for people to study in quiet, comfortable spaces. Find a place you can study without distraction, and also a place that is comfortable. However, a word of caution; don’t get too comfortable or you might fall asleep! Some people like to play classical music while they study so that there is some level of outside noise to help keep them alert. Play around with it and see what works best for you.

• Find Your Weak Points

Once you have studied your material for a while, ask a friend, relative or classmate to test you. This gives you a chance to practice answering the questions and also gives you a gauge of where you stand. If there are certain areas that you missed many questions in, then you will know where you need to spend more time.

• Make Sure to Take Breaks

It is not productive to study for long periods of time without a break. Your mind simply cannot retain all the information coming in. Try setting a timer for yourself when sitting down to study. For every 45 minutes of concentration, take a 15 minute break. Get up and walk around, stretch, and give your mind a break.

Practice these tips when studying for your STNA exam and it will help make the process a little easier. Do you have any study tips that have worked well for you? Please feel free to share your tips for success and help others pass their STNA test with flying colors.

We know that studying for any test can seem overwhelming. That’s why at Premier Choice Health Services we offer unlimited free reviews for the skills you’ve learned, free sample state written tests on our computers, and unlimited access to the facility to practice your skills and written exams. As a result of our thoroughness, PCHS has the highest pass rate in the state of Ohio.

Contact us today at 614-896-6420 to sign up for classes and start your journey towards becoming an STNA!

Home health care refers to a wide range of services performed by licensed and trained State Nursing Assistants and other health care professionals. There are a variety of people who benefit every day from home health care services.

If you’re wondering if home health care is the right option for yourself or your loved one, see the list below to learn who can benefit most from home health care.

• Aging individuals who wish to maintain their sense of independence and stay in their homes as long as possible
• Persons of all ages who need care or special assistance upon returning home from the hospital after surgery or illness
• Those struggling with mental illness who need daily support and monitoring
• Adults who want their aging or ill parents to receive quality care in the comfort of their home
• And many other individuals with chronic diseases and disabilities, who need continued observation but do not want or need to enter a nursing home or other assisted living type facility

As you can see, there are many reasons for an individual to request home health care beyond what most people would think. Home health care covers a variety of conditions and situations, so if you’re uncertain whether or not it’s the right choice for yourself or your loved one, you can always call us to find out more 614-896-6420.

So, what can home health aides assist with? There are many tasks that can be performed by home health aides. Some of the basic and most common tasks include:

• Meal preparation and meal time assistance
• Laundry
• Hygiene tasks such as bathing, oral care, and grooming
• Light house keeping
• General health supervision
• Companionship and conversation

This list only touches on the basic of what our home health aides can do through our premier choice health services. Each client’s needs are unique and therefore what one person needs, another may not. The great benefit of home health care is that it can be customized to what the individual needs most.

As you can see, home health care offers many benefits to the recipients as well as their family and friends. It is personalized, in-home service that allows people to thrive and heal while finding comfort in being in their own home and with their usual surroundings.

Do you have additional questions about home health care and what it can provide you or your loved one? If so, please call us today.

We are happy to tell you about our services in more depth and answer any questions you might have! You can reach us at 614-896-6420.

There are several successful characteristics for the nursing field. Do you have what it takes to be a STNA? Here’s what you need to know.

After you complete your classes and healthcare training you may still be wondering: Do you have what it takes to be a STNA? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many other STNA graduates worry that they aren’t ready for their exciting new career either. After all, as an STNA you will be providing care for patients in many different exciting and stressful situations. Training was one thing, but going out and living your dream can seem daunting at first. Don’t despair, you have what it takes. Your classes have given you all of the proper training you could ever need to become a successful, compassionate, and sought-after STNA. Still worried? Here’s what you need to know about the characteristics of a successful nursing career.

Drive and Passion
Your motivation when it comes to your career and training to become an STNA could make all the difference in landing you your dream job in the healthcare field. Drive and determination play a huge role in having what it takes to become an STNA.

Calm and Collected Attitude
Nursing can be stressful and time sensitive, making the need for your calm and collected attitude not only appreciated, but necessary in your career. You will be working with doctors, nurses, and patients of all different background, you will be performing uncomfortable or unappealing tasks, as well as dealing with high stress levels and emotions. Showing a professional and calm demeanor during these times makes you the right candidate.

An Empathetic Disposition
Nursing isn’t always technical. In fact, much of nursing involves the relationship you develop with your patients. Empathy is essential when you are dealing with sick patients and their families. Being in a healthcare facility can mean serious illness and serious discomfort. It won’t be unusual to run into a distraught patient. Your empathy will help you put yourself in your patient’s shoes and show them the compassion and support they need during their difficult stay.

Physical Endurance
STNA’s will be doing a lot of heavy lifting and will spend a lot of time on their feet during their careers in healthcare. This makes physical endurance an essential quality to have.

Nursing isn’t easy, and neither are the qualities involved in pursuing an STNA career. Not all of the characteristics listed come naturally to those training to become an STNA, but with the proper classes and the right motivation, you’ll be on your way to a great attitude and an exciting career in the medical field.

The medical field is demanding of your time and energy. Learn what employers look for when hiring an STNA.

If it is your dream to pursue a career in healthcare, a job as a state tested nurse’s assistant is one quick way to get you from training and classes straight into the field. Whether hiring privately, at hospitals, in nursing homes or in rehab facilities, there is no shortage of employers looking to fill STNA positions. Certainly your passion for where you work and what you do will shine through to your potential employers, but what else do they want in their potential employee? Here is what employers look for when hiring an STNA.

How To Get Hired As A STNA
While you may think holding a successful passing score from your classes is enough to get your foot in the door, there are many other qualities and attributes that your STNA employer is looking for when filling a nursing position. Here are some characteristics they are looking for:

• Successfully State Tested Employees. A no brainer; if you’re applying for a STNA position, your employer wants to know that you passed and were successfully state tested and approved.
• Good Written And Verbal Communication. As with any job in the healthcare field, your training in written and verbal communication is of the utmost importance. Not only should you be taking proper notes on your patients, you also need to be able to properly communicate with your colleagues in a clear and concise manner.
• Observation Skills. As an STNA you will be observing your patients every single day, and even the slightest change in behavior may signal an issue with your patient’s health or treatment. STNA’s do well to be detail-oriented at their jobs.
• Time Management. When working as a nurse’s assistant, there will be many patients to take care of in a small amount of time. Since you do not always work in a monitored situation, your time management and organizational skills will be a key element to your value.
• Responsibility. As with any job, your employer does not want to hire someone who will pass off shifts, or call in sick often. Remember as an STNA when you do not show up for your shift you are letting down not only your fellow nurses and colleagues, but also your patients who need your compassion, support, and training.

Are you interested in pursuing a career as an STNA? Let PCHS help get you started today by signing up for STNA classes and taking advantage of our 98% pass rate for careers in healthcare.

Working in the medical field can be hard work, and takes certain kinds of people to get the job done. So how do you know if STNA is the right career choice for you? We’re looking at what your classes don’t teach you: 6 character traits that make health care workers great at their jobs.

1. Patience

When you’re feeling physically ill, you’re not exactly a ray of sunshine to those around you. The same can be said of your ill patients. Children, sick patients and families under extreme duress may be less than a joy to be around, making your patience one of the most important qualities you can possess in the medical field. When faced with stressful situations, patience will help you perform your job with the utmost professionalism.

2. Good Communication

Whether you’re communicating with a patient or other medical professionals, working as an STNA in the medical field requires the ability to properly express yourself and your needs. This will allow both you and those around you to do your job to the highest standards.

3. Compassion

Part of achieving the best bedside manner possible includes having compassion for your patients. Showing compassion is integral to your job as a STNA. Aside from dealing with illness or injury, patient’s often suffer through stress and have a tendency to feel vulnerable in front of their doctors and nurses. Your compassionate attitude will help you relate to your patient, comfort them, and make them feel at ease.

4. Tact

Tact is another essential element to a proper bedside manner. While you may be tempted to be blunt with impatient or rude patients, this is not the way to behave as a medical professional. Patients may be dealing with life or death situations, and informing them bluntly of the worst possible scenarios is not the thing to do. With all medical information and compassion shown, use tact and never overstep your bounds as an STNA.

5. Flexibility

When it comes to your work, STNA careers require a flexible schedule. Nursing is not a 9-5 job, and both patients and your colleagues may need you to go above and beyond when it comes to scheduling. Whether you’re covering for a fellow nurse, working in unfamiliar settings, or staying longer than your shift indicates, your flexibility on the job will speak volumes about your work ethic.

6. Stress Management

Odds are you didn’t get into nursing classes thinking you were signing up for an easy job. It’s true, burn out is commonly experienced by those in health care, making stress management and work/life balance both key ingredients to working in the medical field.

Do you possess these 6 key character traits? If so, a career as an STNA may be right for you! In the Ohio area and looking to start your STNA training today? Contact PCHS today at 1.614.896.6420

If you’re looking to pursue a career in the medical field, one of the first things you’re going to be looking at are schools. STNA classes and training are essential to starting potential careers in the medical field. When considering schools you’re going to want to make realistic choices based on what fits your current schedule and personal situation. So how can you choose an STNA training program that’s right for you? Here are 6 key ingredients needed when deciding on the right school for you.

Location
When choosing your school and classes, it’s important to look for a school that is in a location you’re comfortable with. Will you be willing to move to attend a good school? Do you have family or work obligations that don’t allow you to pick up and leave? These are all things to consider before choosing an STNA program.

Accreditation
When looking into STNA programs make sure your school is accredited by your State. This means your school will have met state regulations and nursing accreditation. These are signs of a good school that takes your education seriously. These school credentials will also help you when applying for jobs in the future.

Price
While good teachers, accredited schools, and hands-on experience are all must-haves on your STNA school checklist, there is no point in choosing a school that you can’t afford! Price should definitely be a consideration when choosing your school, especially if you won’t be receiving any grants, loans, or other types of government funding for your education. Do research on your top school choices and see which one is realistic for your budget, and be sure to check into any financial assistance your school may be offering.

Program and Pass-Rates
When it comes to choosing an STNA training program, you’re going to want to pay close attention to program details, exceptional instructors, and pass-rates. Pass rates not only mean you’ll be on your way to your new career in no time, it is also a sign that your instructors are professional and take the time to assist you on a personal level with what you’re learning.

Online VS. In-House
Are you looking to attend school at a physical institution, or does your personal situation call for online learning? Both types of STNA education are available, each with their own pros and cons. This is a definite factor when considering classes and training programs for the medical field.

Class Experience and Post-Grad Opportunities
Accredited programs will offer their students clinical instruction and hands-on experience during STNA training. Some schools may even offer placements post-graduation. This hands-on training can make all the difference in whether you land your dream job after graduation.

Your education is of the utmost importance and makes all the difference where you end up in life, so take your STNA selection process seriously and don’t settle for less than you deserve. Good luck!

Technology has been changing STNA training for decades now, whether you believe this has been for better or worse. Those who have had careers in nursing for years now have likely seen changes both big and small in their field due to emerging technology. Advances such as the Internet, social media, and smart phones have all made their mark on advancing STNA careers. So what does this mean for you and your future in nursing?

Likely you, too, will see many technological changes in the future of your career. Here are some tech changes you may encounter in the future.

Patient Education
While this can sometimes feel overwhelming, with a patient trying to overshadow your professional opinion with one they’ve read online, the future improvement of online medicine may actually improve your patient’s visit. As the Internet continues to advance and provide more stable and accurate information on patient’s symptoms and potential conditions, patients will be able to better relate their ailments and possible or preferred treatment options.

Laboratory Testing Online
One such example of technology taking life as a STNA to an advanced level is Life Labs, a Canadian laboratory testing company. This month Life Labs announced their new online portal dubbed “My Results”, in which patients will be able to check their test results online, instead of waiting for a phone call or reporting in to their doctor or nurse. Test results including cytology, histology, genetics cytology, colon cancer checks or any other specialty tests will not be shared online.

Robots
That’s right, it’s finally happening. If Home Depot can have robot helpers, so can your hospital or nursing facility. While robots are not likely to be replacing nurses or doctors any time soon, their enhanced abilities certainly offer unimaginable help in the medical field. These robots are used in the operating room, and are even used to deliver supplies, offering nurses more one-on-one time with their patients.

Online Nursing Educations
While online schooling is not entirely new to the world of STNA classes and training, it certainly continues to improve as the years go by. Online training allows future STNA workers a flexible environment to pursue a rewarding career they wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to study. Access to advanced online textbooks, video classes, and one-on-one video conferencing with professors offers more hope for the nursing shortage.