According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Mississippi has one of the greatest demands for certified nursing assistants across the US. The growth in the population of the elderly increases the need for high-quality care services from geriatric care facilities, nursing homes, mental health institutions, and home health care. Then again, Mississippi is currently in review of the CNA courses offered by community colleges and other training centers. The state requires 75 hours of training before nurse aides can sit in for the evaluation exam. However, there are observed patterns of incompetency among CNAs with CNA jobs in Gulfport MS. This makes the agencies question the sufficiency of the 75 hours, and the quality of training given by the schools.
Certified nursing assistants should therefore wisely choose the schools for certification programs. There may be lists of training centers trusted by the employers, and it is always a must to have a hint on these schools’ credentials. Before planning to apply for CNA jobs in Gulfport MS, nurse aides should check whether the training school is fully accredited. Accreditation just means that the training centers meet and fulfill the standards and regulations set by the state. It would also be best if the students check with the certifying agencies and organizations for the list of registered and affiliated schools. Instructors, coverage of courses, and tuition fees should also be included in the checklist.
During the training programs, instructors should not only teach the different skills and techniques in patient care and basic nursing. Since the state has observed that most schools are falling short in the inculcation of the needed skills, trainings are now mandated to hone patience and good communication skills of students. Before the CNAs get accepted in the job applications for CNA jobs in Gulfport MS, employers nowadays also check whether the applicants can work as part of a team with stable physical and mental health. Fluency in written and spoken English is also checked and preferred by most employers.
After the certification programs, a certificate of completion is given to the students. Do not mistake this for a certification in nurse assistance. Some employers offering CNA jobs in Gulfport MS may accept this certificate, but most facilities nowadays are very particular with certification due to the state’s close monitoring of nurse aides screening. It is best to request an exam application by calling 1-888-204-6213 or logging on to www.pearsonvue.com. Students are required to send in a filled out registration form, along with a copy of the certificate of completion and a testing fee of $89. A passing rate in the exam can entail you legal employment as CNA after the assignment of certification number and nursing assistant card.
- Gulfport Memorial Hospital, 4500 13th Street, (228) 867-4000
- Garden Park Medical Center, 15200 Community Road, (228) 575-7000
- Driftwood Nursing Center, 1500 Broad Avenue, (228) 868-1314
- Lakeview Nursing Center, 16411 Robinson Road, (228) 831-3001
- Boyington Health Care Facility, 1530 Broad Avenue, (228) 864-6544