CNA Training and Resources
CNA training resources from AAPACN include an extensive library of in-service education toolkits and career resources as well as articles, blogs, and podcasts from AAPACN nurse experts. The AAPACN Education Foundation offers scholarships for CNAs looking to advance their nursing education.
- COE-NF De-Escalation Staff Education ToolkitThe Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities offers a De-Escalation Toolkit for staff education.
- Need Behavioral Health Training Help? Check Out the COE-NFThe Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF), which opened its online doors in December 2022 thanks to a three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is …
- Q&A: Are there specific requirements for CNA documentation?Question: Are there specific requirements for CNA documentation? Answer from Alexis Roam, MSN, RN-BC, CPHQ, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: Although Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual (SOM) includes numerous references to documentation, it does not specify what …
- Education Foundation Scholarship RecipientsCelebrating the AAPACN Education Foundation 2023 Scholarship Recipients Individuals who choose a career in post-acute care are driven by a passion to improve the quality of life and care for those living in long-term care. …
- Basics of Emergency Care for Medical Emergencies – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to identify the risks for medical emergencies for skilled nursing facility residents and select basic actions to follow when a medical emergency occurs. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool …
- Stay Alert for Hypoglycemia – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn what diabetes is, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, and what certified nurse aides (CNAs) should do when they see a resident might be experiencing hypoglycemia. Download now. For …
- Dining Safety – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to understand why dining is an important activity, know at least three factors that make residents high risk for aspiration, describe first aid measures for choking and burns, and discuss at least …
- CNA Longevity Part 2: Money Isn’t a Cure-All—Management Style MattersEditor’s note: In this two-part series, this article covers management techniques that can help directors of nursing services (DNSs) and other members of the administrative team improve long-term certified nursing assistant (CNA) retention. The first …
- Communicating With Residents With Dementia – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to describe the ways that dementia can affect communication and identify different measures that can assist in effectively communicating with residents who have dementia. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce …
- Lead CNA Programs: Learn How to Hire and Support the Best In-House CandidatesLead certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs can create positive change in nursing homes. While program goals often vary from facility to facility, lead CNA programs may improve resident quality of life and quality of care, …
- Playing the Defensive Line Against Pressure Injuries – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn how to define a pressure injury and recognize ways to protect the skin to prevent pressure injuries. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full or in part, please …
- Back Safety – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to understand the risk factors for staff injury, identify devices that aid in transfer, and implement safe techniques for lifting and moving residents. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool …
- The Many Forms of Resident Abuse and Neglect – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will identify types of abuse, define neglect, demonstrate what steps to take if abuse is observed, and discuss how to prevent abuse. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full or …
- The Exit of the CNA: Mandate or Me—What Now?With the introduction of the vaccine mandate for nursing home employees, many organizational leaders fear staff, especially certified nursing assistants (CNAs), will quit rather than get the vaccine. This week, several industry experts have voiced …
- Nurse Aide (CNA) In-Service Training and Competency Tracker ToolF947, Required in-service training for nurse aides, requires that each certified nursing assistant (CNA) complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training per year starting on the CNA’s hire date. Nurse leaders can customize …
- Respecting Cultural Diversity – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationThis learning activity should enable the participate to identify major areas of care that culture affects and at least three actions that can be taken to show respect for residents’ diversity. Download now. For permission …
- Providing Excellent Customer Service – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationThis learning activity should enable the participate to identify who the customer is, demonstrate good customer service, and discuss the steps of service recovery. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in …
- Basics of Care for the Resident Who Has Urinary Incontinence – Nursing Assistant In-Service EducationIncontinence is a common issue for many of our residents. In fact, almost 50% of residents in a nursing home present with some type of incontinence. This education will discuss urinary incontinence along with the …
- Appropriate Use of Personal Protective Equipment – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to understand how to select appropriate PPE to wear, uses for each PPE, and how to apply knowledge to don and doff PPE correctly. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce …
- Combatting Failure to Thrive in Adults – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to understand what failure to thrive is, recognize signs of failure to thrive, and apply knowledge to combat failure to thrive. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in …
- Flu Trivia – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to explain the dangers of the flu virus for residents and how it’s transmitted, understand your role in daily surveillance for flu symptoms, and understand what action to take to prevent an …
- Staying Alert for Acute Conditions – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to describe reasons nursing home residents are at risk for acute conditions, list symptoms and changes in vital signs, physical function, mental function, and body condition that could indicate acute conditions, identify …
- Foot Health and Care – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to list three factors that contribute to foot problems, describe a corn, callus, plantar wart, plantar fasciitis, bunion, and hammer toe, and discuss good foot care practice. Download now. For permission to …
- The Skin: Facts, Risks, and Care – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to identify major structures of the skin, list at least four functions of the skin, describe at least three observations that help to assess skin, and describe at least four care measures …
- The Losses Families Grieve – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to describe at least three reasons for families’ grief, list at least ten signs of grief, and discuss measures to help grieving families. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this …
- Signs of Pain in Residents with Dementia – Nursing Assistant In-service EducationParticipants will learn to identify residents with dementia with whom they’ve worked and discuss the ways these residents indicate pain and other symptoms, discuss how residents’ lives are impacted when they have headaches or other …