There is a well known demand on a national level for anyone with training and licensing as a CNA, but some states are hiring many more CNAs than others. Illinois is one of those that is actively seeking certified nursing assistants of all kinds, and is expected to create more than 1600 new CNA positions each year during the next decade. This is great news if you are hoping to find work in the state, and especially if you want to take CNA classes in Aurora, IL.
CNA Classes and Licensing Essentials in Aurora, Illinois
Naturally, your career begins with your training. This requires the use of one of the approved CNA programs through the Illinois Department of Public Health. Once it is completed the student can take the mandatory exam and begin providing services as a licensed CNA.
CNA training in Aurora can take up to four months to complete and demands that an absolute minimum of 75 hours of classes be completed. This is going to be divided between specific CNA classes and practical or “hands on” work. Before any student can interact with the patient population, however, they will have to have obtained a criminal background check and prove that they are current on immunizations. It is also suggested that CPR certification be obtained through one of the certified CPR programs in the area as well.
Best Training Sites in Aurora, IL
Though you can head to the Department of Health for a full list of the sites already approved for CNA training programs, the following list provides the names of the most convenient sites offering CNA classes in Aurora and the surrounding areas:
- Waubonsee Community College Aurora Campus
- EnVaNa Healthcare Training Center
- Montgomery Nursing and Rehab Center
Skills Acquired in CNA Training
What do you actually learn in your weeks of CNA classes and training? All certified nursing assistants will need to master a long list of skills before they can become licensed. These are mandatory, but don’t include such “basics” as lots of patience, a great deal of compassion, and the ability to multi-task, things you can’t learn in programs or classes. The technical issues you will cover in your training include:
- Infection control,
- Using equipment in the medical field,
- Proficiency in the medical language,
- Preparing patient meals and feeding when needed,
- Recognizing abuse
- Communication between yourself and peers or patients,
- Monitoring patient vitals, fluid intakes and mental state,
- Creating status reports for appropriate agencies and authorities,
- Establishing and promoting independence among the residents,
- Doing transfers and/or patient lifts, and
- Providing personal care such as toileting and changing.
Additionally, all CNAs should have CPR classes and certification too.
Earnings Information
The income potential for someone working in the Aurora area is a bit less than the national average.
According to Salary.com, a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) in Aurora, Illinois earns an average wage of $33,910 annually, as of August 4, 2020, with a range usually between $28,160-$40,654.
Essential Information about CNA Jobs in Aurora, Illinois
Where can you start to find work as a CNA, home health aide, or nursing assistant? You can begin with a very broad based search. We would say that a review of the listings on the Craigslist website for the Chicago area is going to be very useful and informative. You will see the wages as well as the types of work available.
You will also enjoy some success by giving your information to nursing staffing programs, and letting them know the type of work you are hoping to find.
Biggest Employers
If you are hesitant to jump right into a formal or official capacity, you can also elect to get a lot of different on the job experiences through work with a large scale employer – such as a hospital or clinic. The following sites are among the finest in the region:
These are great places to get fundamental training which can be used for a more targeted search later, or can be places you will work as a CNA in Aurora for many years as well.
- Popular Cities in Illinois