When you hear the words, "red cross', chances are, it brings to mind, the pinnacle of patient oriented medical service. The Red Cross are always on the front lines of responding to the needs of the less fortunate. In the area of training, this is also the case. The Red Cross CNA training programs are among the most comprehensive there are in the field. A CNA is a certified nursing assistant, a medical worker who deals with a patient one on one, providing critical care and invaluable information to other medical staff.

Red Cross certified nursing assistant training is a two fold course. It not only involves several weeks of courses, many from 6 to 12 weeks in duration, but it also incorporates significant clinical, or hands-on training. This ensures that a student has both a clinical and a practical background in the medical support field.

Courses include basic nursing, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and infection control. Certified Nursing Assistants are often expected to give both medical and personal attention to their patients. From assisting nursing staff with medical equipment, to taking patient's vital signs, the one on one contact which these professionals have with their patients is critical.

Those students who complete the coursework and practicum must also pass a required final exam before officially completing their Red Cross CNA programs, and using that credential to seek employment. This certification can translate into between $23,000 to $30,000 per year, depending upon the facility. Certified nursing assistants can usually find employment in local hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, mental health facilities, schools, and even in private homes

It is the interpersonal relationship between the certified nursing assistant and his or her patients which is the most important piece in the big picture. As nurses and physicians are often limited in the time each can spend with patients, CNA's have many opportunities to speak candidly with and assess a patient or resident's medical concerns and state of mind. It is these interactions which provide critical information and insight into the nuances of a patient, often yeilding important insights into their conditions.

For less than $3,000 for Red Cross CNA training, a new and rewarding career can be discovered by ambitious and caring men and women.