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The journey from high school to healthcare is shorter than many think, as current high school students and recent graduates can enroll in a Nurse Aide (NA) program, often called a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program, that prepares them for entry-level roles where they can take on basic bedside care duties and begin interacting with patients. High school to healthcare career programs are incredibly valuable, but sometimes professionals need a refresher to stay informed and active in their career.
Knowing when and how to pursue an NA or CNA refresher course is important, particularly if you are hoping to continue building on your healthcare foundation and pursuing advanced academic credentials.
The High School NA and CNA Head Start That Comes With an Expiration Date
The NA training program is a short-term technical diploma that prepares students for nurse aide roles, which many employers and job postings call CNA roles, in healthcare facilities such as hospitals or long-term care facilities. It's a strong option for high school students who are ready to enter the workforce and who want to continue building skills that may accelerate their healthcare careers.
Why So Many High Schoolers Earn Their NA or CNA License Early
The NA and CNA license is appealing to high school students who know that they want to work in the healthcare field and who are ready to start earning an income as quickly as possible. It's one of the few high school to healthcare career programs available that lets you begin pursuing your credentials at the age of 16.
What Happens After the Credential Is Earned
Students can enroll in the NA training program at the age of 16 years old, and once they complete their courses, they must pass the state competency exam to begin pursuing nurse aide or nursing assistant roles. From there, they can apply to nurse aide positions in various healthcare environments, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, medical offices or home healthcare agencies.
When the Credential Comes Back Into Focus
Sometimes, when you begin a career in high school, you may choose a different path as you enter adulthood. If your NA or CNA credential has lapsed, and you have been inactive for some time, you may find that you need to start with a refresher course to reactivate your registry status in Nebraska.
What an Inactive NA or CNA Registry Status Actually Means
Being listed as inactive on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry means that the state does not have any record or proof that you have worked as a nurse aid or nursing assistant for the last 24 months. If you are inactive on the registry, then you are not legally allowed to work as a nurse aide in the state.
How Nurse Assistant Registry Status Works in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services states that nurse aides must work in a paid nursing assistant or aide position within 24 months of the last date of their previous employment to remain active on the state registry. If your status has lapsed, you are able to renew your credentials and become active again, but you have to complete a refresher course and pass competency testing.
The Difference Between an Expired License and an Inactive Registry
There are key differences between an expired license and an inactive registry status:
- A professional license expires when the renewal date lapses and the individual has not taken the necessary measures to maintain their license.
- An inactive status occurs when a nurse aide voluntarily steps away from their role in the healthcare field and does not work in a nurse aide position for more than 24 months.
Why You Cannot Just Show Up to the Exam Without Preparation
To reactivate your status on the registry, you need to pass re-competency tests. These tests cover the practical, technical and interpersonal skills needed to work as a nurse aide, and depending on how long you have been inactive, the tests may cover new topics and skills that you aren't as familiar with. Preparing for these exams in advance is essential, and an NA or CNA refresher course is highly recommended.
What Changes Between High School NA /CNA Training and Returning to Practice
If you began working as an NA in high school but have taken a professional pause for several years, you may assume that you can instantly get back to work in a long-term care facility or nursing home without missing a beat. The reality is, though, the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, and returning to practice requires you to engage in intentional training for a professional brush-up.
While the central focus of working as a nurse aide may not have changed, there are going to be distinct differences that you notice, especially if you have been inactive for several years.
Clinical Standards and Best Practices Evolve
In recent years, stricter clinical standards have been put in place to ensure that nurse aides are qualified to provide patients with the personalized care they need. Safety standards and healthcare guidelines are regularly updated, and inactive nurse aides may not be aware of the best practices that are currently in place at medical facilities.
Technology and Documentation Have Changed
The technology used in nursing homes, hospitals and long-term care facilities has changed significantly in recent years, and documentation protocols have been put in place in most medical environments. Nurse aides and CNAs who have not been practicing will need to become familiar with the leading industry tools and learn how to document patient healthcare data in a way that improves communication and protects patient privacy.
Skills That Feel Rusty Are Skills That Can Be Relearned
When you haven't used some of your nursing aide skills in a while, you may not feel as confident. Rest assured, though, that those skills are not lost. You can relearn them, but a bit of focused training will help you regain the core competencies needed to work as a nurse aide again.
Age and Employment Restrictions
As standards and protocols have changed, some healthcare facilities have updated the age and employment eligibility criteria for nurse aides. Many people often ask, can you be a nursing assistant or CNA in high school? In Nebraska, the minimum age to work as a nurse aide is 16 years old, but nurse aides under the age of 18 may have restrictions in place about what tasks they can complete on the job.
Registry Expirations, Gap Years and Lack of Hours
Depending on how long it has been since you were last employed as a nurse aide, you may find specific criteria have changed. Nurse aides need to complete direct patient care hours and maintain an active status on the registry to practice.
Why the Refresher Course Is the Right First Move, Not Just the Exam
Technically, all you need to do to reactivate your status is successfully pass the written and clinical exams. However, it's highly recommended that you enroll in the NA or CNA refresher course before you schedule your exam date.
The Refresher Course Is Designed Specifically for This Situation
This course was intentionally built for nurse aides who are no longer active on the state registry and who want to become eligible to work as a nurse aide once again. It is a self-paced online course that reviews the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to recertify as an NA or CNA. At the end of the course, students complete a practice exam, helping them effectively prepare for the competency testing.
Self-Paced Online Format Fits the Life of a Returning Student or Young Professional
The online format of the refresher course lets busy students fit their studies around their existing lives. You are free to enroll in the course and complete the requirements at a time and place that is convenient for you, making this a manageable option no matter what stage of life you are in.
Unlimited Access to All Course Materials
Throughout the entire course, you will have unlimited access to PowerPoints, key terms and content needed to pass the written examination. In addition, you will always be able to access the procedural videos that highlight the skills covered during the competency portion of the exam.
What the Full NA or CNA Reactivation Process Looks Like at Nebraska Medical College
Nebraska Medical College (NMC) provides targeted support for nurse aides who want to reactivate their registry status and begin pursuing work as a nursing assistant once again. In addition to providing nursing assistant programs for high school students, NMC offers an NA refresher course for those whose activation status has lapsed.
Step 1: Register for and Complete the Online NA Refresher Course
If you are no longer active on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry, you can begin moving forward by registering for NMC's NA Refresher Course. This online, self-paced course provides you with the materials you need to improve your skills and prepare for the competency exams.
Step 2: Register for the Written Competency Exam
After you have completed the course, you can register for the written competency exam. The written exam covers key terms, facility protocols and best practices, ensuring that you are familiar with the scope of the nurse aide role.
Step 3: Register for the Skills Competency Exam
You also will need to take the skills competency exam. The clinical exam confirms that you have the practical abilities needed for direct patient care. You can take both the written and clinical exams on the same day.
Step 4: Pass Both Exams and Reactivate Your Nebraska Registry
Once you have passed both exams, you are able to reactivate your Nebraska registry and pursue employment opportunities as a nurse aide or CNA in the state.
What Comes After Reactivation? NMC's Pathways Forward
Once your NA status has been reactivated, you can begin building upon your foundation and accelerating your healthcare career. You can use this credential as a stepping stone to more advanced academic credentials at NMC.
Use Your Active NA or CNA Status to Get Clinical Work While You Study
One of the most significant advantages of being an active nurse aide while studying nursing is that you can gain direct patient care hours while you are completing your studies. This allows you to stack program requirements while immediately applying your newfound knowledge in real-world healthcare environments.
LPN Certificate: The Next Step Up in Nursing
The next natural step forward is to earn your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate. This one-year program lets you gain the skills and knowledge needed to take the NCLEX-PN exam.
BSN: The Full Nursing Degree
If you are focused on long-term growth and development, you may want to invest in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This four-year undergraduate degree features a comprehensive nursing curriculum that emphasizes clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills.
RN to BSN: For Those Who Pursue RN Licensure First
Those who are licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN) but do not have a BSN degree can choose an accelerated program. The RN to BSN program builds upon a professional nursing foundation and helps nurses earn their BSN credential in a shorter amount of time.
Advance Your Nursing Career With Nebraska Methodist College
Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) specializes in healthcare with programs in nursing, allied health and healthcare management.
NMC offers certificate, undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Discover Our Programs & Certificates
At NMC, you can pursue:
- Refresher Courses & Certificates
- Professional Development