What is required from nursing assistants concerning their practice to ensure their competence upon certification renewal?

To maintain competence upon certification renewal, nursing assistants are required to demonstrate that they have actively engaged in their professional practice. Specifically, completing a minimum of 160 hours of practice within the last two years is a standard requirement. This hands-on experience is crucial as it ensures that nursing assistants remain familiar with current procedures, technologies, and patient care standards.

Practicing in a real-world, structured healthcare setting allows nursing assistants to apply their skills and knowledge directly, helping them to stay proficient in their duties and responsible for patient care. This requirement reflects the commitment to ongoing professional development and the importance of practical experience in maintaining high standards of care.

While options such as completing a refresher course and documenting volunteer hours can be beneficial to a nursing assistant's career, they are not universally mandated for certification renewal in the same way that consistent practice hours are. Only the specific obligation to practice a minimum number of hours directly validates a nursing assistant's active engagement in the field and their ongoing competence.