Senator Ward highlights the need for online nurses-aid training
(HARRISBURG)–Senator Judy Ward’s bill to allow certain components of nurse-aide training to be conducted online was unanimously approved on September 29, 2021 by the state Senate.
“While learning has traditionally taken place in a bricks-and-mortar classroom, times have changed,” Senator Ward said. “We’ve all seen the increased role that online education plays in learning. We need to update the current program requirements for nurse aide training to give individuals the ability to take courses online in satisfying the theory and lab portions of their instruction.”
Senate Bill 729 would authorize online delivery for the classroom and theory components of the state-approved certified nurse-aide (CNA) training program and blended delivery for the lab or clinical component of the training. The state-approved nurse-aide training program is currently comprised of at least 120 hours of in-class and clinical training.
“This revision allows more individuals who have an interest in being a CNA to consider it by taking classes online and help address a long-standing labor shortage issue that the nursing home industry has been facing,” Senator Ward said. “Online instruction offers individuals the flexibility of taking classes on their own schedule and the convenience of completing assignments from home.”
The bill that now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Cheryl Schriner