i got ccna certificate one year ago, but my experience with cisco stuff goes for 5+ years.
the importance of such certificates comes from the fact that it is a good tool to prove your capability in that scope.
today, in networking related jobs, cisco certs are the most respected one.
ccna track consists of two courses ICND1 and ICND2, which covers basic networking topics such as security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts, EIGRP. rip, ospf, switching, vlans, ACLs,...

HOW To get certified:

• get the right resources ( text books, CBTs)
• do as many simulated labs as much you can, good way to do this by using dynamips which is an IOS emulator, this emulator grants a real IOS devices experience , learn more about Dynamips.
• set exam date, the only registered examinar for all cisco certificates is Pearson vue, to find more info click here.