The role of a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is to assist licensed nurses in the daily care of patients. While licensed nurses provide medications, treatments and procedures. CNAs provide help with daily needs such as vital signs, bathing, feeding and getting the patients whatever they need to be comfortable. Certified nursing assistant training is available online for those who are interested, and can lead to a fulfilling medical career helping patients recover from illness. Although a CNA must be aware of the actual procedures that a nurse performs, their duties are limited to personal care and collecting data on a patient and reporting back to the nurse they are assigned to.
Job Responsibilities
- Attend to patient’s basic needs like lifting, turning, feeding, bathing and changing.
- Record patient’s food and drink intake.
- Take and record patient’s vital signs and report them to the nurse.
- Assist a patient when he needs to get out of bed, walk or exercise.
- Prep a patient for surgery or examination.
- Move patients from their room to surgery using a gurney or a wheelchair.
- Make up hospital beds, change the sheets and tidy up rooms.
- Documentation of daily duties performed in patient charts.
Skills Needed
It’s not a job for someone who is frail and balks at cleaning up messes. A CNA is expected to be observant, physically strong, patient, intelligent, and truly care for a patient’s well-being and comfort even when an obstinate patient tests their patience and endurance. A CNA also must be capable of flexibility because the hours and the assignments can be unpredictable. You should also have a good grasp on personal care, body processes, feeding requirements, skin care and utmost professionalism.
Education and Certification
Aside from being a high school graduate, an aspiring CNA must take an eight-week-150-hour training course provided by community colleges, adult schools and in-house hospital courses. There are also certified nursing assistant education opportunities online that are available via distance learning. You must also have three weeks or 75 hours of clinical experience on a hospital floor. Most schools do the coursework and the clinical portion together.
After you complete your coursework and clinical hours you will need to take a Certified Nursing Certification Examination accepted by your state. There are various exams given by the National Nursing Association or the Department of Health prior to getting a certificate to work as a CNA. These consist of skills testing, communication testing (verbal and written), medical terminology and knowledge of anatomy and body processes. The exams will run for around six hours with same day results commencing with a certification that will be sent via mail.
Before you can take your exam to start your career as a CNA, you’ll need to pay a fee. This fee varies from state to state. Also, after you receive certification you will be required to work at least 300 hours in the first months after certification to make your certification valid.
Becoming a certified nursing assistant means you’ll need to take classes to keep up with the industry. For a CNA to continue growing at the profession and retain their certification, the nursing board requires a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education that can be taken anytime on a yearly basis. Many hospitals and colleges in fact offer this to CNAs every time there’s something new to learn that will impact hospital practices and patient care.
Salary and Job Growth Opportunities
CNAs earn anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 depending on the state, type of facility and work experience. This position is in high demand since the need for patient caregivers is increasing. CNA jobs are expected to increase 18% through the year 2018. You can find jobs in hospitals, surgery centers, rehabilitation units, long-term care facilities and home health agencies.
This is a great entry-level position into the medical field and if you are interested in becoming a nurse, this is a great place to start. It is also a great position to have on your resume and in many schools a pre-requisite for full fledged nursing programs.
Landing a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant is a great opportunity to help people who are ill and a great way to get your foot in the door for a possible nursing career. Although physically demanding, it is rewarding to be able to help those in need of comfort during times of illness. CNAs have the exciting opportunity to meet and work with great people and make a difference in the lives of others.