Certified Nursing Assistant Guide
The health care industry is run by more than just doctors. It takes a whole team of dedicated individuals, including nurses, technicians, and assistants, to make the system work. One of the many support positions involved in delivering quality health care is that of a certified nursing assistant. Certified nursing assistants work in hospitals, nursing care and residential facilities, in clinics all over the world, playing an important role in the recovery process for long-term patients with illnesses and injuries, the comfort of patients in their senior years, and the general health and well-being of people.
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, is the health care worker who works to cater to the patient’s day-to-day needs. CNAs perform all the routine tasks needed to patients stay comfortable, safe, and well during their hospital stay, doctor’s visit, or time in any other medical facility. Under the supervision of doctors, nurses, and other professional staff, certified nursing assistants are responsible for making sure patients are fed, dressed, bathed, and exercised. CNAs – also known as nurses’ aides, orderlies, and patient care technicians – also play a large role in keeping hospital or clinic facilities clean, well-stocked, and in functioning order. Additionally, a certified nursing assistant may answer calls for help, monitor patients’ conditions and progress, and may even assist with medical procedures.
Many certified nursing assistants work in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes or senior community centers. Others provide home health and hospice services to private individuals, or work helping patients with varying mental illnesses in psychiatric wards, assisted living facilities, or asylums. Many times, certified nursing assistants become the emotional caregiver to a patient, providing meaningful and positive relationships.
The Typical Workplace
The overwhelming majority of CNAs work in nursing care facilities or hospitals, with some others taking positions in government agencies or outpatient care. In these types of environments, patients need constant, 24-hour care. As a result, most nurses’ aides are required to be very dedicated to their work, with over 75 percent of CNAs working full-time, and many putting in overtime, evening, night, weekend, and holiday hours. The pace can be grueling, as the job involves a great deal of lifting, standing, walking, and other manual labor. However, a focus on making a difference in patients’ lives keeps most CNAs going.
What Does it Take to Become a CNA?
In most states, potential candidates need a high school diploma or GED in order to qualify for a training program. Training can be provided on the job, by an experienced CNA, or in a formal classroom setting. Many employers today pay for classroom training, and courses are available at high schools, community colleges, vocational-technical education centers, as well as some nursing homes.
However, an official college or trade school degree is not usually necessary to become certified; a brief training program prepares most people for their state’s licensing test, though some states do require formal training, workshop, or lecture attendance. Training programs generally teach students the basics of human anatomy and physiology, patient care, and personal care; for example, some sessions may cover proper techniques for bathing and feeding patients, while others emphasize the correct and safe way to lift or carry patients in and out of bed. Check with your state’s Board of Nursing, Department of Health, or Nurse’s Aide Registry for the set of specific certification requirements that best applies to you.
In addition to formal training, certified nursing assistants must have patience, flexibility, physical strength, and compassion in order to do their jobs. As many of the tasks of a CNA are repetitive – or even unpleasant, to many people – it is important that anyone seeking a career as a certified nursing assistant be truly stable, dependable, and deeply concerned about patients’ welfare.
Moving Forward
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of being a certified nursing assistant is that there is little to no room for advancement within the field. In order to move into higher earnings and greater responsibilities, a CNA usually must return to school and earn a higher degree, often in nursing or health care. This can lead to a second career as a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or certified medical assistant.
On the other hand, working as a certified nursing assistant can be a good way to make money while studying for any of the above-mentioned careers, making this entry-level job quite suitable for recent high school graduates or college students.
Preparing for and Handling Safety Concerns on the Job
The physical nature of the job makes CNAs more susceptible to minor on-the-job injuries than most other health care workers. In fact, according to the US Department of Labor, certified nursing assistants and nurses’ aides had the highest incidence of non-life-threatening injuries in 2007, in the top one to two percent of all jobs. Additionally, because of CNAs’ close proximity to sick patients, this job can put workers at risk of infection and disease. As a result, this may not be the ideal position for those with weak immune systems or immune disease. However, proper training and the use of correct techniques and protective wear can prevent most workplace hazards, and keep the careful CNA healthy and productive.
A Growing Field
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that demand for CNA positions will increase by 19 percent by 2018. This growth is faster than average for most US occupations, but not quite as fast as other health care fields. As the American population grows older and lives longer, the need for nursing care and assisted living facilities will increase, leading to a higher need for CNAs to staff them. Also, more and more hospitals are beginning to feel financial pressure to release patients as quickly as possible, which will only feed the rise of nursing homes and home health care. However, since many residential health care facilities are paid for by the government – and government spending cannot be adjusted as quickly as health care costs rise – the coming years won’t see as great a rise in CNA positions as in other jobs in the health care industry.
In summary, working as a certified nursing assistant isn’t for everyone. It takes a great deal of patience and dedication, especially considering the high physical demands, often-stressful hours, and limited opportunities for advancement. But for individuals willing to make the sacrifices, and looking for an entryway position into health care – and especially for those working on building their education resume – the rewards can be worthwhile.