A lot of people search for this question. Being a certified nursing assistant or CNA has become an intriguing career option for many. These professionals play a key role in medical fields and get paid well.

As the name implies, CNA works under the supervision of Registered nurses. If you are thinking about becoming a certified nursing assistant it is important to know the basic requirements, job description, and perks.

Excellent People Skills Are A Must Have

Other than attending the best CNA classes, a nursing assistant must have excellent people skills as you will be acting as a bridge between patients and nurses. It is a highly demanding job as you have to identify the needs of the patient and communicate with them. It is one of the most fundamental skills as it encompasses your persona and allows you to work well with others.

A good bedside manner is crucial guaranteeing that the patients remain comfortable. They make sure that the nurse and doctors get the exact information they need to address medical concerns.

CNA Training And Education

If you want to become a certified nursing assistant you don’t need to have a bachelor’s degree. All you need to do is to complete online training courses in ACLS and PALS. They can be as short as 3 weeks. Most of the courses include clinical trials where the aspirants are tested in a real medical setting.

You can opt for more than one courses but you must take a state-required exam to begin the job. It is essential to ascertain your competency.

Job Outlook And Advancement

The best thing about CNA training is that you train in subjects closely related to basic nursing principles. A lot of people completing the CNA training choose to continue training to become certified nurses. The basic knowledge enables them to complete the courses much more easily.

The outlook for assistant nursing is good but there is always a chance of advancement. If you are concerned about the demand for the job, you don’t need to worry. The demand for CNA is increasing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are needed to take care of the patients.

The Work Environment

Government facilities are the biggest employers of certified nursing assistants. There are job opportunities in government and private hospitals. CNAs are also required in senior nursing homes and care centers.

At times they have to work in residential settings for senior citizens. The work environment can vary from hospitals to nursing homes. Wherever they are working, assistant nurses need to be compassionate and helpful to the people.

Work Hours

It is a demanding job. As the health facilities are working 24/7, the working hours of nursing assistants are divided into shifts. It is like doctors and registered nurses. You will find yourself working at the odd hours, weekends and holidays depending on the circumstances.

Salary

CNAs have a median hourly rate of $13.72 within the United States. Wages can increase as the experience of the person. The salaries also vary according to the facility you are working in.

The Responsibilities Of A CNA

It is time to get into the details of the responsibilities of CNA’s. They are often tasked to do the following.

  • They answer patient calls and based on visits, determine basic patient needs. This also includes cleaning the bed sheet, changing bandages, sanitizing the bed area. Repositioning bedridden patients is also a crucial part of the job.
  • Helping patients with daily activities such as bathing, exercising, standing, dressing, and using the toilet.
  • Assist in ensuring proper diet. Reviewing the dietary restrictions and food preferences. They may also be responsible for preparing patient food and feeding them.
  • Their duties include keeping track of medicine intake.
  • They record vital signs of the patient such as blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature, and respiration rate, under the guidance of the nursing staff.
  • Interviewing and communicating to find out vital information for diagnosis and possible treatments.
  • Observe patient’s changes in symptoms and conditions.
  • Assisting patients with little or no mobility.
  • Transporting patients and biological materials from one place to another.
  • They are also responsible for preparing medical equipment for use.