Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) assist in caring for injured, sick, physically or mentally handicapped, or infirm people – usually in public or private hospitals, nursing homes, or mental health facilities. The position, while not glamorous, is an important part of the overall medical care system, as CNAs help relieve the burden of nurses, freeing them up to work on more pressing medical concerns for patients.
Nursing assistants are alternatively referred to as orderlies, hospital attendants, or nurse aids. The type of care that they provide is very hands-on, and typically consists of routine daily tasks that would otherwise have to be performed by medical and nursing staff. Certified Nursing Assistants generally help with patients’ day-to-day needs, including helping them to eat, bathe, and dress themselves. They are also often called upon to help with housekeeping matters, such as serving meals, making beds, and cleaning rooms.
In some medical settings CNAs are more involved in the actual medical care of patients. They may be tasked with checking a patient’s vital signs (their pulse, respiration rate, temperature, and blood pressure). Certified nursing assistants are also frequently responsible for helping to transport patients — assisting them in getting out of bed and walking, or pushing them in a wheelchair or hospital bed. They may also assist other medical staff in setting up and configuring medical equipment necessary to conduct examinations or other procedures.
Nursing assistants also need to have keen observational skills, as they may have more frequent interaction with patients in some medical settings than nursing staff or physicians. In these instances, CNAs are often encouraged to report on patient demeanor and behavior. Because of their close contact with patients, it is helpful for nursing aids to be patient and understanding people. Often, they develop a close personal bond with those they assist.
CNA Training Options
CNA training is available in many high schools, professional or technical schools, medical care establishments, and community or junior colleges. The required course of study usually encompasses human physiology and anatomy, proper nutrition, proper sanitary methods to prevent possible infections, patient rights, and communication. CNA students are also taught about how to assist patients in bathing themselves, how to help them eat, etc. Some hospitals may mandate prior work history as an unlicensed nursing assistant / home health aide.
CNA training continues after being hired, as most employers also provide some form of extended classroom training. In addition to the classroom setting, nearly all facilities will insist upon a brief hands-on instruction period, where the newly hired CNA will work directly with a nurse or a senior member of the nursing assistant team to learn their policies and procedures. While these instruction periods typically range from 1-week to 1-month in length, some hospitals may have extended programs lasting several months. CNAs also have occasional “refersher” training sessions or workshops to make sure they stay current with their job-related knowledge.
If you are interested in working in certain types of facilities – notably nursing homes and hospitals – you must complete official CNA training. CNA training is typically at least 75-hours in length, and follows a State-mandated curriculum. At the conclusion of your course of study, you will be required to pass an exam / evaluation. It is possible that your State will have additional criteria that must be completed in order to become a CNA — make sure you check with the State board to ensure you have done everything required. Any reputable CNA school should be able to inform you of this information as well. After successful completion of a CNA training course, you will officially be a certified nursing assistant – ready to work in hospitals, nursing homes, or patients’ homes.