What is cna

The daily direct contact you have with a patient also gives you the opportunity to identify bruises, blood in urine, and other injuries and report them to medical staff who can initiate care. Communicating with healthcare team and family members. Whether you work at a facility or in a private home, you serve as a channel between patients and nurses and physicians so that all patient issues are communicated.

Providing companionship and friendship. The Physical Part of the Job. Most CNA jobs involve a significant amount of physical activity and work. Learning proper body mechanics and physical techniques is part of your education. Most states test your ability to move patients and perform specific tasks in your certification exam. Some hospitals and nursing homes offer CNA classes to new employees, which you may be able to take for free and save on training.

Training is often available at community colleges, vocational and technical schools, and through organizations like the American Red Cross. The CNA governing body in your state, usually the board of nursing or the health department, can provide comprehensive information on the exact criteria you must meet to work as a certified nursing assistant. For instance, some states require a criminal background check. Nursing assistants account for over one-third of the nursing home workforce, according to the U.

If you have an interest in a specific area of care, earning a specialty or advanced credential can expand your skills and increase your marketability in your job search. Options for CNA certification can vary by state.

Rarely nursing assistants will work in clinical settings, but that doesn't happen very often. Depending on where you live there may be different facilities hiring CNAs to help take on care tasks for patients. CNAs have fairly limited healthcare duties partly because the educational requirements to become a certified nursing assistant are not as rigorous as other medical professions. Nursing assistants are the entry-level positions in a hospital or care facility, so the education and certification requirements tend to be less intensive than other health professionals, such as nurses.

CNA educational requirements vary by state, but often include a state-approved training program. This can be offered at a high school, community college, vocational school, or even at a hospital. These CNA classes are typically weeks long and detail how to care for patients, basic medical skills, and important ethical and moral understanding.

There may be in-person or hands-on skill elements to help students be prepared for actually working with patients as well. Again, different states will have unique requirements for the nursing assistant certification process. However, this often includes a written or oral exam, as well as a demonstration exam where students show their ability to perform certain tasks. This licensing is critical as it will be required for students to apply and be accepted for certain jobs.

This licensing also ensures you have the knowledge and skills to work with real patients. This exam contains two parts, a written and oral exam, and must be passed to become licensed in many states. This is an entry-level position and is often ideal for those just starting out working or those considering a future in nursing.

The location where you work will play a large role in how much money you will make as well. While becoming a CNA is a great job opportunity in and of itself, for many a CNA role is a stepping stone toward a career in nursing or other healthcare areas.

Those interested in a healthcare career may start out as a CNA to make sure they enjoy patient care, and to start learning how to interact with patients. For those who start out as a CNA and really enjoy working with patients, their work as a CNA will help them gain practical skills and experience, preparing them to become a nurse. As a vital part of a larger care team, Certified Nursing Assistants help patients with a wide range of basic needs, including eating, bathing, grooming, mobility and more.

Certified Nursing Assistants commonly work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or other medical professional. As Certified Nursing Assistants gain experience and training, they may take on additional responsibilities, including dispensing medicine. Certified Nursing Assistants must complete a state-approved certificate program before entering the workforce. The requirements for these programs vary from state to state, but most involve classroom learning, hands-on training and on-the-job training.

Candidates must also take and pass a competency exam.