To provide basic care, a certified nursing assistant helps patients with daily activities as part of their job description.
Moreover, nursing homes, home health care agencies, and hospitals employ the majority of CNAs.
Registered nurses (RNA) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs), both of whom hold the appropriate nursing licenses, ate in charge of supervising them at all times.
The CNA frequently acts as the patient’s primary caregiver. To get a certificate in the certified nursing assistant training program, you must have at least a high school diploma.
However, consider training to become a CNA maybe you are interested in a healthcare career. Keep reading to know more.
READ MORE: What Is a CNA? (With Salary Info and How To Become One)
What Does A CNA Do?
Table of Contents
CNAs have several duties and responsibilities in healthcare facilities. Although it’s an entry-level position in nursing.
It is often a great way to progress to other roles in the healthcare industry. As it works under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Moreover, the CNA role has other names like a nursing assistant, patient care assistant (PCA) or nurse’s aide.
They work in hospitals or long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. These healthcare professionals also make use of their strengths constantly as they often transfer patients from beds to wheelchairs and back again.
Although some CNAs work standard daytime shifts, some work on the things or weekends to give constant coverage for patients.
These nursing professionals work directly with patients and other healthcare professionals to perform many physical and complex tasks for them that include:
- To help patients with their baths and get them dressed.
- Grooming patients by combing their hair, brushing their teeth, or shaving them.
- Also, help patients to eat and drink and track their liquid and food intake.
- You will help them to reposition in bed.
- Transfer patients from a bed to a wheelchair.
- To measure vital signs like blood pressure, and heart rate, and record observations.
- Clean and prepare rooms for new patients.
- Collection and sticking of medical supplies.
- To answer phone calls and patient calls.
- Documentation of patient personal medical information.
- assist the RNA and LPNs with medical and patient safety procedures.
- To take care of their wounds.
Average Salary of A CNA
The average salary of a nursing assistant is $42,162 yearly, though this figure may be higher for those who have the qualifications to be CNAs. Moreover, other factors can affect the salary including their location, experience, facility type, and education.
Some common benefits these professionals can receive include:
- 401(k) matching.
- Flexible spending account.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Paid time off.
- Health savings account.
READ MORE: CNA Career Guide: Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant
Nursing Assistant Skills and Qualifications
To be a nursing assistant you must have many abilities and credentials that include:
- Excellent focus on the details.
- Superb communication in both writing and verbal.
- The capacity to closely read and adhere to instructions.
- Having flexible work assignments and schedules.
- Effective teamwork.
- Having the capacity to move and lift patients.
- Solid clinical knowledge and skill base.
Nursing Assistant Education and Training Requirements
A state-mandated exam must be passed to become a certified nursing assistant. Also, it requires a high school diploma or GED to qualify for a training program. This depends on the length of the program; it can take one to four months to complete. The CNA registry should contain information about Certified Nursing Assistants.
Experience Requirements
They have little to no prior experience because the nursing assistant job is an entry-level position. Moreover, the in-person training required for certification in the nursing programs results in graduates that have some experience.
Certain employers might favor nursing assistants with one year of experience, especially if you want to work with a particular patient, it requires extra care.
However, most of the time, Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses train Nursing Assistants while they are on the job until they are confident enough to carry out their duties.
Training Program for A Certificate in Nursing Assistant
Although the CNA is an entry-level position, you must have the necessary academic preparation and clinical experience to fill the position.
Moreover, many states have requirements that go above and beyond what is required by federal law, certified nursing assistant certificate programs must give at least 75 hours of training.
The training includes at least 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training. Also, make sure your certified nursing assistant certificate training program that complies with the educational requirements set forth by your state for CNAs.
However, for you to avoid choosing a program that doesn’t meet the requirements in your state then check with the nursing board or health department.
The following is the list of what a typical certified nursing assistant certificate training entails, though the program determines its prerequisites and curriculum:
Prerequisites:
- GED equivalent or high school diploma.
- A criminal history checks or entrance examination.
- Duration: 4 to 12 weeks.
Clinical Requirements:
Your entire certified nursing assistant training program time consists of both classroom time and clinical experience. Moreover, the state regulations establish minimal standards for each category.
A six-week certified nursing assistant training, and program with 120 hours of instruction, for example, you will have four weeks of classroom instruction and two weeks of classroom instruction and two weeks of clinical practice.
Certification
Following completion of a certified nursing assistant training and program, you must have the certificate or license in your state to be employed as a CNA.
The step is important for your career because only CNAs listed on state registries are permitted to work in Medicare, nursing homes and Medicaid facilities.
Moreover, most states demand that potential CNAs pass the competency test that is given in the testing facilities run by outside organizations all over the state.
However, 20 states have the option to use the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program (NNAAP), an exam created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), even though each state is free to use its own though each state is free to use its own CNA competency test.
READ MORE: How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Conclusion
Certified nursing assistants help to range of patients with various needs increase in medical facilities. Young or old, and most likely in the recovery phase following the operation or illness, their patients can be. Maybe you are considering a career in medicine but are unsure of where to begin, becoming a CNA is a great starting point.
