You’re a dedicated, hardworking individual that wants to begin a career in medicine. Perhaps you’ve just graduated high school, or are a veteran of the work force who’s considering a career switch. Regardless of whether it’s your ultimate career goal, or just a stepping stone for related aspirations, getting a CNA certificate is the way to go. Below, we’ve put a resource together to give you great information on Certified Nursing Assistants; the typical CNA job description, how much they make, and how to pass any licensing requirements that your particular state requires (for a description of other types of nursing assistants, see here).
The certified nursing assistant works under the supervision of a registered nurse. Generally, there is a nurses’ supervisor who then runs the show for them. In contrast, while many people perceive doctors to have an authoritative role over nurses, the both professions are supposed to work together as a team to form the appropriate strategy for diagnosis and care for the patient.
This job is considered an entry level position, and therefore you won’t yet be trusted to make any diagnosis or other important health decisions without the direct supervision of the nurse or doctor on duty. You will also need to be dedicated to the idea of helping others; this job can be stressful and thankless at times. However, many nurses describe the job as very rewarding; you’ll know that you’re making countless lives better in the process.
The work schedule is very similar to other jobs in the medical field. You will be expected to work on rotating shifts that may be 12 hours or longer at a time. This will depend on the facility at which you work. Sometimes these shifts can occur during odd hours or holidays. Remember, patients require care and supervision from a CNA or nurse on a 24/7 basis. Regardless of whether it’s you, someone will always need to be around. While the nurse tends to have five to ten patients at a time, their assistants can have up to fifteen or more. A busy day will definitely keep a CNA on their toes.
The patient’s families will often be around as well. Although you won’t be providing and specific diagnoses, you will be communicating a great deal with them. They will need to know if they will have any responsibilities for the health of the patient when they leave your facility.
There are a few different types of places that offer classes tailored to the CNA test. If you’re using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a four year college or university is a great choice. You can obtain your CNA license within the first year, and work as a nursing assistant while you obtain your RN or other medical degree.
If you’re unsure of your future goals, taking the course at a community college is the best option. This tends to be the most popular choice for nursing assistants. Tuition tends to be much lower than at a university, and you can complete the class without committing to four years of coursework. Community colleges often offer a wider range of class times to allow nursing students with a full time job to attend class.
In some rare circumstances, certain healthcare facilities (hospitals and retirement homes) will offer training for their prospective employees on location. You will first need to check if your state allows this as a form of training, and then look into which employers would offer this as an option. It’s certainly not commonplace, but would definitely be worth it to land one of these jobs.
Once you pass the CNA test and the results are filed in the state’s records, you are officially licensed as a CNA. Remember, your certification will only be valid in the state where you passed your exam. If you wish to practice your nursing in a different state, you’d need to re-take that state’s exam before doing so.
Likewise, a nurse’s assistant will be helping people when they are at their most vulnerable. This includes treating bed sores, assisting the patient in going to the bathroom, and changing catheters. This might be considered gross for some. But for those who are truly interested in helping others, it’s a necessary part of the job.
Hopefully this nursing assistant job description is enough to give a clear and accurate view of what it’s like to become a nurse assistant. CNA duties aren’t always glamorous, but for the right person, this position can be interesting, rewarding, and a great launch pad to a great medical career.
What is a CNA?
A CNA, or certified nursing assistant, is exactly as the name implies. They are an assistant to the registered nurse on duty. Many of the CNA duties were designed to allow the nurses to focus their time on higher level activities.The certified nursing assistant works under the supervision of a registered nurse. Generally, there is a nurses’ supervisor who then runs the show for them. In contrast, while many people perceive doctors to have an authoritative role over nurses, the both professions are supposed to work together as a team to form the appropriate strategy for diagnosis and care for the patient.
CNA Job Description
Typically, a CNA is responsible for the day to day care of a group of patients (or residents). This includes making the bed and changing sheets, recording the patient’s vital statistics, delivering meals to the room, answering the patient’s questions, and assisting with any tasks that the patient may not be healthy enough to do on their own. To summarize, the CNA becomes the eyes and ears of the patient, ensuring their comfort by maintaining their living area and passing along any concerns or changing health symptoms to the registered nurse on duty.This job is considered an entry level position, and therefore you won’t yet be trusted to make any diagnosis or other important health decisions without the direct supervision of the nurse or doctor on duty. You will also need to be dedicated to the idea of helping others; this job can be stressful and thankless at times. However, many nurses describe the job as very rewarding; you’ll know that you’re making countless lives better in the process.
The work schedule is very similar to other jobs in the medical field. You will be expected to work on rotating shifts that may be 12 hours or longer at a time. This will depend on the facility at which you work. Sometimes these shifts can occur during odd hours or holidays. Remember, patients require care and supervision from a CNA or nurse on a 24/7 basis. Regardless of whether it’s you, someone will always need to be around. While the nurse tends to have five to ten patients at a time, their assistants can have up to fifteen or more. A busy day will definitely keep a CNA on their toes.
Record Keeping
Certified nursing assistants are expected to maintain proper patient records. They must be detail oriented and be able to notice changes in a patient’s health readings. Obviously, if any of a patient’s medical records were lost, mishandled, or misreported; it would be incredibly dangerous from a health and privacy standpoint.Communication
CNA’s must not only be able to communicate with their RN, but also with their patients and other CNAs. Patients will sometimes need to know what is required of them in order for their stay to run as smoothly as possible. They will need to know how and when to take any medication, how to alert the CNA when they need something, and how to describe their symptoms. Likewise, when a nurse’s assistant ends their shift, they must be able to communicate any changes in their patients’ health conditions to the other CNA beginning their shift.The patient’s families will often be around as well. Although you won’t be providing and specific diagnoses, you will be communicating a great deal with them. They will need to know if they will have any responsibilities for the health of the patient when they leave your facility.
Education Requirements
Not all states require formal education to become a CNA; in fact, a few places allow you to learn on the job! However, the majority of states require what amounts to a semester of coursework at an accredited institution. In addition, most jobs would rather hire someone with the required education rather than spend the time and energy to train them. Once this class is completed and the appropriate skills are acquired, you will most likely need to take a CNA certification test to get your official license. Once you get your CNA license, you can practice as a nursing assistant until the license expires (specific length of licensure will vary by state).There are a few different types of places that offer classes tailored to the CNA test. If you’re using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a four year college or university is a great choice. You can obtain your CNA license within the first year, and work as a nursing assistant while you obtain your RN or other medical degree.
If you’re unsure of your future goals, taking the course at a community college is the best option. This tends to be the most popular choice for nursing assistants. Tuition tends to be much lower than at a university, and you can complete the class without committing to four years of coursework. Community colleges often offer a wider range of class times to allow nursing students with a full time job to attend class.
In some rare circumstances, certain healthcare facilities (hospitals and retirement homes) will offer training for their prospective employees on location. You will first need to check if your state allows this as a form of training, and then look into which employers would offer this as an option. It’s certainly not commonplace, but would definitely be worth it to land one of these jobs.
The CNA Test
Once you complete your required education, you may take the CNA exam. The vast majority of states offer a two part test. The first part involves 75 to 100 multiple choice questions, and the second part is an oral or demonstration section where you will need to demonstrate your acquired CNA skills in a real life environment.Once you pass the CNA test and the results are filed in the state’s records, you are officially licensed as a CNA. Remember, your certification will only be valid in the state where you passed your exam. If you wish to practice your nursing in a different state, you’d need to re-take that state’s exam before doing so.
CNA Salary
According to Indeed.com, the average CNA salary falls around $27,000 per year. Depending on the location and the employer, the pay can be as high as $38,000 to $40,000 per year. More specific information can be found on the salary link at the top of this website.Working Conditions
Most often, a CNA’s job will be done in either a hospital or a retirement home. There are some positions out there where CNA’s will travel to the patient’s home to administer treatment. Travelling to someone’s home can sometimes lead to unpredictable work environments. Some homes are very clean and orderly, while others fall on the messier end of the spectrum. A CNA needs to be courteous and professional in any of these conditions.Likewise, a nurse’s assistant will be helping people when they are at their most vulnerable. This includes treating bed sores, assisting the patient in going to the bathroom, and changing catheters. This might be considered gross for some. But for those who are truly interested in helping others, it’s a necessary part of the job.
Hopefully this nursing assistant job description is enough to give a clear and accurate view of what it’s like to become a nurse assistant. CNA duties aren’t always glamorous, but for the right person, this position can be interesting, rewarding, and a great launch pad to a great medical career.