By
Lanee’ Blunt
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Certified nursing assistants (CNA) help provide care to patients in nursing homes, and
hospitals. They provide care for the
elderly, chronically sick, or rehabilitation of patients by assisting them with
everyday living tasks. They work alongside of registered nurses and midwives in
maternity services. You may choose to work in nursing homes, adult day care
facilities, long-term care, as well as hospice care. There will always be a
need for a skilled CNA.
Duties
The
duties include providing basic nursing care for patients. Their job
responsibilities are to clean and bathe patients or residents, observe
patient's behavior and report any health concerns to nurses, help patients use
the toilet and dress them, take vital signs, such as blood pressure and
temperature, reposition, turn and transfer patients to their wheelchairs or
beds. They help patients that cannot feed themselves by feeding patients. They
work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, licensed vocational nurse
(LVN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Education
Certified
nursing assistants programs teach the basic principles of nursing. Most schools
require that you have a high school diploma or GED. In most states the age
requirement is 18 years old to be qualified for certification and employment.
Programs are found in community colleges, the Red Cross has a program, and
vocational schools. Part of a training program will be class room lectures and
theory, and there is a clinical portion of the training where you will take training
in a nursing home and learn from an experienced nurse. Also a nursing student with completion of one
semester of an accredited nursing school program may take the exam.
Certification
After
completing the state-required education, nursing aids take a competency exam. You
will need to take and pass a state competency written examination and clinical
skills test before you receive your certification. When you pass the test it will allow you to
use the state-specific title. In some states the title is called Certified
Nursing Assistant in other states it may be called a nursing aide or attendant.
Once you have passed the test you will be placed on a state registry. Each
state must maintain a Registry and it contains information on whether a person
has their current CNA certificate.
Employers are required to verify the registry when they hire an
applicant.
See also:
Reference:
