Want to become a nurse but have little time for college? Stop looking – becoming a CNA may be best for you. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification is a fast and easy approach to learning skills to be a CNA.
CNAs provide basic care in schools, nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, as well as assisted living facilities. They may bathe, feed, treat wounds, record vital signs like blood pressure and temperature, track food and water intake, drive patients to meetings or treatments, use medical supplies, and help patients walk.
Nurses and doctors may use certified nursing assistant during tests and treatments. They may also assist patients cope with difficult situations during treatment or surgery. CNAs don’t tell doctors what’s wrong with a patient, but they report changes to the right individuals.
As per Statista, Employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is expected to grow at an average pace of 4% from 2022 to 2032.
This path gets you into health care quickly and gives you many opportunities to progress in nursing and other disciplines.
Roles of CNA
Various nursing assistant roles exist. To give direct medical treatment, nurses aid certified nursing assistants. Among other names, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) helps with patient care. Coordination between patients, nurses, and CNAs is essential in-patient care. They do several physically demanding things. Here we will discuss about the roles of CNA.
Their roles may include the following:
- Turning ill people on and off
- Reconciling medical equipment
- Individuals engaging in bathing
- While grooming, one may brush one’s hair, teeth, shave, etc.
- Substantiating and monitoring caloric and food consumption
- Constantly checking the patient’s vitals, such as blood pressure and heart rate
- Taking calls from patients
- Data recording
- Making bed and changing sheet sets
- Stowing away
- Providing support for healthcare procedures
- Important safety advice
- Getting individuals around
- Quickly mending wounds
A variety of settings have different criteria and responsibilities for licenced nursing assistants. On the other hand, professional nursing assistants are responsible for carrying out critical tasks that ensure the health and safety of hospital residents. The care and pleasure of patients depend on checking their vital signs and keeping them clean.
Work roles may vary because each state has various CNA obligations.
Related Article:- CNA vs. Patient Care Technician
Duties Of CNA
Some of your other duties as a CNA may be different from meeting a patient’s basic wants. Which ones you need will depend on the patient’s health, the needs of the workplace, and the type of care you are allowed to give.
Among their main duties are:
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- Helping with daily tasks:
ADLs include cleaning, grooming, going to the toilet, eating, and moving are CNAs’ core duties.
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- Giving people food and helping them eat
Making sure that people get the right nutrition may involve doing things like grocery shopping, cooking, and, in some cases, helping them eat.
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- Getting people up and moving
If a patient cannot move safely into a bed, wheelchair, or exam table, the CNA must be able to do it for them. For bedridden people, this could mean turning or moving them to make them more comfortable and keep them from getting bedsores.
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- Taking measurements of vital signs
CNAs often check a patient’s temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. They write down their results and then tell a doctor what they found so they can decide what to do next.
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- Make sure the surroundings stay clean and germ-free
In a day, this could mean changing dirty sheets, cleaning up messes, changing bedpans, setting up equipment, and keeping the patient’s living space free of germs and infections.
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- Making patient care easier
Because you see the patient every day, you can spot bruises, blood in the urine, and other injuries and tell them to the medical staff so that they can start care.
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- Having conversations with the medical staff and family
Whether at a hospital or a private home, patients, nurses, and doctors should be able to discuss their issues. Home care workers may interact with family members who help care for patients.
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- Giving people company and friendship
Since you will spend a lot of time with afraid, angry, and depressed patients, you must understand and support them.
In every job role, responsibility is an essential thing. Above all are the responsibilities of a certified nurse assistant.
Related Article:- What does a Certified Nursing Assistant do?
How To Become A CNA?
If anyone want to work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), the first and most important thing is the educational requirements you need to think about. These steps are required to become a nursing assistant:
1. Get your high school diploma
To work as a nursing aide, you must first finish high school. If needed, you can also get a GED. You can train to be a nursing assistant without a college degree by following these steps.
2. Enroll in state-approved CNA training.
If you have a high school diploma or GED, you can join a program your state allows to become a nursing assistant. You can get to these programmes through the following channels:
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- Colleges for community
Most community college nursing assistant programmes are six to sixteen weeks and provide foundational knowledge you may use in your work. Typically, these programmes include flexible scheduling options, allowing students to select between day, evening, or weekend classes. Some even offer online or hybrid programmes that combine traditional and online classes.
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- Trade or vocational schools
Vocational institutions typically provide programmes for licenced nursing assistants that combine classroom instruction with practical experience. These curricula often address topics including anatomy and physiology, nutrition, hygiene, basic nursing, and how to prevent infections.
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- In hospitals
Hospital nursing assistant curricula emphasise practical care and move quickly. These courses typically run four to eight weeks, during which time you will begin working with patients in an actual healthcare environment.
3. Finish practical training in person
According to federal regulations, nursing assistant training programmes must provide a minimum of 75 hours of classroom teaching. Many states, meanwhile, go above and beyond this minimal requirement. States also require several hours of supervised practical training and classroom teaching. As part of this training, you will have the chance to work under a registered nurse and deal with patients, helping them get better and with their care while working with other clinical staff.
4. Pass the state CNA exam
After completing a state-approved nursing assistant training programme including all classroom and clinical hours, you can take the CNA exam. This degree may fascinate employers, which can help you stand out in the job market. This certificate helps you advance in nursing.
5. Decide where to work
After getting CNA certification anyone can select CNA as a career. Hospice and long-term care institutions, hospitals, and clinics employ nurses who provide patient care. To better comprehend the numerous healthcare settings, visit each one and experience its culture and atmosphere.
6. Get your application papers ready
A great CV and cover letter might help you stand out from the competition. Both can show possible employers what training and skills you have. You can look at job descriptions for open nursing assistant roles and use the keywords they use in your resume and cover letter, even if you need to gain experience.
It would help if you looked for ways to show that you’ve learned those skills in other jobs or through school. Make sure you make a resume that is unique for each job application.
7. Apply for jobs
You should look for open nursing assistant positions in your area once you have completed creating your cover letter and resume. Please submit your application with a recently updated CV and a cover letter summarising your qualifications for the position. Consider looking at ads on social media, professional networking sites, or the jobs pages of hospital websites. You can also use the services of a career center, which has many tools to help you look for work.
8. Consider specialisation or continuing education
As long as you work as a CNA, keep up with any classes you must take. CNAs must get 48 hours of continuing education every two years in some places. Check with your state’s nursing board for exactly what they need.
As your career progresses, you ought to consider seeking employment that better aligns with your interests. Choosing to work just in hospitals or with children as a licenced nursing assistant is one example. The nursing profession includes nurse practitioner, registered nurse, and licenced practical nurse. RNs give all care, LPNs handle basic nursing, while NPs specialise in advanced practice, evaluation, and treatment.
Related Article:- Most Common Jobs for CNAs
Key Takeaways
We discussed how to become a certified nursing assistant in the context of this blog post. CNAs give greater care than nurses since they spend more time at patients’ bedsides. Within the healthcare system, certified nursing assistants assist registered nurses in doing their more difficult tasks.
Becoming a nurse can result from working as a certified nursing assistant. Patients will welcome your presence because nursing assistants are in demand.
Begin your journey in healthcare with AIHT Education’s esteemed Certified Nursing Assistant training program in Connecticut. Our expert-led training provides the foundation for a fulfilling career. Contact us to learn more about our CNA course offerings.
FAQs
1) What’s the fastest you can become a CNA?
Training should prepare students to take the state certification exam and become licensed or certified nursing assistants between four to eight weeks.
2) What is the qualification of a nursing assistant?
Unlike other nurses, nursing assistants don’t need degrees. Technical, community, or vocational schooling is required.
3) How can I become a CNA in Connecticut?
Connecticut CNAs must pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam. Inquire with the Department of Public Health in Connecticut.
4) Do I need a degree to become a CNA?
High school or GED and a transcript are required for most LNA programs. Some schools and programs need entrance tests and criminal background checks.
5) What qualifications do you need to be a certified nursing assistant?
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to complete a CNA training and pass a competency exam in most states. State restrictions differ, so candidates should verify their qualifications.
