What is a Certified Nurse Assistant

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is generally someone who assists patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL). There are many job titles that are used by various organizations, employers, and countries for the position widely referred to as CNA. These job titles include Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP), Nurse Aide (NA), Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA), Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), or orderlies amongst other many similar job titles. A CNA works under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or under a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

CNA’s Roles

If you care to find out What is a Certified Nurse Assistant then check out the typical work day of a CNA. The average work day of a CNA will involve duties such as turning and repositioning bedridden patients and making sure patients are comfortable. The CNA will respond to patient calls, make sure patients eat their meals, monitor patient’s vital signs, assist patients with their exercise regiments, change and clean bed linens. In short, the CNA’s duties comprise anything that will help the patient fulfill his/her basic quality of life needs.

CNAs Work Environment

Most CNAs end up working in long term care facilities which normally provide custodial care and rehabilitative care. Another common employer of CNAs are the assisted living patients, general hospitals, outpatient services, health clinics, community health centers, doctor’s offices, and private patients in their own homes. CNAs will usually work 40 hours each week but due to high demand for their services, most end up working double shifts or working more than one job. Due to the nature of the job, it demands round the clock shiftwork and CNAs commonly work during weekends and over the holidays.

CNA Job Requirements

The accredited training programs for CNAs last anywhere between 4 and 30 weeks. The training programs result in a diploma or certificate of completion. To enroll in such program, one needs to be a high school graduate or have a GED. The programs are offered by the American Red Cross, community colleges, high schools, vocational colleges, hospitals, and other health care institutions. The training consists of classroom theory and practical on-the-job training. For best preparation, it is advisable for a candidate to regularly make use of available CNA Pretest.

Necessary Skills and Qualities of a CNA

To be able to move patients and quickly react to situations, a CNA needs to be in good physical shape. CNAs need to have great communication skills in order to communicate well with other members of the multi-disciplinary medical/healthcare team, patients, and relatives of patients. A CNA needs to be always punctual, dependable, not afraid to get their hands dirty, and very hardworking. An empathetic demeanor and a strong genuine desire to help others is a must.

CNA Job Outlook

CNAs are in growing demand and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth of 20% in the demand of CNA resulting in at least 300,000 new jobs in the US between the years 2010 and 2020. The median pay for CNAs currently stands at about $11.60 per hour but these rates vary by location, specialty, skill level, and employer. If you are interested in pay scales for CNAs in your area and To learn more about Certified Nursing Assistant Duties and Responsibilities you can read this article.