A CNA or certified nursing assistant is responsible for the care of the patient. The CNA will help the registered nurse look after all of the patient’s needs. As the nursing assistant is not medically qualified they are not allowed administer any medication but this doesn’t mean that they aren’t directly involved in providing care. They must have completed their CPR training so that they can take action if the patient suffers a cardiac arrest. They should also be able to tell when a patient’s condition is deteriorating and extra help is required. Before asking how to become a CNA, you should first consider the daily job duties you will be responsible for.
The day to day activities of a nursing assistant will vary depending on where they work but the most common tasks include:
- Washing and dressing patients, oral and dental care
- Assisting with mobility i.e. helping the patient in and out of bed/chairs etc.
- Monitoring of vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar levels etc.
- Keeping records of their mood, eating habits, sleeping habits, anxiety levels etc.
- Keeping a patient company, reading to them and allaying their fears or anxieties
- If a patient is bedridden, the CNA will move and turn the patient to prevent bedsores.
- Light cleaning including the changing of beds
- Answering calls for assistance, checking on patients and reporting back to medical staff on their condition
- May help families if patient has to undergo a procedure
- If patient dies the CNA will usually be involved in post mortem care
There is a lot more to this job than most people realize and very few nursing assistants follow their job description to the letter. Most will develop relationships with patients who often view the visits from the trained nursing assistant as the highlight of their day.
What type of skills do you need as a certified nursing assistant?
The most important requirement for a CNA is a genuine love for people. In this job you will be dealing with ill people all day long. Dealing with the general public can be challenging enough. But when people are sick, in pain or discomfort and perhaps a little scared, it takes a special type of person to put them at ease. The ability to communicate well and work with other people as part of a team is very important. If you don’t like people, then forget about becoming a CNA.
You need tact and sympathy. You may have to help your patients with intimate tasks such as toileting or dressing and you should always treat the person with respect and consideration. You could be working with people who have forgotten the basic skills of washing and dressing for example Alzheimer’s patients. Or perhaps you are dealing with the physically or mentally disabled. Regardless of who you are working with you will need lots of patience.
You need to be able to remain calm under pressure. You could be nursing individuals who become critically ill very quickly. You need to be able to remain professional and provide the registered nursing and medical team with any assistance they require. If you are alone when the patient becomes very ill you need to be able to assess the patient and monitor their situation. You need to recognize when their health is deteriorating and seek the right assistance.
Why should you undertake CNA training online?
It really doesn’t matter whether you do your CNA training online or in your place of employment, what is important is that you gain your certification. Yes you can work as a nursing assistant without passing your CNA certification exam but taking additional study courses will make you better at your job. You will develop good organizational skills and the ability to think clearly and solve problems while you are going through your CNA training. Having attended CNA classes and passed the exams you should be able to successfully negotiate a pay rise.
How long does it take to become certified nursing assistant?
To become a certified nursing assistant you have to complete 75 hours of training and pass your certification exam before you will be allowed to use the CNA designation.
Why bother investigating CNA programs?
Completion of the certified nursing assistant training will show those you work with that you are a professional and it should prove easier to find the right CNA jobs. You may find that after completing this initial training, you decide to proceed with other qualifications. Some people believe that the best registered nurses were those that initially took CNA classes.
What type of duties does the CNA job involve?
The duties of a nursing assistant will vary to some degree from patient to patient. There can also be differences in what you are allowed to do depending on the where you are working. If you are working in an older peoples care home your duties may include bathing the patients, helping them in and out of bed, accompanying them to routine hospital appointments etc. If you work in a hospital you may get involved with the emotional care of your patients with many CNA qualified staff providing a reassuring presence prior to an operation. They may also speak to family and friends answering routine questions while being careful not to provide any medical advice or opinion.
Where can you find CNA classes?
A big part of becoming a CNA involves your training. CNA classes are available either online or at your place of employment. Some hospitals and nursing centers will pay for the CNA certification exam and associated classes provided you agree to work for them for a certain period of time. This can be an excellent way to achieve your certified nursing assistant training while at the same time earning a salary. If you do not like the idea of being tied to a contract for a minimum period, the Red Cross CNA training might be a good alternative for you to consider.
What type of salary can you earn as a Certified Nursing Assistant?
The answer to this question depends on where you work and what level of qualifications and experience you have. Some states pay better than others. For those with CNA certification, Florida and similar states with a higher percentage of aging residents tend to offer the best compensation packages. If you can vary your experience i.e. have worked in a residential facility, in the community looking after people in their own homes and in a hospital looking after critically ill patients you can probably expect to earn more.
The typical salary averages between $10 – $14 per hour or more with those who work in a hospital facility generally earning the higher end of this scale.
What is the career outlook for those who hold the CNA certification?
With an aging population the outlook for those who have passed their certified nursing assistant training qualifications is very good. Advancements in technology have put other jobs in the medical profession under threat but machines will never be able to replace the human touch required for this particular career. The job itself may become a little easier with the development of specialist equipment such as those designed to help lift patients and prevent bedsores. But a machine will never have the ability to show empathy and understanding to an ill, perhaps elderly and often scared patient.
After you become a nursing assistant you can improve your career prospects by gaining your CNA certification and maintaining your knowledge levels with additional exams and training. Taking CPR classes and developing other first aid skills can only help you find your perfect job.
Does the CNA certification exam lead to any other careers?
Having passed the CNA certification exam you have shown yourself and your colleagues that you are committed to your career. Being professionally qualified is always a good thing as it helps to open up job opportunities. Often people start by gaining their certified nursing assistant qualification before they decide to go on to study to become a nurse. But nursing isn’t the only career path that people with the CNA certification enter. Some will decide to work for the emergency services. Others will decide to take additional qualifications and work in x-ray or other services related to a hospital. Other people will decide to use their medical experience and get involved in medical sales.
Hopefully this guide on how to become a CNA answered any questions you had. We wish you the best of luck on your nursing career journey!
