Certified nurse assistant

As the name suggests, a nursing assistant is someone who supports the nursing staffs in healthcare centers. Certified nurse assistants are trained professional that can be found at hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, long-term care facilities and at private practitioners’ offices. Nursing assistants perform a wide range of duties like caring for patients, assisting patients with their daily tasks like eating, bathing and using the restroom. They also have great tolerance for cleanup. It is their duty to care for patients who cannot fully care for themselves. Nursing assistants are also known as nursing aides. They have great people skills and a remarkable sense of humor. Other duties of nursing aides include taking patients to operating room or examining rooms.

At many places, nurse assistants are referred as healthcare workers. Though, nursing assistants are not required to have a license like nurses but they do undergo training through programs offered by colleges, medical or technical schools. World renowned organizations like Red Cross also offer regular training programs for nursing aides. Usually, hospitals and healthcare centers prefer certified nursing assistants. The certification can be gained through vocational technical centers, community colleges or nursing colleges. The training is typically of the duration of few weeks to few months. Once the training is over, participants can join a healthcare center and work as nursing assistant.

Nurse assistant certification course covers subjects like infection control, body mechanics, physiology, nutrition, anatomy and communication skills. Participants are also taught about personal care skills. The eligibility criteria for certified nursing assistant differ from state to state and country to country. At some places, the formal training program for nursing aides also involves psychiatric education. This is a job where people learn more on the job. On-the-job instruction by a licensed nurse or an experienced aide can prove very beneficial in learning the nitty-gritty of the job. The training is aided with lectures, workshops, and in-service training.

As far as licensure and certification for nursing aides is concerned, they need to complete a minimum of 75 hours of State-approved training and pass a competency evaluation. Once the participants have cleared the exam, they are known as certified nurse assistants (CNAs). Other qualifications include good health of the aides and soft skills like understanding, patience, emotionally stable, dependable, empathetic and helpful. It is a job for those who love to help others. Certified nursing assistants should have good communication skills and they must be able to work as part of a team.

Though, there is growing demand for CNAs because of rising healthcare industry and requirement for quality healthcare professionals but chances of advancement are quite limited. The reason is lack of formal education and training. To enter other health occupations, one must get additional training and acquire license. However, certified nurse assistants can always upgrade their skills and make a career as licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, and medical assistant etc. Nursing aides usually work in entry level jobs. With experience they can move onto other career choices in healthcare industry.

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