A CNA is certified nursing assistant. The CNA industry is an ever-growing field and will always been demand. With the ever-increasing aging population, this is a stable position to look into. Many individuals become a "nursing assistant" for many reasons. Some simply like the field, others use their time as a CNA as a stepping stone to get into more advanced careers in the medical industry. Many RNs start out as CNAs. One thing a person must have to be a CNA is empathy. Empathy will serve to lessen the stress of those who have been placed in your care.
CNAs are usually employed at a hospitals, nursing home, mental health facilities, assisted living facilities and some work directly inside the patient's home. A nursing assistant works directly under a nurse, who will instruct the assistant in their daily work details. There are many different titles that you may have heard such as, patient care technicians, home health aides, orderlies and nurses' aides - all of these titles are the same as a CNA and carry the same duties.
A CNA will spend a majority of their time with patients and the duties include examining vital signs, feeding patients, provide grooming, bathing and helping nurses with different types of medical equipment. A CNA is also responsible for giving patients social as well as emotional support - empathy definitely plays key here. A nurse assistant will also need to relay any important information about patients' health or condition to the nurse.
To train as a certified nursing assistant, you will need to receive formal yet short education. Working for the sick, injured and elderly can be very demanding and one needs to understand the basics of basic-care. Before entering a training program, one must first have either a high school diploma or GED. If you have proof of education then you will be able to attend a course that is 6-12 weeks long. The CNA certificate program can be taken a community college, trade school, or medical facility.
The training consists of learning about the basics of anatomy and physiology, the fundamentals of nursing skills, nutrition, and infection management. Not only will you learn from text books, you will also receive hands on training. Once training is completed you will take the certification exam, yet this does depend on what state you are located in as policies on CNA certification varies from state.
After completing all training and certification you are ready to work. The average entry-level CNA earns salary somewhere between $19, 000 - $29, 000 per year. The more years of experience you have and tenure at your employer you can expect pay increases. Higher paid nursing assistant can earn an average of $35,000.
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