What is a CNA?

CNA stands for certified nursing assistants. CNAs are also commonly referred to as direct care workers because of their role in assisting and working with patients who need long-standing care. They are also known as geriatric aides, nurse aides, nursing assistants, hospital aides, orderlies and caregivers. They usually have no medical background before training. They come from all walks of life and some even have previous educational degrees and just want additional training and skills.

CNAs normally assist registered nurses with patient care. CNAs also perform basic medical and patient care services such as monitoring vital signs, provide hands-on care and perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. They also answer calls for help, make beds, serve meals, bathe and clean the patient, deliver messages, and tidy up rooms. They are sometimes responsible for taking a patient’s temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, or blood pressure. They also assist patients with daily activities such as getting in and out of bed, escorting and walking them. If the CNAs have free time and are not so busy, they can also assist the hospital staff with storing and moving medical supplies, setting up medical equipment, and helping with some other procedures. Since they work closely with the patients, they are also in a good position to observe patients’ overall state and may report the patients’ physical, emotional and mental states to the nursing or medical staff.

Some tasks of a CNA can also be nasty. They may perform tasks that some may consider unpleasant, such as emptying and cleaning bedpans and changing soiled and dirty bed linens. The patients they care for may be disoriented, short-tempered, or difficult. This is usually the case when you are assigned with an elderly patient. But these are all part of CNA’s job description and some even find this to be challenging. They must also be prepared to care for patients who can be violent at times. Most Certified Nursing Assistants work around 40 hours per week but in some cases, since most patients need care 24 hours daily, they also evenings, weekends and holidays.

If you are interested to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, there are certain CNA classes you can take. There are classes currently being offered in some nursing care facilities, colleges and universities, vocational centers, medical schools and some community colleges. Qualifications vary from state to state. In most cases, a high school diploma is required before you can undergo CNA classes and training. Courses cover nutrition, anatomy and physiology, infection control, body mechanics, and communication skills. Personal care skills are also taught. They would also be taught how to assist patients with good grooming and even how to eat and take a bath.