Become a CNA and Make a Difference
OH: CNA and AFSCME Council 8 Nurses Come Together for Phone Banks (Photo credit: aflcio)
There are many people thinking of joining the medical profession through the course of caring for people in a personal way. Deciding to become a CNA is a decision that will affect many people. Trained nursing assistants have the opportunity to work in many settings and with a variety of people.
Generally, the decision to become a CNA comes from a desire to help people in a very physical and practical sense. While some CNAs will make a choice to work in potentially fast pace environments such as nursing homes and hospitals, others will prefer a one on one in home slower paced work experience. For example, home health care or health related companion services are options for single patient care.
Two popular workplace choices for CNAs include nursing homes and hospital environments. There are many responsibilities that a Certified Nursing Assistant carries out in these places of work. Some of these duties include tending to personal needs of a patient such as bed bathing, personal hygiene, and dressing and assisting in other ways. In addition, these workers are assigned to a certain number of specific patients during a work shift and will be expected to perform the required duties to ensure that each patient receives personal and appropriate care.
Specifically, in an early shift in a nursing home, Nursing Assistants will be responsible for helping patients begin their day. This may consist of a routine such as giving a bed bath or getting the resident prepared for a shower. Brushing teeth, shaving,combing hair and dressing are all a part of necessary daily responsibilities for the CNA. Meals are served as well and many times feeding the resident is required, depending on level of care. Nursing home resident care and hospital patient care differ in that the hospital patients are receiving care specific to their recovery and are generally short stay patients, whereas nursing home care is often long term and the nursing home is a residence for many.
In home care may require many of the same duties as in nursing homes and hospitals. One of the main differences is that the pace will be much different. In home care involves one on one unrushed care in most cases. While some CNA work in homes consists of daily or weekly visits for personal care, many jobs are full day or night shifts. In this way, the nursing assistant is available as needed, even when not actively working with the patient.
Taking and recording vital signs is another aspect of care that is part of the caretaker’s workday. Taking temperature, blood pressure, and other medical duties depending on the patient, are all part of the care process. Helping with bathroom related needs and cleanup may also be part of the daily care shift.
Out of the many career or job choices available in the medical field today, becoming a CNA is worth considering. Although nursing care can be hard work, for those who enjoy caring for others and have a desire to be of help to them in a very personal way, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, a CNA may be just the fit.
