A CNA or certified nursing assistant is an essential position in any hospital context. CNAs have many duties that make them an important part of the patient process in healthcare. While being a CNA is frequently considered an entry-level job, it is a great way to transition to other healthcare professions. Being a CNA can assist in preparing you for nursing or healthcare management work in various ways, and is a fantastic place to start your career.
CNA qualifications will differ depending on where you live, but generally speaking, the process is the same. Learn about CNA duties, how you can become one, and how you can use your nursing assistant experience to propel you into other health care professions.
What Do CNAs Do?
There are many duties for nursing assistants. A certified nursing assistant assists patients with direct health care needs, often under the guidance of a nurse. Certified nursing assistants may also be called a nursing assistant, nurse’s aid, or patient care assistant. CNAs work directly with patients and nurses, helping with the many physical and complex tasks for patient care.
Some CNA Duties Include:
- Turning or moving patients
- Gathering medical supplies
- Bathing patients
- Grooming patients by brushing their hair, teeth, shaving them, etc.
- Feeding patients and documenting their food and liquid intake
- Checking vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate
- Answering patient calls
- Documenting information
- Cleaning rooms and bed linens
- Stocking supplies
- Assisting with some medical procedures
- Safety procedures
- Transporting patients
- Taking care of wounds
Different hospitals and facilities will have unique requirements and responsibilities for their CNAs. But in essence, certified nursing assistants help perform critical tasks that ensure patients are well-cared for and safe during their hospital stay. Checking vital signs, keeping patients clean, and other duties like this are extremely important for patient care and satisfaction.
Each state will have specific responsibilities that CNAs are eligible to perform, so the exact job roles may vary depending on where you live.
Where Do Certified Nursing Assistants Work?
CNAs can be found in all kinds of healthcare settings including:
- Hospitals
- Long-term residential facilities
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Adult daycare centers
- Rarely, clinical facilities
Nursing homes and adult care facilities are often the most common places where nursing assistants are needed. Rarely do nursing assistants will work in clinical settings, but that doesn’t happen very often.
In 2018 there were roughly 1,564,200 CNAs in the United States. And nursing care facilities employed the largest number of certified nursing assistants at 38%. Depending on where you live there may be different facilities hiring CNAs to help take on care tasks for patients.
