The Role of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is an essential member of the healthcare team, providing direct care and support to patients. CNAs work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies.
As a CNA, one needs to possess certain skills such as excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and emotional stability. CNAs also require skills such as taking vital signs, bathing, grooming, feeding, and dressing patients. They need to have knowledge of proper body mechanics and medication administration as well.
CNAs are responsible for several different areas of patient care, including taking vital signs (blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate), helping patients move around, bathing or showering, dressing, and grooming patients, assisting with eating and drinking, and monitoring patients for changes in health status. They are also responsible for reporting any changes in the patient’s condition to the RN or LPN.
The importance of being a Certified Nursing Assistant cannot be overstated. They are often the frontline workers who are responsible for ensuring that patients are comfortable, clean, and well taken care of. They play a crucial role in the recovery and well-being of patients.
Being a Certified Nursing Assistant requires hard work, dedication, and a strong commitment to patient care. It is a rewarding career path that offers opportunities for growth and advancement within the healthcare industry.
CNA Skills: Technical
As a Certified Nursing Assistant, possessing technical skills is vital. Technical skills are practical abilities and knowledge that a CNA needs to perform critical nursing duties such as assisting patients to move, monitoring their vitals, and ensuring their safety. Here are some technical skills that every CNA should develop:
| Technical Skills | Description |
|---|---|
| Passive Range of Motion | Passive Range of Motion (PROM) is an exercise that a CNA must perform to help patients move their limbs, which they cannot do independently. The technique involves slowly and gently moving a limb through its full range of motion. To do PROM, one should: |
| – Support the patient’s limb above and below the joint and move it slowly and gently | |
| – Encourage the patient to relax and breathe deeply | |
| – Repeat the exercise, depending on the doctor’s prescription | |
| Blood Pressure | Blood Pressure (BP) is a measure of the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries. A CNA needs to know how to measure a patient’s blood pressure accurately. To measure BP: |
| – Use a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope | |
| – Inflate the cuff until the gauge reads about 20-30 mmHg above the patient’s anticipated systolic pressure | |
| – Deflate the cuff slowly and listen for the first Korotkoff sound (systolic pressure) and last sound (diastolic pressure) | |
| Gait Belt | Gait Belt is a safety device used to assist patients when moving around. A CNA should know how to use it safely. Here are the steps: |
| – Position the belt around the patient’s waist, ensuring that it is snug but not too tight | |
| – Stand facing the patient and grasp the belt with both hands | |
| – Bend knees and maintain a straight back | |
| – Instruct the patient to stand or sit up slowly, placing their feet firmly on the floor |
To acquire technical skills, one can enroll in a technical college and take courses that will impart knowledge in fields such as medical terminology. Technical colleges offer courses that prepare individuals to be CNAs, and those who complete such courses are better equipped to perform their duties.
By developing the technical skills mentioned above, a CNA can provide safe and effective care to patients. CNAs who know how to perform passive range of motion exercises, take accurate blood pressure measurements, and use gait belts correctly can help their patients live fuller, more comfortable lives while providing peace of mind to their families and loved ones.
CNA Skills: Patient Care
If you want to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), you need to develop excellent patient care skills. Patients often rely on CNAs for assistance with everyday tasks, such as getting in and out of bed. To become a successful CNA, you need to know how to do these tasks safely and efficiently.
Assisting Patients with Bed Transfers
One of the most critical skills for a CNA is the ability to assist patients with bed transfers. This task requires proper body mechanics to avoid injuring yourself or the patient. When working with the patient, position yourself close to the bed and use your leg muscles to lift them up or lower them down gently. Avoid bending at the waist, and use your upper body to support the patient’s weight.
Remember: Always communicate with the patient to help them to feel comfortable and secure while you are assisting them. Also, use lifting equipment if necessary, such as a sit-to-stand lift or a Hoyer lift, to make transfers easier for the patient.
Proper Hygiene Maintenance
Maintaining proper hygiene is another critical factor when caring for patients. As a CNA, you will need to provide the patient with bed baths to keep their skin clean and healthy. When performing a bed bath, divide the patient’s body into upper and lower body sections to avoid exposing the patient to the environment. You can use a basin of warm water, soap, and a washcloth to clean the skin thoroughly.
Remember: Always wear gloves, and change them between body parts to avoid cross-contamination. Always check the temperature of the water, and use gentle movements to avoid causing friction to the patient’s skin.
By developing excellent patient care skills, you will be able to provide your patients with the highest quality care. Remember to always be kind, caring, and professional when working with patients, and use the right techniques to protect yourself and the patient from harm.
CNA Exam and Resume
In the healthcare industry, passing the CNA exam is essential for career success. The exam ensures that certified nursing assistants have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively care for patients. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare adequately for the exam by studying the test structure and common exam questions.
Preparing for the CNA Exam
The CNA exam is divided into two parts: written and clinical. The written section consists of multiple-choice questions, while the clinical section requires the candidate to demonstrate hands-on skills. It is essential to have a good understanding of the exam structure to properly prepare for it.
Common exam questions usually involve topics such as patient care, safety procedures, and communication. Candidates should study these topics in-depth to feel confident in answering the questions. There are several resources available, such as study guides and practice exams, which can help in preparation for the CNA exam.
Passing the CNA exam is just the first step in becoming a successful certified nursing assistant. Building a strong resume is necessary to land a great job in the healthcare industry.
Building a Strong CNA Resume
When building a CNA resume, it is crucial to highlight the skills that are most sought after by employers. These skills include communication, teamwork, attention to detail, and empathy. Candidates can demonstrate these skills by including relevant coursework, volunteer work, and professional experiences on their resumes.
The experience section of the resume should showcase specific tasks and responsibilities the candidate has taken on in previous roles. For example, if the candidate has experience with performing vital signs or administering medication, they should highlight those skills in their experience section.
By completing a CNA program, individuals not only gain the knowledge and skills needed to pass the CNA exam but also develop qualities necessary for success in the healthcare industry. These qualities include compassion, patience, and attention to detail in patient care. Although registered nurses have more extensive education and training, both CNAs and RNs are focused on providing quality patient care.
Conclusion
CNA skills are vital to the healthcare industry as they help maintain the quality of care delivered to patients. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide valuable assistance to registered nurses (RNs) and other healthcare professionals in a range of healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Having strong CNA skills is essential for anyone who wants to pursue a successful career in the healthcare industry. CNAs who possess excellent communication, observation, and critical thinking skills are highly valued by healthcare employers.
They demonstrate a level of professionalism that helps them stand out in today’s job market. With strong CNA skills, individuals can become confident and competent nursing assistants, providing high-quality care to patients while working collaboratively with other healthcare team members.
Employers look for candidates with advanced CNA skills that include infection control, safety precautions, properly handling patient transfers, and more. These are the kinds of skills that can open up more job opportunities and lead to successful careers in healthcare.
