A certified nurse
assistant or CNA is a nurse who works under supervision with a registered nurse
to deliver care to those who need it. You can become a CNA by completing a
training program, and if you are looking to go into a career in nursing but you
want to test the waters first, becoming a CNA could be the way to do this. A
CNA can take on many roles, providing care for all age groups and gaining
valuable experience in the nursing field.
Taking Vital Signs
As a CNA, you will be
expected to check patients’ vital signs as and when needed according to their care
plan. You will be taught how to do pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure,
oxygen saturation and temperature.
Learning the normal for each of these depending on the age range and knowing
when one isn’t right could save a life. Taking vital signs also gives you a
chance to get to know your patients and talk to them, a chance that not all
medical professionals get, meaning you can be a listening ear when they may
need it most.
Personal Care
Patients who are ill
usually need help with their personal care. Parents may have other children and
may not always have time to be at the Hospital or older people may need a bit
of extra help. You may assist in any aspect of personal hygiene and feeding,
helping the patient to be as comfortable as they can be whilst they are ill.
Being able to shower may be a daily task for most people, but for those stuck
in a hospital bed, it could make their
day that bit better.
Assisting With Medical Procedures
A CNA may be asked to
help with setting up medical equipment for a patient or a test that will be
done by both nurses or doctors. You may be asked to lay out equipment for a
medical examination and can be asked to help during these procedures. Sometimes
a procedure may need extra support, especially if the patient is a child, as
they tend not to want to sit still. Distraction can often be used when doing things such as
taking blood and can make the job a lot
less stressful for both patient and nurse alike.
Should I Become A CNA?
If you are passionate
about caring for others and bringing a holistic approach to care, becoming a
CNA is for you. Each state may have a different rate of pay for CNA’s than
others, so check out the CNA salary in CT. You can advance your career further as a
nurse if you’d like to, once you are a qualified CNA, and nursing can be a very
rewarding career.
Becoming certified as a
nursing assistant is a great way to start a career in nursing, whether you wish
to progress or stay in the role. You will be the front line in noticing deterioration
in patients and assisting them with their basic care needs in a rewarding role
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