CNA stands for Certified Nursing Assistant. The acronym is also known as Certified Nurse Assistant.
The certified nursing professionals can practice their job in many institutions such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, adult day health centers, nursing homes and they even can practice in private homes when needed and allowed.
CNAs are trained to provide professional personal medical care and assistance. It is common for CNAs to work under the supervision of a nurse. Often along with the personal medical care CNAs perform, depending on patient’s health condition and abilities, the most basic needs for them. Because of the extensive daily contact with the patients, CNAs perform key role, providing to the nurse or the doctor in charge important information about the patient’s medical condition.
As a Certified Nursing Assistant every professional performs extensive list of functions which highly depend on the institution where the CNA practice. Some of the most common functions are such as taking patients vital signs, assisting nurses with medical equipment, documentation and record keeping of patient’s vitals, medications and activities, reporting changes of patient’s physical and mental condition to the nurses and doctors in charge. CNAs are also responsible for much of the emotional support patients require during hospitalization, because of the larger amount of time they spend with patients, compared to doctors and nurses.
In the field of personal care Certified Nurse Assistants provide help with motion exercises, depending on patients needs and condition ranging from minimal assistance to totally dependent. CNAs also provide help with feeding, bathing, grooming, dressing, they take care of making beds and organizing patient’s rooms and belongings.
Certified nursing assistants work at the direction of nurses to provide basic patient care. CNA’s play a key role in the basic day to day care of patients in hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities, and nursing homes. Care includes feeding and bathing, changing linens, grooming, or helping move a patient.
Duties also include the storing, sterilization, and preparation of medical supplies. Certified nursing assistants play a critical role in successful healthcare by extending the capability of nurses and doctors to provide better patient care.
In addition to teaching you the basic duties of a certified nursing assistant, CNA classes will train you to assess patient needs, how to interact effectively with the patient, and how to make observations regarding a patient’s condition and state of mind. CNA training will provide you with a background on how to help diagnose and treat human diseases and injuries. Classes also teach you about drug interactions and preventative health care measures