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CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant)
In today's hospitals and extended care facilities a nurse assistant is an important part of a health care team that includes many personnel outside of nurses. Nurse assistants are needed to provide routine care so that nurses can provide care that only they can perform, as outlined by each state's Nurse Practice Acts, such as formulating care plans, nursing assessments, administering medication, and assisting in surgery room preparation. The nurse assistant must not only be very skilled in the actual procedures being performed but must also be able to observe a patient's condition and report that information back to the nurse. Due to other responsibilities, the nurse cannot spend large amounts of time in the room with the patient so the nurse assistant is often referred to as the nurse's "eyes and ears". Common basic tasks may include any of the following:
- Answer patients' call signals.
- Turn and reposition bedridden patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores.
- Observe patients' conditions, measuring and recording food and liquid intake and output and vital signs, and report changes to professional staff.
- Provide patients with help walking, exercising, and moving in and out of bed.
- Provide patient care by applying dressings and supervising exercise routines.
- Prepare patients for surgery, treatment, or examination.
- Transport patients to treatment units, using a wheelchair or stretcher.
- Clean rooms and change linens.
A nurse assistant must also have a strong grasp of emergency procedures and be able to stay calm in stressful situations.
A Certified Nursing Assistant, also called a CNA, works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, LPN, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Medical Doctor, Resident, or other supervisory staff as designated by the health care facility, or supervisor. A CNA provides assistance to patients with daily living tasks and works closely with patients A CNA is responsible for basic care services such as bed making, grooming and vital signs. A CNA may also assist doctors and nurses with medical procedures.
CNAs give patients important social and emotional support and also provide vital information on patient conditions to nurses, doctors, and other medical staff. Since aides have extensive daily contact with each patient, they are the key to providing vital information on the patients' conditions to the nurse and doctor. Most CNA's agree that it is one of the most rewarding challenges that a person in the healthcare industry can undertake.
Questions Asked About CNA's
Where are CNAs Employed?
Most CNA's work in nursing homes, hospitals, mental health facilities, assisted living facilities, long-term care facilities, and private homes. Many CNAs choose to work for Agencies who place CNAs in different long-term and short-term assignments. Many CNAs enjoy the opportunity to work in different health care settings. Certified Nurse Aides can also work in different settings, such as schools, summer camps, agencies, education facilities, drug rehabilitation programs, agencies, and in retail stores selling home care supplies. Graduates with a business spirit, advertise their service, and work independently. The above is only a few of the many employment opportunities that CNAs enjoy.
Why do I sometimes hear Certified Nurse Assistants being referred to with other titles? Is there a difference?
The official title is Certified Nurse Assistant. Instead of Assistant, Aide is commonly used in place of assistant. If you see Nurse Aid instead of Nurse Aide, this is a misspelling. When you first graduate from school, you are a Nurse Assistant. Upon passing your State exam you are then a Certified Nurse Assistant or Aide. The term Certified Nurse Assistant is commonly abbreviated as CNA. NA is also used to refer to Nurse Assistant/Aide. Other titles which you may see are: Personal Care Aide, Personal Care Technician, Nurse Technician, Nurse Tech, Resident Assistant, Caregiver, Orderly, PCA, Resident Care Giver, PCG, Assistant Nurse, or Hospital Aide. It is common to see plurals, and suffixes added to the title, examples are: Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Nurse's Assistant.
Is a Home Health Aide, (HHA) the same as a Certified Nurse Aide?
No, a Home Health Aide, abbreviated as HHA is the person who cares for the sick or bedridden patients in their home. To become an HHA requires much less education than a CNA. Many HHAs take the CNA course to upgrade their skills and pay. CNAs, if they wish, can work as a HHA, but an HHA cannot work as a CNA.
If I want to be a LPN or RN, is the CNA a good course to take?
Many graduate students who have gone on to be both LPNs and RNs. The CNA course is a great opportunity to enter the health field in a short time, and at a low cost. After working as a CNA, you will be around many professionals who can help guide you. Also, many students go on to other allied health careers, such as Nurse Technician, MRI Tech, to mention a few.
Can You Tell me about the State Exam?
After finishing your Nursing Assistant classes, and supervised externship, you are ready to take the State exam, to become certified. Most CNA's experiences with taking the test vary slightly.
The State Certifying Nurse Assistant test is made up of two parts, written and clinical. You can bring someone with you to the test who will act as a 'model' for you to demonstrate your clinical skills on, or the school will have someone available for a small fee. The written portion of the test is everything we have covered in class. Many of CNA students say it was mostly common sense. It is a good idea to read you book, over and over. Study your notes given during your CNA classes.While taking the practical portion of the CNA test, you will be asked to demonstrate anywhere from three to five Nursing Assistant skills. You will be told at the end of the CNA exam whether or not you passed. You will find out that day if you passed the CNA exam. If you do no pass, you can re-take the test.
Can I work as a CNA in another State?
Yes, you need to apply for CNA RECIPROCITY to work as a CNA in that State.
What is CNA reciprocity?
By Federal and State Laws, you must pass a State prescribed CNA course and also pass a CNA test in order to work as a CNA in a nursing home. You also cannot work as a CNA in a nursing home in any state unless you are approved by that state. If you are a CNA in one State and want to work as a CNA in another state, you will need to request reciprocity. This means that you are asking the new state to recognize your CNA approval granted to you by the original State.
How do I request CNA reciprocity?
The first step is to contact your State CNA registry and request an “Application for Enrollment By Reciprocity”. Once you complete the form, you would send it to the CNA registry of the state which you are moving to. Depending on the state, it can take time, so plan in advance.
What are some of the duties of a CNA?
Duties of the CNA vary widely from facility to facility. In some nursing homes, a CNA is not required to make beds; non-certified staff are hired to make beds and deliver foods/snacks. In other facilities, CNAs are hired just for showers/baths- freeing up others to do the other personal care tasks. Typically, the CNA is given an assignment of residents he/she is responsible for providing care for during the shift worked. Sometimes this assignment has “easy” and “difficult” residents: A few residents may be independent with their needs, and other will require total care. This is done in an effort to make it a little easier for the CNA to manage their time and workloads. Total care residents are those who require help with most of their daily tasks, such as: eating, toileting, bathing, transferring. Often these residents are incontinent, need to be fed, require assistance from two CNA staff to be lifted, wear diapers and need special seatbelts and other safeguards to keep them safe. In some facilities, it is the CNA who maintains the dining rooms and unit kitchens. In others facilities the CNA are not required to do housekeeping tasks at all. Most facilities do not have CNAs perform “service” like work, such as housekeeping and laundry.
Apollo College click a location below to request more information
Locations: Online
Financing Available Medical Education Programs: CNA (Certified Nurse's Assistant), Medical Assistant, Medical Billing, Medical Coding. 
Phoenix University click a location below to request more information
Locations: Online
Be part of an institution that has grown from an upstart in 1976 to becoming today’s largest private university in North America. Students study at more than 200 locations, as well as through online programs available in most countries around the world. Medical Education Programs: CNA (Certified Nurse's Assistant), Medical Assistant, Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Dental Assistant and more.
Devry University click a location below to request more information
Locations: Online
Since 1975, 237,957 undergraduate students system-wide have graduated from DeVry, and 90% of those in the active job market were employed in career-related positions within six months of graduation. Active job market includes those employed prior to graduation. 96 of Fortune 100 companies employed DeVry graduates from 2003 to 2008. Medical Education Programs: Phlebotomy, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Dental etc.
ITT click a location below to request more information
Locations: Online
At ITT Technical Institutes, we are committed to helping men and women develop the skills and knowledge to pursue many opportunities in today's fastest growing career fields. Medical Education Programs: LVN, Medical Biller, Nursing, Dental Assistant and more.
Medical Career Guides
CNA Guide
Medical Assistant Guide
Healthcare Administration Guide
Home Health Aide Guide
LPN Guide
Massage Therapist Guide
Medical Biller Guide
Dental Hygienist Guide
X-ray Technician Guide
Medical Coder Guide
Medical Transcriptionist Guide
Nurse Guide
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About CNA
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