Spotlights

Tiêu đề tương tự

Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Certified Nurses Aide (CNA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), Nurses' Aide, Nursing Aide, Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Assistant (PCA), State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)

Mô tả công việc

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide essential care and support to patients in hospitals, assisted living centers, nursing homes, community-based adult day care centers, and private residences.

Also known in some states as nursing aides or assistants, CNAs bear general responsibility for ensuring clean, safe environments for patients. They work under the supervision of licensed nurses to ensure their patients’ basic needs are met, such as bathing, getting dressed, and eating.

They also monitor patient vital signs, assist with mobility, and offer much-needed companionship. Depending on their training, they may even offer limited support during medical procedures.

CNAs are vital members of the healthcare team and crucial links between patients and their nurses, recording information in charts and reporting changes so the best care can be given at all times! 

Các khía cạnh bổ ích của sự nghiệp
  • Making an impact on the health, life spans, and daily quality of life of patients
  • Growing demand in the healthcare field
  • Numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth
Muỗng bên trong
Trách nhiệm công việc

Lịch làm việc

  • Certified Nursing Assistants may work part-time or full-time. Shifts may include nights, weekends, or holidays.

Nhiệm vụ tiêu biểu

CNA duties can vary by state, setting, and training. Certain duties require the direct supervision of a registered nurse.

  • Assist patients with personal hygiene including bathing, grooming, dressing, and using the toilet
  • Serve meals and help patients eat, recording their food and liquid intake
  • Prepare rooms and bathrooms for new patients, ensuring they are tidy and sanitary. Change bedsheets and stock toiletry items 
  • Help patients with mobility, including transferring them between beds and wheelchairs, and repositioning for sitting or sleeping
  • Monitor and record vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature
  • Observe changes in patients’ conditions. Report changes to the supervising nurse
  • Respond to patient calls and bed alarms. Care for catheters
  • Provide companionship and emotional support
  • Document patient information, such as responses to treatment and health concerns
  • Ensure effective communication between patients and healthcare professionals
  • If trained and authorized, CNAs may also: 
  1. Assist with noninvasive medical procedures, such as dressing wounds
  2. Administer oral, optical, nasal, and topical medications 
  3. Draw blood 
  4. Collect urine or stool samples 
  5. Transport patients to appointments 


Trách nhiệm bổ sung

  • Assist with laundry, errands, and appointment scheduling
  • Help with discharging patients 
  • Collaborate effectively with patients’ larger healthcare team or caregiver agencies
  • Stay up-to-date on best practices 
  • Assist with training new CNAs
  • Help nurses set up medical equipment. Perform basic equipment cleaning
Các kỹ năng cần thiết trong công việc

Kỹ năng mềm

  • Cách thức bên giường bệnh
  • Lòng thương
  • Điềm tĩnh
  • Độ tin cậy
  • Định hướng chi tiết
  • Khéo léo
  • Emotional resilience 
  • Cảm
  • Phối hợp tay-mắt
  • Tính toàn vẹn 
  • Kỹ năng giao tiếp 
  • Phương pháp 
  • Tinh ý
  • Kiên nhẫn
  • Sức chịu đựng thể chất
  • Xây dựng mối quan hệ
  • Độ tin cậy
  • Ý thức an toàn 
  • Phán xét hợp lý 
  • Kỹ năng giao tiếp mạnh mẽ
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Quản lý thời gian

Kỹ năng kỹ thuật

  • Basic medical knowledge, including medical terminology, taking vital signs, and patient care techniques
  • Kiến thức về các bệnh và chấn thương y tế, và các dấu hiệu và triệu chứng của chúng
  • General familiarity with healthcare equipment and technology
  • Knowledge of hygiene, sterilization practices, and infection control practices
  • Proficiency in documenting and maintaining patient records using medical records software
  • Familiarity with the roles of other medical professionals 
Các loại tổ chức khác nhau
  • Assisted living centers
  • Community-based adult day care centers
  • Continuing care retirement communities
  • Hospice care facilities
  • Bệnh viện và phòng khám
  • Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)    
  • Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
  • Trung tâm chăm sóc ngoại trú    
  • Nhà ở tư nhân
  • Trung tâm phục hồi chức năng
Kỳ vọng và hy sinh

Certified Nursing Assistants are entrusted with the welfare of patients who are often vulnerable due to age, illness, or disability. They frequently assist multiple patients on any given day, thus requiring strong organizational and prioritization skills.

The work can be both physically demanding and emotionally taxing, with schedules sometimes requiring night, weekend, and holiday shifts. CNAs must stay vigilant, empathetic, and patient to ensure their patients receive the best care possible even during stressful or tiring circumstances. In addition, they should take time to practice self-care in order to avoid job burnout or feelings of detachment. 

Xu hướng hiện tại

The nursing field in general has faced a critical shortage in recent years. This is due to a combination of factors, including an increase in life expectancy causing people to require more years of the healthcare services of nurses and CNAs.

In turn, this has created a bottleneck situation, as there are not enough nursing faculty available to train new nurses and CNAs to replace retiring ones. Meanwhile, as the workload continues to stack up, extra strain is placed on nursing professionals who must find ways to manage their own mental well-being and work-life balance. 

Những điều gì mọi người trong sự nghiệp này thích làm khi họ còn trẻ ...

CNAs may have always had an interest in helping others. They could have been involved in caregiving roles from a young age with infirm family members. They tend to have a natural compassion and a desire to make a tangible difference in other people’s lives!

Giáo dục và đào tạo cần thiết

Giáo dục cần thiết

As a reminder, not every state uses the title Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Some simply use the terms Nursing Assistant or Nursing Aide.

  • To become a Certified Nursing Assistant requires completing a state-approved CNA training program through an accredited school
  1. Note, applicants will need a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some high schools feature CNA programs for juniors and seniors
  2. CNA training programs are widely available at community colleges, vocational/technical schools, and even in some hospitals and nursing homes
  3. “A typical CNA program lasts for about 120 hours or six weeks and includes four weeks in a classroom and two weeks in a clinical setting,” writes Indeed. “Many online CNA programs can accommodate a variety of student schedules and may offer classes during the day and on evenings and weekends.” 
  • Course topics include: 
  1. Human anatomy
  2. Infection control
  3. Thuật ngữ y học
  4. Sự dinh dưỡng
  5. Patient rights
  6. Safety and emergencies
  7. Vital signs
  • Practical training includes instruction on basic nursing principles along with RN-supervised caregiving experiences in clinical settings—usually “at least 75 hours of practical experience in an accredited CNA training facility, which also includes at least 16 hours of supervised clinical and 16 hours of laboratory training.” However, some states may require up to 175 hours of training
  • Additional state-specific and employer-specific training requirements vary
  1. Note, upon completion of a state-approved program, students are required to pass a competency exam to obtain a certification or qualify for a state-issued license
  2. Many states use the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam for this. Others have their own exams
  3. Exams usually consist of a written or oral test proctored through a third party, featuring multiple-choice questions. There is also a clinical skills portion where test-takers demonstrate proficiency in various tasks
  • Certification is usually good for two years, and renewable based on state or employer-specific requirements (such as completing continuing education or maintaining employment) 
  • In addition to the above, CNA hopefuls may need to verify or update their immunizations (such as seasonal Influenza vaccination, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, varicella, and meningococcal)
  • They may also have to pass criminal background and drug screenings
  • CNAs may complete optional credentials, such as:
  1. American Board of Wound Management’s Certified Wound Care Associate    
  2. American Council on Exercise’s Functional Training Specialty Certification    
  3. American Medical Certification Association’s Patient Care Technician Certification    
  4. American Phlebotomy Association’s Patient Care Technician    
  5. American Red Cross Basic Life Support Certification    
  6. Certified Medication Assistant (CMA)
  7. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association’s Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant
  8. National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service’s Intravenous Therapy Certification    
  9. National Center for Competency Testing’s Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician
  10. National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care’s Certified Alzheimer Caregiver
  11. National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s National Nurse Aide Assessment Program    
  12. National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant   
  13.  Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America’s Seating and Mobility Specialist
Những điều cần tìm kiếm trong một trường đại học

CNA training programs are available at community colleges, vocational/technical schools, some hospitals and nursing homes, and even through some high school programs. 

  • Review the exact training and certification/licensure requirements for the state you plan to work in.
  • Consider tuition costs (in-state/out-of-state rates), discounts, scholarships, and course delivery options (on-campus, online, or hybrid program).
  • Look for accredited programs with strong reputations and high pass rates for state certification exams.
  • Review the available options for hands-on training in local healthcare settings.
  • Consider the duration of the program and the flexibility of class schedules, especially if balancing other commitments.
  • Review faculty bios and awards. Learn about graduation rates and job placement stats. Peek at the accomplishments of the alumni network!
Những điều cần làm ở trường trung học và đại học
  • Volunteer in healthcare settings to gain exposure and pick up practical skills
  • Take classes in high school related to anatomy, physiology, biology, health sciences, and first aid
  • Earn good grades so you can get accepted into a suitable CNA training program
  • Tham gia vào các hoạt động của trường, nơi bạn có thể trau dồi kỹ năng mềm và tích lũy kinh nghiệm lãnh đạo 
  • Think about the format you want to take CNA classes in. Some topics are fine for online study, but others need to be learned in person 
  • Research the CNA certification requirements for your state. Keep in mind that you may have to pass a criminal background check or drug screening
  • Request to do an informational interview with a working CNA to learn about their daily duties
  • Check out online articles and videos about the career field, the various settings you could work in, and extra certifications you may want to pursue!
  • Maintain a list of contacts (with phone numbers or emails) who might serve as future job references 
  • Keep a working draft of your resume and update it as you gain experience
  • Phát triển một lịch trình tập luyện để bạn có thể giữ dáng và quản lý căng thẳng
Lộ trình điển hình
Certified Nursing Assistant Roadmap
Làm thế nào để có được công việc đầu tiên của bạn
  • Once certified to work in their respective states, CNAs can explore job postings via sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, myCNAjobs, healthcare-specific job search sites, and the websites of applicable employers (i.e., assisted living centers, adult day care centers, hospitals, clinics, nursing care facilities, etc.)
  • Note, many recruiters have established pipelines with local CNA training programs, so talk to your school’s program manager or career center about job placement assistance
  • Network with fellow healthcare professionals to learn about job opportunities. Don’t underestimate the power of “word of mouth” recruiting! 
  • Advertise yourself on LinkedIn and keep your social media professional. Potential employers often screen candidates’ online activities 
  • Check out Certified Nursing Assistant resumes for ideas on formatting, phrasing, and keywords to use
  • Review potential interview questions to expect. Do several mock interviews to practice your responses
  • Exhibit a hearty and nurturing attitude that conveys your ability to physically and mentally handle the workload
  • Read about the strategies recruiters use, to gain a perspective of their mindset during interviews
  • Ăn mặc chuyên nghiệp cho các cuộc phỏng vấn
Làm thế nào để leo lên thang
  • Let your supervisor know your career goals and ask for their advice and mentorship
  • Build a reputation for providing outstanding patient care. Master your bedside manner and follow instructions carefully
  • Establish clear communications with patients, nurses, and other healthcare team members
  • Keep learning! Stay up-to-date on best practices regarding patient care related to CNA duties 
  • Be diligent when it comes to sanitation and hygiene 
  • Pursue further education and training opportunities to learn new skills and competencies 
  • Consider becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse
  • Learn all relevant employer policies and procedures 
  • Nhà sản xuất nghiên cứu và hướng dẫn phần mềm cho thiết bị và chương trình bạn sử dụng thường xuyên
  • Thể hiện khả năng lãnh đạo hàng đầu và kiên nhẫn đào tạo và cố vấn cho các chuyên gia trẻ hơn 
  • Stay engaged with professional organizations. Attend events, hold committee posts, and actively work to advance your reputation
Kế hoạch B

The day-to-day work life of a CNA can be rewarding but often challenging. It’s a critically important career field and frequently serves as a valuable stepping stone for advanced opportunities, as well.

But it’s not everyone’s cup of tea—and that’s okay! There are dozens of exciting healthcare careers to explore. Below are just a few of the most popular ones to consider: 

  • Dental Assistant     
  • Trợ lý Y tế tại Nhà
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Trợ lý y tế
  • Y tá gây mê
  • Nurse Midwife
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Optometrist Assistant 
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Trợ lý bác sĩ    
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Veterinarian Assistant 

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