How to Be a Certified Nurse's Assistant
A CNA is a certified nursing assistant, who is also known as a nurse’s aide and patient care technician. They typically work with geriatric patients or mentally challenged individuals in long-term care facilities. Being a CNA is a very challenging career, but it can also be a very rewarding career. These tips will help you to understand all the aspects of being a CNA.
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Instructions
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Possess the necessary training. CNAs are required to obtain a certain amount of training. The training requirements vary by state but usually involve taking a class, or classes, at a geriatric facility, Red Cross, or community college. In many areas, CNAs have the option to receive paid training when they commit to work for a facility for a certain amount of time.
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Have an abundance of patience. A CNA needs to be extremely patient because working with mentally disabled and elderly people with fluctuating memories and temperaments can become overwhelming and very frustrating. A successful CNA will be very patient and grounded.
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Hold a great deal of compassion in your heart. In order for a CNA to truly be good at her job, she must have an immense amount of compassion and empathy for the patients in her care. Once again, the job presents challenges that require you to remain calm and caring. True compassion for your patients is essential in being a good CNA.
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Exhibit strong communication and interpersonal skills. CNAs will not only need to communicate with nurses and doctors about their patients' conditions, but they will also be required to speak with the patients' families and friends to keep them up-to-date and informed about the patients. Good communication skills are vital to a CNA.
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Be able to perform all necessary job requirements and duties. CNAs are responsible for helping their patients dress, bathe, maintain oral hygiene, keep bed linens dry and clean, serving food trays, feeding patients when necessary, lifting patients in and out of beds and wheelchairs, observing the patients' conditions, and recording blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, and weight in the patients’ charts. This means that being a CNA presents certain physical demands. CNAs need to physically be able to lift and move patients.
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