How to Become a Long-Term Care Nursing Assistant
Long-term care nursing assistants, also known as nurse aides, nursing assistants and CNAs (certified nurse assistants), provide hands-on daily care for patients and accomplish routine tasks under the supervision of nursing staff. They regularly assist with bathing, feeding and dressing patients, and often provide the primary care for patients. In the long-term care setting, nurse assistants often develop enduring relationships with patients that reside in the facility for months or years. If this demanding, important and rewarding position interests you, you may want to pursue a long-term care nursing assistant career.
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Instructions
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Understand the daily work tasks required as a long-term nursing assistant. In this career path, you will assist multiple patients in an often demanding atmosphere. You'll help patients in and out of bed, to their feet, to the bathroom and shower, dress them, feed them, bathe them, and provide any other assistance, as needed. There is a risk of injury from heavy lifting, and contracting infectious diseases from ill patients.
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Possess prerequisite qualifications. Candidates must hold a high school diploma (or equivalent), be in good physical condition and emotionally strong, and be able to manage unpleasant tasks. For many positions, you will also need to pass a criminal background check.
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Complete required education and training. Formal nursing assistant training can be attained at some high schools, vocational schools and community colleges. On-the-job and additional classroom training is often required by facilities once employment is attained.
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Attain your CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) credential. To work in a facility that accepts Medicare, the federal government requires a CNA license. To attain your CNA license, you must have at least 75 hours of training and pass a competency exam. Once this is accomplished, you will be included in your state's registry of nurse aides.
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Tips & Warnings
Positions as CNAs at long-term care facilities are readily available due to employees leaving the occupation and employment growth.
Advancement is limited in this field. Many CNA's further their career through additional training to become licensed practical nurses or registered nurses. Becoming a CNA provides a good opportunity to decide if a health-care career is for you.
