What Does A CNA Do?

A CNA Does Much More Than People Realize

If you're considering becoming a nurse aide, then you're probably wondering exactly what does a CNA do? Most people don't know this, but a CNA does much more than most people realize. For starters, a certified nurse aide spends more time with the patients then anyone else in the healthcare profession. Because a nurse aide spends so much time with the patients, it's often like a very personal job. They often develop a very strong rapport with the patients, and sometimes know them better than anyone else. This means that a CNA must be very people oriented.

Usually, a certified nurse aide will begin their shift with the meeting. It's usually not very formal, and it is usually only a few minutes long. The CNA will receive information regarding the previous shift and the head nurse will usually pass on other important information regarding the CNA's job or the healthcare facility in general.

The Duties of the CNA

And most healthcare facilities. The CNA will help the residents or patients with their morning routines. These routines will vary slightly from person to person, but they will all be basically the same. As a CNA, you will help the patients out of bed, help them get dressed, and you will also help them with the personal hygiene. Some facilities will require you to take the vital signs of the patients. After these duties have been completed, the CNA will help the patient with the morning meal.

All during the rest of the day, most of the duties of the CNA will revolve around helping the patients. The nurse aide will be responsible for assisting with patient meals, personal hygiene, bathing, changing briefs, emptying bedpans, and some basic physical therapy.

Many people that wonder what this a CNA do, don't realize that they have a lot of tasks that are not laid out in their job description. As a certified nurse aide you will be very busy all day long helping people with tasks that may seem out of the ordinary. You may have to help some patients call their family. You might have to help certain patients going to the bathroom. And some patients can be extremely demanding, which means that you will need a lot of understanding and compassion.

Once evening rolls around, you will have a whole new set of tasks. You will have to help the patients get ready for bed, change them into their sleeping close, and help them with a personal hygiene. Once the patients are in bed and asleep. You will need to continually monitor them to make sure they are safe and healthy.

Another big responsibility of the CNA is to record pertinent information. Usually you will have a log to record their vital signs, any injuries, bruises, the patients mental state, and anything else that the facility requires. These logs are kept throughout the whole day and the information is added as it happens.

The job of the CNA can be physically demanding. Many people wondering what does the CNA do, often don't consider that the job of the CNA often requires heavy lifting. You may have to help patients to and from their bed, help them go to the bathroom, and help them shower. All of these activities require a certain amount of stamina and strength.

Besides all of a nurse aides responsibilities, this is actually a very rewarding job for many people. This is because your dealing with people one on one, and you can actually see the results of your work firsthand. If you want a stable job, like helping people, and enjoy a rewarding career, then this might be the job for you.

By now you should know the answer to the question, what does a CNA do. The only other question is if this is the right career path for you.