Nursing Assistant Central

Among the vast array of health care careers lies the area of direct care giving. These professionals are often classified as Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, Personal Care Assistants, Nurse’s Aides, Patient Care Technicians and several other titles, depending on the work environment and the region.

They can be found in nursing homes, hospitals, adult day health centers, assisted living facilities, even personal homes. Wherever there is a need for personal care, Certified Nursing Assistants are the ones who, for the most part, perform the most basic needs for patients, young and old alike. They work under the supervision of a nurse. Since aides have extensive daily contact with each patient, they are key to providing vital information on the patients’ conditions to the nurse.

Training programs to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can be found through the Red Cross, community college or through medical facilities themselves. Classes are generally taught by a registered nurse and the length of training depends on the program. Through a facility, classes may run for two weeks, with a month or more of hands on training to follow. The classes offer the basics of what to expect with this job, however, this is a career in which skill levels and confidence dramatically improve once the nursing assistant becomes involved in the daily routine of actual caregiving.

Due to the staffing shortage in recent years, a vast majority of nursing assistants find themselves in the challenging position of attempting to provide quality care to far to many patients at once, due to short staffing problems being experienced around the world in this field. The turnover rate for nursing assistants is phenomenal and this is due largely to the fact that this is not an easy job to begin with, however, singlehandedly doing the work of two or more people proves overwhelming to many, and they leave the field.

Nursing assistants work closely with patients and provide assistance with daily living tasks, such as:

* Dressing (according to patients’ needs, ranging from minimal assistance to totally dependent)

* Bathing (bed baths, tub baths, showers)

* Feeding (serving meals, physically feeding patients who are unable to do so themselves)

* Toileting (assisting with bedpans & urinals, help to the bathroom, provide incontinent care for patients who need it)

* Vital signs (Blood pressure, pulse, etc)

* Catheter care (emptying, upkeep of Intake & Output sheets when neccessary)

* Answering call lights in a timely fashion

* Assist patients with ambulation, when needed

* Range of Motion Exercises, as prescribed by physical therapy

* Assist patients in wheelchairs (a lot of heavy lifting at times)

* Making beds and keeping the patients’ rooms and belongings neat and organized

* Ensuring that bedridden patients are turned at least every two hours, to ensure comfort and to prevent bedsores

* Report all changes, physical and mental, of the patients to the nurse

* Post Mortem Care

* Safety awareness–keeping an eye on wanderers and watching for potentially dangerous situations

* Documentation–Accurate & timely daily documentation on the care provided to each patient.

* Anything else that needs to be done!

A nursing assistant’s job does not end with the physical needs of the patients. This is a job which requires compassion and a desire to make people comfortable and happy. I have worked in nursing homes for many years and I can testify; although this job can be physically challenging at times, it can be just as difficult, mentally. Residents of nursing homes often suffer from depression and/or dementia, and the nursing assistant is often the closest human contact afforded to many of these people. A sense of humor helps in this field! (At work, we half jokingly say, "If we didn’t laugh, we’d cry!")

As a nursing assistant, I have encountered countless situations that have stretched me to my limit. I am called upon daily to draw from my experience in order to deal with each situation that arises. I have been the target of countless (almost daily) verbal and physical attacks by confused patients. I have been punched, slapped, kicked, spit on, tripped, pushed, cornered, pinched and had my hair pulled. I have been called names I had never even heard before.

I have met many interesting people and heard many interesting stories. I have laughed with my patients and I have cried. I have been there when a person took their last breath, and fought back the tears as I remembered them in happier, healthier days. I have seen souls make peace with God and past hurts, while others left this world determined to hold on to their anger and bitterness. This job has taught me a lot about myself and the world around me. However, I will be honest, although I love my job…at times it is not easy. For a realistic look at the reality of being a nursing assistant, read "The Work Experiences of Certified Nursing Assistants In New Hampshire". You will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this article.

Top Online Nursing Programs

	South University - CNA Degree. South University provides you the ability to obtain your medical assisting degree entirely online. Students interested in becoming a nursing assistant will be able to use this degree to start a new nursing career.
	University of Phoenix - A.A. in Health Care Administration.. Offering affordable and convenient degree plans, University of Phoenix is an accredited university with a successful track record of preparing students for new careers in nursing. Phoenix offers campus and online options.
	American InterContinental University Online - The A.A.B.A. in Healthcare Administration. American InterContinental University has great course programs for students seeking their first college degree in the field of healthcare. With affordable degree plans, going back to school at an accredited online college has never been easier.
	Kaplan University - A.A.S. in Health Information Technology. Students interested in becoming a nursing assistant will be very pleased with the Associate's Degree in Health Information Technology that Kaplan University offers. Kaplan is a respected online institution with a history of providing high quality classes at affordable prices.
	DeVry University - Associate in Health Information Technology. DeVry University gives students the opportunity to work in the healthcare field alongside nurses, physicians, and other health care providers in a variety of settings. Their Associate in Health Information Technology program prepares students to work with information systems, applications systems, and databases that hold important health and patient information.
	Virginia College - The BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College Online is the perfect online university for students on the go. With classes online, students can take them when they have the free time to do so and from any location with internet access.
	California Coast University - A.S. in Health Care Administration. Individuals seeking to learn more about the health care industry and are interested in working with health care providers will find that California Coast University offers a wide array of programs to meet their specific goals. The A.S. in Health Care Administration degree will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for a career in the health care field.
	Keiser University - The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting. Keiser University offers an affordable and flexible online degree program that prepares students looking to pursue a degree in medical assistance. They prepare students to perform under the supervision of a physician or practitioner by providing the skills and knowledge needed to enter the fast-growing healthcare industry.