Health care is perhaps the most critical profession on earth. Human beings cannot survive without care due to illness, injury, or old age. Of all the health care careers, nurse assistants are especially precious. They tend to be the first hospital staff members patients encounter upon entering a hospital, nursing home, or health clinic. Nurse assistant careers are in demand everywhere and are the best choice for anyone seeking a rewarding and secure occupation.
Here we are going to talk about what nurse assistants do, where they are employed, what one should be skilled in, how to become certified, and benefits of working as a nurse assistant.
What is a Nurse Assistant?
Nurse assistant, nursing assistant or CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is a health care provider who is responsible for patients’ daily requirements and supports physicians and nurses in patient care.
They are not performing intricate medical procedures like doctors or enrolled nurses, yet they place patients into comfort, safety, and quality care. They engage more with the patients than any other health workers in most cases.
Daily Work of a Nurse Assistant
Daily work of a nurse assistant varies based on the work setting. But some of the daily routine work are:
- Aiding the patients in their personal hygiene such as bath, dressing, and shaving
- Feeding patients who are unable to feed themselves
- Taking vital signs from the patients such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse
- Aiding the patients to mobilize, i.e., walking or bed to wheel chair transfer
- Making the beds and keeping patient rooms clean
- Alerting the nurses or physicians about any alteration in the patient’s health
- Aiding medical equipment with supervision
These are basic tasks, but very crucial to patient recovery and comfort.
Where Do Nurse Assistants Work?
Nurse assistants work in a number of health care facilities, including:
- Hospitals – Caring for patients of all ages, infant to geriatric.
- Nursing Homes – Caring for elderly residents needing long-term care.
- Rehabilitation Centers – Caring for patients recovering from surgery, stroke, or accident.
- Home Health Care – Performing tasks in the homes of patients.
- Clinics – Attending doctors and nurses to out-clinics.
Each environment has drawbacks and benefits. Hospital work, for example, can be chaotic, while nursing home work might involve establishing relationships with patients over the longer term.
Skills to Practice as a Nurse Assistant
Technical as well as interpersonal skills are required for nurse assistant practice. Some of the most effective skills are:
- Compassion – Working with individuals who may be sick, frightened, or in pain.
- Communication – Receiving directions from patients and communicating with nurses and doctors concisely.
- Patience – Some of the patients recover slowly or need extra care.
- Physical Strength – The labor is frequently connected with lifting, bending, and standing for long periods.
- Attention to Detail – Minor variations in the condition of a patient can be very crucial. Never underestimate the little things.
- Teamwork – Nursing assistants work together with other health care professionals.
These are learned and developed skills through experience, but the best asset would be a compassionate attitude.
Education and Certification
A bachelor’s degree is not required to work as a nurse assistant. You will be required by most employers to be trained from an approved state nurse assistant training program and this will take 4 weeks to 12 weeks. Training is provided by health care providers, vocational schools, and community colleges.
After training, you will be expected to sit for a state competency test in readiness to be certified to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The test usually consists of two parts: a written and skills test. You can then apply for nurse assistant jobs in your state.
A number of states also perform background checks and immunization checks before filling jobs in health facilities.
Salary and Job Outlook
Nurse assistant jobs are available and the prospects are great. The United States nurse assistant salary is between $30,000 and $40,000 a year, depending on where one works and the amount of experience one has.
Hospital workers who work in hospitals receive somewhat more than hospital employees who are working in nursing homes. Holiday, weekend, and night work can result in overtime for some nurse assistants.
The job opportunities will also be enhanced with the growing population and the requirement for more healthcare providers. That is great job security with this line of work.
Advantages of a Career as a Nurse Assistant
There are many reasons why people seek nurse assistant careers, for example:
- Job Security – Doctors are never unemployed.
- Fast Entry – These courses are shorter than other health careers.
- Important Work – You provide one-on-one care to patients and truly do make a tremendous impact on their lives.
- Career Progression – A few CNAs continue to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs).
- Flexible Hours – Flexible, part-time, or full-time hours are available via some positions.
Though the job will be physically and emotionally challenging, the work is well worth it to most nurse assistants.
Also Read: Atrium Health Union: Monroe Families and Beyond Enjoy Better Care
Nurse Assistant Job Challenges
Like any career, there are disadvantages to being a nurse assistant. Some of the most prevalent include:
- Long hours and physical labor
- Dealing with patients who will not cooperate or are challenging
- Exposure to disease and infection
- Emotional stress that might be linked to working with ill or aged patients
But with the right training and support, nurse assistants can easily overcome those obstacles.
Tips for Getting a Nurse Assistant Job
If you want to become a nurse assistant, these are the tips:
- Complete Training Early – Look for an accredited school in your area.
- Become Certified – The passing of the CNA examination is usually the requirement in all states.
- Make a Resume – Emphasize any health care background, even volunteer work.
- Job Apply Widely – Apply to hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies.
- Interview Practice – Be prepared to answer questions about your empathy, ability to get along with others, and desire to learn.
- Continuous Learning – Some offer extra training to help in your growth.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Most start out as nurse assistants and eventually become more complex in your field. With further education, you can become:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Approximately 1 year of schooling.
- Registered Nurse (RN) – Nursing degree.
- Specialized Caregiver – In rehabilitation, pediatric, or geriatric contexts.
This also places nurse assistant jobs in the best position to become a good springboard into a healthcare career later on.
Conclusion
Nurse assistant is one of the most rewarding health careers. They allow you to make a difference in patients’ lives and have career advancement and job security. A nurse assistant career is the best option for a person who wants to start a healthcare career because of short training programs, great demand, and great influence on a daily basis.
If you like serving other people, you are patient and desire to have a rewarding career, then becoming a nurse assistant would be ideal for you.