Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Jobs - Career Options
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A Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) provides a basic nursing service under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or a Registered Nurse (RN). Certified Nurse Assistants can work in any healthcare setting such as a Hospital, Nursing home, Community Center, Hospice, School, Outpatient facility and so on. The shift of a CNA is usually 7.5 hours with a 1 hour break. This break can be split between a 30 minute lunch break and two 15 minute breaks. To earn additional income, many Certified Nurse Assistants work double shifts. Some CNAs work a second job elsewhere, and can work 6 or even 7 days per week.
Due to lack of full training, a CNA does not have the powers and responsibilities of a registered nurse. Working as a CNA can give an individual a good insight into the healthcare profession. A temporary job as a CNA can be used by many prospective nurses or healthcare professionals to test the water before committing to a lengthy degree/doctoral program.
The daily duties of a CNA depend on his/her work setting, and include the following:
- Observing residents.
- Reporting any health issues to the supervising nurse.
- Taking care of a resident's personal hygiene, including bed bath, shaving, nail care etc.
- Toileting residents.
- Emptying catheter bags.
- Monitoring vital signs including temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.
- Setting up of meal trays, and documenting food / fluid intake.
- Feeding residents.
- Serving nutritional supplements.
- Making beds.
- Keeping the residents space clean and tidy.
- Bringing the resident to the therapy area.
- Turning bed ridden residents to prevent bedsores.
Note: Patients of long-term care facilities are known as Residents.
Salary & Education: No previous healthcare experience is required to become a CNA. Certified Nurse Assistants can earn between $9.50 and $12 per hour. CNA Programs are available through healthcare facilities and community colleges. The CNA credential can be gained by passing an examination, and registering a certain number of hours worked. Along with a written theory exam, students will be tested on the practical duties of a CNA.
Preview different types of positions: Search and review the different types of Nursing Jobs & Health Care Jobs posted on our jobsite, for an idea of the duties and responsibilities, education/skills required, salary and benefits associated with Health Care related, Medical & Nursing jobs in USA.
Below is a list of some of the various types of medical nurses / assistant nurses: