My name is Katie, and I have been a nurse for 10 years. My healthcare journey began in 2013 when I started as a CNA, eventually progressing through school to achieve my BSN. I specialize in Emergency Medicine and have worked as a Travel ER RN since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing has been life-changing for me. I strive to be the good in difficult situations and provide the best care possible to my patients.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play a significant role in the healthcare system, as they typically serve as the backbone of patient care from hospitals to nursing homes.
You must practice mastery of the specific duties and day-to-day tasks of a CNA to be successful in this profession.
Here are the primary responsibilities that CNAs perform daily.
CNAs are primarily involved in providing assistance so patients can go about their daily living activities, otherwise known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Your tasks include showering, feeding, grooming, and managing medications. You are expected to provide hands-on support, ensuring patients maintain their personal hygiene while taking medications on time.
On top of looking after a patient’s well-being, you need to provide compassionate care. You cannot overlook this aspect of the job as patients often require emotional and psychological support.
As a CNA, you are expected to record and measure crucial health indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiration.
Vigilant monitoring and accurate recording of patients’ vital signs help other members of the healthcare team to come up with viable treatment plans. You must abruptly report significant changes in a patient’s vital signs to the nursing staff, who will determine if additional medical attention is required.
Effective patient care begins with you performing your tasks dutifully.
You are likely to provide your services as a CNA to the elderly or patients with mobility issues. You are expected to help patients get in and out of bed and walk around using walkers or canes.
But these tasks cannot be performed without proper training. You will be equipped with the necessary skills to transfer patients without risking injury, such as moving from a bed to a wheelchair. You must observe proper body mechanics while using assistive devices.
This not only promotes patient safety but also encourages independence and mobility.
CNAs are also expected to maintain a clean and safe environment for patients.
You will be tasked with sanitizing patient areas, changing bed linens, and organizing supplies. Keeping a hygienic environment is paramount for preventing infections and ensuring patient safety.
Infection control protocols are an essential part of your responsibilities. By following proper cleaning procedures and utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE), you can help protect patients and the healthcare staff from potential illnesses.
Creating a safe and clean environment contributes to overall patient satisfaction and well-being.
Effective communication is a cornerstone of quality patient care, and as a CNAs you will often be the primary point of contact for patients and their families.
You must use clear and compassionate communication to understand patient needs and provide emotional support.
Active listening is key in these interactions, as it allows you to pick up on verbal and non-verbal cues that indicate a patient’s comfort level or concerns.
Building rapport with patients fosters trust and helps create a more positive healthcare experience.
You may also communicate important information to families, helping them understand their loved one’s care plan and progress.
Accurate documentation is another important aspect of a CNA’s role.
You are responsible for charting patient care activities, vital signs, and any observations made during their shift.
Your documentation must be timely and precise, as it contributes to the continuity of care and ensures that the healthcare team is informed of each patient’s status.
For example, if you notice a change in a patient’s behavior or condition, documenting the observation promptly allows nurses and doctors to respond in a timely manner.
Proper record-keeping not only enhances patient care but also protects you and the healthcare facility from potential litigation.
CNAs are integral members of the healthcare team, working alongside nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Collaboration is essential for providing comprehensive patient care, and that could be achieved with effective communication among team members.
You often directly report to nurses about patient needs and concerns, and you are expected to participate in team meetings to discuss care plans and patient progress. By fostering strong relationships with colleagues, you can contribute to a supportive work environment that enhances the quality of patient care.
In a nutshell, CNAs are expected to perform a wide range of tasks that are essential to providing high-quality patient care.
Those tasks largely involve assistance with daily living activities including monitoring vital signs, maintaining a patient’s hygiene and working with other members of the healthcare team.
Understanding and performing these tasks effectively is the initial step toward a successful journey as a CNA. The work may be demanding, but the rewards of making a difference in patients’ lives are intangible.
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