What is CNA?

CNA, also known as Certified Nursing Assistants, are the people who are in-charge of taking care of patient that are unable to take care of themselves. With the guidance of the nurse, they work to take care of the sick by providing physical assistance to the patience with their daily living task like bathing and feeding. The CNA assists the nurse in taking care of the patient by doing all the necessary things that are needed. A CNA profession can help in pursuing the profession to be a registered nurse.

It is important for a CNA to have a lot of patience since you will be taking care of various types of persons. Persons you will be taking care of would vary from the normal physically incapable people to those that are mentally ill. A CNA must always be able to face the challenges of healthcare. From being short staffed to handling difficult patients to patients that may exhibit either/both physical and verbal abuse.

At the end of the day, a nursing assistant should be able to record in an organized fashion all the things that were done for the patient.

The CNA Training Classes

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant, you will need to complete all the proper training and pass the certification test. The training classes are facilitated by a qualified Registered Nurse. There are two parts of the CNA training class. First part is to take a classroom lecture on healthcare and proper patient care. This teaches you how to properly store, sterilize and prepare the medical supplies needed. This will also teach you about drugs, drug interaction, preventive healthcare measures, treatment and diagnosis on diseases and injuries.

The second part would be the hands-on training that teaches you how to properly take care of the patient. It explains to you the body’s mechanics and teaches you how to properly lift and move a patient. It will also teach you how to monitor, take pulse, blood pressure and apply first aid. Basic medical procedures, checking a person’s respiration rate, denture care, catheter care and more.

All the procedures that are carrried by a CNA are all listed in the Red Cross website. Some of the procedures are as follows:

• First Aid for Choking
• Using an Electronic Thermometer
• Counting and Recording a Person’s Pulse
• Counting and Recording a Person’s Respiration’s
• Taking and Recording a Person’s Blood Pressure
• Moving a Person Around in Bed
• Positioning a Person in Supine, Fowler’s, and Lateral Positions
• Transferring from Bed to Chair
• Repositioning a Person in a Chair

Getting the Proper Education

As for CNA training classes, you can get all the proper education both online and in a health facility. Online education would provide you with the proper education on basic healthcare by just taking it online. Most online schools would recommend you to get hands-on training. Getting CNA training classes from a healthcare facility is also a good idea since you will be getting both education and hands-on training. A foundation on basic health care and a good practical training that can covers what is included in the test is a must. The test will cover all that is needed by a Certified Nursing Assistant.