| The person providing the hands-on care at nursing | | | | living longer lives while requiring additional care for |
| homes and hospitals is the professional Certified | | | | their medical conditions such as the use of oxygen, |
| Nursing Aide, also referred to as the Certified Nursing | | | | multiple medications and mobility assistance. Many |
| Assistant or "C.N.A." This person is considered a direct | | | | times hands-on care assistance is also required. |
| caregiver. Certified Nursing Aides also provide care | | | | In addition to the need for more caregivers because |
| for seniors in their homes as employees of senior | | | | of the aging population, there is also the issue of |
| home care agencies. | | | | burnout which causes high-turnover of caregivers at |
| Positions similar to a nursing aide which require less | | | | nursing facilities and hospitals. Many times it is a |
| training to provide care are a Home Health Aide and | | | | challenge to provide quality care to multiple patients. |
| Personal Care Assistant. Certification requirements | | | | Because of this, many Certified Nursing Aides prefer |
| vary based on the requirements of each state's laws | | | | to work for senior home care agencies where they |
| and licensing regulations. | | | | are caring for just one person at a time. |
| A Certified Nursing Aide can find employment at | | | | Duties Certified Nursing Assistants perform include: |
| hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living communities, | | | | * Dressing |
| senior day care centers, senior home care agencies, | | | | * Bathing |
| hospices and community senior service programs. | | | | * Feeding |
| Usually a Registered Nurse supervises the Certified | | | | * Toileting |
| Nursing Assistant. However, the nursing aide is the | | | | * Vital signs |
| person who has daily contact with the senior and can | | | | * Catheter care |
| be the most valuable source of information about the | | | | * Assists with ambulation |
| senior's condition for doctors and family members. | | | | * Range of Motion Exercises |
| Where and how are aides trained? Community | | | | * Assists into and out of wheelchairs |
| colleges, community service programs and sometimes | | | | * Makes beds, changes bed linens |
| hospitals provide training programs for certification. | | | | * Turns bedridden patients every two hours, to |
| These can be full-time day programs which will only | | | | prevent bedsores |
| last for a couple months or evening programs. Field | | | | * Provides updates to care plans to supervisor |
| experience is required which involves working in an | | | | * Monitors safety |
| actual care setting, such as a nursing home. By | | | | * Documents daily care provided in care plan notes |
| becoming involved in the daily routine of caregiving, | | | | * Light housekeeping to maintain cleanliness |
| the nursing aide student can apply the skills they | | | | In addition to providing assistance for a senior's |
| have learned in the classroom to develop | | | | physical care needs, nursing assistants also provide |
| competency. Background checks, drug testing and | | | | emotional support. They are often the only person a |
| necessary immunizations are also required for | | | | senior has regular interactions with and because of |
| completion of the nursing certificate. | | | | this, the senior will lean on them for emotional |
| Over the past several years, a staffing shortage has | | | | support. Aides are also trained to relieve stress by |
| developed for Certified Nursing Aides because of the | | | | talking to co-workers and supervisors, exercising, |
| growing population of older adults. In addition, as | | | | meditating and using humor. |
| medical technology has improved, many seniors are | | | | |