2 answers
Brittney
Student
Pittsfield, Maine
1
Question
Asked
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What is the first steps to getting a job as a CNA?
I love helping people and I want to do it as career but I want to know how to get started and what I need for a skill set.
2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Brittney you'll need to complete an accredited Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program to work as a CNA in your state. Most CNA programs range from 75 to 150 hours and include classroom coursework and practical training. Topics of study might include medical terminology, body systems, nursing assistant duties, communication skills and patient care techniques. Graduates are usually awarded a certificate of completion. Vocational schools, community colleges and some chapters of the Red Cross offer CNA training. Additionally, hospitals and clinics sometimes offer on-the-job training programs for CNAs. All need is your high school diploma to enroll in most CNA programs. After you complete your training program, you'll need to pass a competency examination in order to be added to your state's registry of CNAs. Licensure and certification requirements vary by state, so you may need to meet additional educational or training requirements.
SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A CNA
These skills are essential for providing a safe environment in all care settings for both patients and staff equally.
PATIENCE - Working in healthcare can be a challenging career. Working with sick and disabled patients offers many rewards but can be stressful. Patience is required from CNAs as they help their patients and encourage family members to stay positive about their loved ones. Also, CNAs must work cooperatively with their coworkers and healthcare staff to maintain a professional atmosphere in the medical facility.
GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS - CNAs must have effective and clear communication. Nurses, doctors, physical therapists, social workers, and patients (as well as their families) are just a few of the various groups that nurse’s assistants interact with on a daily basis. CNAs frequently use medical jargon with doctors and nurses and might even give summaries that are specifically related to medicine. Exhibiting clear and concise instructions and information among staff and patients requires thoughtful communication skills.
EMPATHY AND COMPASSION - Maintaining a caring bedside manner can put patients at ease to help them feel comfortable and may speed the healing process. Soft skills like empathy and compassion are essential for all healthcare positions, including nursing assistants. These two traits are consistently used by successful CNAs, particularly when working in nursing homes.
STRONG ATTENTION TO DETAIL - CNAs need strong attention to detail in their job. They deal with data, patient charts, and forms containing pages of critical medical data that they must correctly understand and transcribe daily. Additionally, CNAs must pay great attention to their patients’ nonverbal signs and watch for changes in their physical or mental condition. CNAs may be the ones to give patients the most frequent and direct care out of all the various healthcare professionals; being aware of these facts regarding a patient’s health status can literally save lives.
STAMINA & STRENGTH - CNAs spend a lot of time on their feet. They often help patients with personal care like bathing, dressing, and grooming. These are all physical activities that require some strength and stamina. Plus, mental stamina is needed to remain attentive throughout the day to perform duties and any administrative tasks required.
STRONG WORK ETHIC - Patients of all ages can be found in healthcare institutions. They may go through many mental states, including frustration, worry, loneliness, and depression. As a result, dealing with such patients could become challenging for CNAs since some patients may be resistant to treatment or behave uncooperatively. Being a CNA requires you to be extremely kind, composed, and concerned about these people and their problems.
ABILITY TO JUGGLE MULTIPLE TASKS - CNAs must frequently do many responsibilities, from feeding to recording patient vitals and providing family updates. Numerous patients require the attention of nursing assistants. Moving from medical duties to administrative tasks requires a solid ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively.
FLEXIBILITY - You must prioritize your patients’ needs and desires as a CNA. Your success will be aided by understanding that these needs and wants frequently change. Your duties may also vary daily, or hour-to-hour as healthcare facility operations are constantly moving. Embracing change as a positive will help you maintain a flexible and adaptive manner.
STAYING CALM IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS -
Any healthcare position can include difficult situations with patients. There may be some dealing with pain, sadness, and depression. Others may face severe illness or death. CNAs must always do their best to maintain their emotional stability for other patients under their care. A calm and professional manner can make a difference for many in your care.
TIME MANAGEMENT Every day, the healthcare system expands and changes, and each of those days could present CNAs with various problems. You may work with eight patients one day and then have manage ten brand-new patients the following day. As a CNA, your days are unlikely ever to be the same. Some people have little trouble adjusting to this kind of dynamic workplace, while others may struggle.
RESPECT FOR PATIENTS AND STAFF - CNAs encounter patients with varying perspectives on their line of work. The nursing assistant must respect their opinions no matter what the patient believes or how they behave. You can express your position if you disagree without challenging them. Nursing aides occasionally carry out activities like washing patients and gathering urine. These tasks are part of being a CNA and are vital for a clean and efficient healthcare facility while also helping patients maintain their dignity and self-esteem.
Being a CNA can be a tremendously difficult profession, but it is also emotionally fulfilling. Many nursing assistants become close to their patients and coworkers, creating a friendly and family-like atmosphere at times. Those with a compassionate spirit to help patients get better is one of the keys to a successful CNA career Brittney.
SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A CNA
These skills are essential for providing a safe environment in all care settings for both patients and staff equally.
PATIENCE - Working in healthcare can be a challenging career. Working with sick and disabled patients offers many rewards but can be stressful. Patience is required from CNAs as they help their patients and encourage family members to stay positive about their loved ones. Also, CNAs must work cooperatively with their coworkers and healthcare staff to maintain a professional atmosphere in the medical facility.
GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS - CNAs must have effective and clear communication. Nurses, doctors, physical therapists, social workers, and patients (as well as their families) are just a few of the various groups that nurse’s assistants interact with on a daily basis. CNAs frequently use medical jargon with doctors and nurses and might even give summaries that are specifically related to medicine. Exhibiting clear and concise instructions and information among staff and patients requires thoughtful communication skills.
EMPATHY AND COMPASSION - Maintaining a caring bedside manner can put patients at ease to help them feel comfortable and may speed the healing process. Soft skills like empathy and compassion are essential for all healthcare positions, including nursing assistants. These two traits are consistently used by successful CNAs, particularly when working in nursing homes.
STRONG ATTENTION TO DETAIL - CNAs need strong attention to detail in their job. They deal with data, patient charts, and forms containing pages of critical medical data that they must correctly understand and transcribe daily. Additionally, CNAs must pay great attention to their patients’ nonverbal signs and watch for changes in their physical or mental condition. CNAs may be the ones to give patients the most frequent and direct care out of all the various healthcare professionals; being aware of these facts regarding a patient’s health status can literally save lives.
STAMINA & STRENGTH - CNAs spend a lot of time on their feet. They often help patients with personal care like bathing, dressing, and grooming. These are all physical activities that require some strength and stamina. Plus, mental stamina is needed to remain attentive throughout the day to perform duties and any administrative tasks required.
STRONG WORK ETHIC - Patients of all ages can be found in healthcare institutions. They may go through many mental states, including frustration, worry, loneliness, and depression. As a result, dealing with such patients could become challenging for CNAs since some patients may be resistant to treatment or behave uncooperatively. Being a CNA requires you to be extremely kind, composed, and concerned about these people and their problems.
ABILITY TO JUGGLE MULTIPLE TASKS - CNAs must frequently do many responsibilities, from feeding to recording patient vitals and providing family updates. Numerous patients require the attention of nursing assistants. Moving from medical duties to administrative tasks requires a solid ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively.
FLEXIBILITY - You must prioritize your patients’ needs and desires as a CNA. Your success will be aided by understanding that these needs and wants frequently change. Your duties may also vary daily, or hour-to-hour as healthcare facility operations are constantly moving. Embracing change as a positive will help you maintain a flexible and adaptive manner.
STAYING CALM IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS -
Any healthcare position can include difficult situations with patients. There may be some dealing with pain, sadness, and depression. Others may face severe illness or death. CNAs must always do their best to maintain their emotional stability for other patients under their care. A calm and professional manner can make a difference for many in your care.
TIME MANAGEMENT Every day, the healthcare system expands and changes, and each of those days could present CNAs with various problems. You may work with eight patients one day and then have manage ten brand-new patients the following day. As a CNA, your days are unlikely ever to be the same. Some people have little trouble adjusting to this kind of dynamic workplace, while others may struggle.
RESPECT FOR PATIENTS AND STAFF - CNAs encounter patients with varying perspectives on their line of work. The nursing assistant must respect their opinions no matter what the patient believes or how they behave. You can express your position if you disagree without challenging them. Nursing aides occasionally carry out activities like washing patients and gathering urine. These tasks are part of being a CNA and are vital for a clean and efficient healthcare facility while also helping patients maintain their dignity and self-esteem.
Being a CNA can be a tremendously difficult profession, but it is also emotionally fulfilling. Many nursing assistants become close to their patients and coworkers, creating a friendly and family-like atmosphere at times. Those with a compassionate spirit to help patients get better is one of the keys to a successful CNA career Brittney.
Susan P
Contract Management
29
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Susan’s Answer
Hey Brittney,
If you're passionate about assisting others, why not broaden your horizons and consider other roles within the healthcare sector too? While being a CNA is a valuable role, it's also worth looking into the average salary in your locality. Don't just focus on the top-end figures, but the typical earnings.
Consider investigating into fields like Nursing (BSN), or roles in radiology like x-ray technicians, sonographers, or even those operating CT and MRI machines. Interestingly, many of these roles don't require a full four-year degree, but a combination of specific classes and hands-on training.
Speaking from personal experience, I've worked alongside medical assistants and found their average earnings to be relatively modest, with a limit to potential lifetime earnings. But remember, there are also roles like nurse practitioners who make a significant impact in patient care.
So, keep an open mind and explore the myriad of careers within the healthcare sector. You never know where your passion for helping others might lead you!
If you're passionate about assisting others, why not broaden your horizons and consider other roles within the healthcare sector too? While being a CNA is a valuable role, it's also worth looking into the average salary in your locality. Don't just focus on the top-end figures, but the typical earnings.
Consider investigating into fields like Nursing (BSN), or roles in radiology like x-ray technicians, sonographers, or even those operating CT and MRI machines. Interestingly, many of these roles don't require a full four-year degree, but a combination of specific classes and hands-on training.
Speaking from personal experience, I've worked alongside medical assistants and found their average earnings to be relatively modest, with a limit to potential lifetime earnings. But remember, there are also roles like nurse practitioners who make a significant impact in patient care.
So, keep an open mind and explore the myriad of careers within the healthcare sector. You never know where your passion for helping others might lead you!
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