From A Cna Training Class To Nursing School - What The Daily Responsibilities Of Nurses Are
Some people use the opportunity of taking a CNA training class to become a certified nursing/nurse's assistant/aide (CNA) as a stepping stone to other healthcare careers such as becoming a nurse. If you are considering going from a CNA training class to nursing school and are wondering what the daily responsibilities of nurses are, this article shares some of this information so that you can make an informed decision on whether this is the next step in the healthcare field for you to take or not.
A CNA Training Class and a Career As A Certified Nursing Assistant
CNAs are in great demand in the healthcare field because they are usually tasked with taking care of the various basic needs as well as emotional needs of patients and residents. The basic needs of patients include but are not limited to feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, escorting, taking vitals, changing bed linens, etc, which makes CNAs a crucial part of a hospital, nursing home, etc, and also why there is a constant demand for CNAs.
In order to become a CNA, one must attend a CNA training class and upon completion endeavor to take the certification exam which varies from state to state. Once the certification exam is passed, one can then become a CNA and be included in the state registry for nurses' assistants.
A CNA training class is offered by many institutions such as community colleges, vocational training centers, some high schools and even the Red Cross has chapters across the nation that provide the highly valued Red Cross CNA training class.
The length of time that the CNA training class lasts varies from state to state and from one training center to another. Usually the CNA training classes will last from four to six weeks but can be a little longer. However, becoming a certified nursing assistant is still one of if not the quickest way to enter the healthcare field.
A CNA training class usually covers the terminology that every CNA ought to know, how to perform various tasks safely and properly such as feeding, bathing, lifting, taking patient vitals such as temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, etc, infection control, etc.
The person that thrives as a CNA is usually someone who is compassionate and enjoys helping those in need, has great communication skills, can work effectively as part of a team, is patient, reliable, etc. It truly takes a special kind of person to do well as a CNA.
While this is a great job for many, it can also be a foot in the door for others who have additional career ambitions and are not content to remain a certified nursing assistant. One of the common careers for CNAs to go into is nursing. There are many types of nursing jobs with different nursing responsibilities.
From a CNA Training Class to Nursing School - Duties Of Nurses
As mentioned previously, there are many different types of nurses with diverse responsibilities such as emergency room nurses who are in charge of assessing the condition of the patient and follow the doctor's instruction; traveling nurses that are crucial when a patient is en route to a hospital; operating room nurses who assist surgeons and usually monitor not just the patient but the doctor in charge as well; and so forth. The following are a couple of common nurse designations and the job responsibilities.
The majority of practicing nurses are registered nurses (RNs). This career is extremely popular and in order to become a registered nurse, one has to get a bachelor's degree, a diploma from a nursing program that is approved or an associate's degree. Some of the duties of RNs include treating patients, recording patients' symptoms and medical histories, administering treatments and medications, educating patients and the general public about medical conditions, operating medical equipment, patient rehabilitation and follow up, diet advice and information, may run immunization clinics and other general health screening initiatives, blood drives, seminars, etc.
Becoming an RN may also allow one to specialize in other nursing areas that were previously mentioned such as emergency nurses, operating room nurses, hospice care nurses, flight or travel nurses, etc, with additional training.
Training is usually provided at technical or vocational schools that lasts up to a year. LPNs much like CNAs are usually under the direct supervision of RNs and doctors. They take care of sick patients, the injured, disabled and convalescent patients. They provide basic patient bedside care, take patient vitals, monitor catheters, apply patient dressings, inject patients, give enemas, treat patient bed sores, provide massages as necessary, give alcohol rubs, complete routine lab tests, etc. An experienced LPN may also have nursing assistants that he or she supervises.
A CNA Training Class and a Career As A Certified Nursing Assistant
CNAs are in great demand in the healthcare field because they are usually tasked with taking care of the various basic needs as well as emotional needs of patients and residents. The basic needs of patients include but are not limited to feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, escorting, taking vitals, changing bed linens, etc, which makes CNAs a crucial part of a hospital, nursing home, etc, and also why there is a constant demand for CNAs.
In order to become a CNA, one must attend a CNA training class and upon completion endeavor to take the certification exam which varies from state to state. Once the certification exam is passed, one can then become a CNA and be included in the state registry for nurses' assistants.
A CNA training class is offered by many institutions such as community colleges, vocational training centers, some high schools and even the Red Cross has chapters across the nation that provide the highly valued Red Cross CNA training class.
The length of time that the CNA training class lasts varies from state to state and from one training center to another. Usually the CNA training classes will last from four to six weeks but can be a little longer. However, becoming a certified nursing assistant is still one of if not the quickest way to enter the healthcare field.
A CNA training class usually covers the terminology that every CNA ought to know, how to perform various tasks safely and properly such as feeding, bathing, lifting, taking patient vitals such as temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, etc, infection control, etc.
The person that thrives as a CNA is usually someone who is compassionate and enjoys helping those in need, has great communication skills, can work effectively as part of a team, is patient, reliable, etc. It truly takes a special kind of person to do well as a CNA.
While this is a great job for many, it can also be a foot in the door for others who have additional career ambitions and are not content to remain a certified nursing assistant. One of the common careers for CNAs to go into is nursing. There are many types of nursing jobs with different nursing responsibilities.
From a CNA Training Class to Nursing School - Duties Of Nurses
As mentioned previously, there are many different types of nurses with diverse responsibilities such as emergency room nurses who are in charge of assessing the condition of the patient and follow the doctor's instruction; traveling nurses that are crucial when a patient is en route to a hospital; operating room nurses who assist surgeons and usually monitor not just the patient but the doctor in charge as well; and so forth. The following are a couple of common nurse designations and the job responsibilities.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
The majority of practicing nurses are registered nurses (RNs). This career is extremely popular and in order to become a registered nurse, one has to get a bachelor's degree, a diploma from a nursing program that is approved or an associate's degree. Some of the duties of RNs include treating patients, recording patients' symptoms and medical histories, administering treatments and medications, educating patients and the general public about medical conditions, operating medical equipment, patient rehabilitation and follow up, diet advice and information, may run immunization clinics and other general health screening initiatives, blood drives, seminars, etc.
Becoming an RN may also allow one to specialize in other nursing areas that were previously mentioned such as emergency nurses, operating room nurses, hospice care nurses, flight or travel nurses, etc, with additional training.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Training is usually provided at technical or vocational schools that lasts up to a year. LPNs much like CNAs are usually under the direct supervision of RNs and doctors. They take care of sick patients, the injured, disabled and convalescent patients. They provide basic patient bedside care, take patient vitals, monitor catheters, apply patient dressings, inject patients, give enemas, treat patient bed sores, provide massages as necessary, give alcohol rubs, complete routine lab tests, etc. An experienced LPN may also have nursing assistants that he or she supervises.
Source...