To become a Certified Nursing Assistant, many high school graduates attend CNA classes in North Dakota.
A CNA’s Wide Range of Duties
The types of duties that CNAs perform are myriad. They range from mundane to crucial. A CNA may assist with food prep, shopping, menu planning and monitor the patient’s intake of food and liquids. In other settings, nursing assistants take a patient’s pulse, blood pressure, measure weight and respiration. The CNA may be the primary person in charge of recording these vital statistics. In some cases, the CNA will assist in collecting urine and other medical samples.
After attending CNA classes in North Dakota, a Certified Nursing Assistant may perform a wide range of duties in her everyday life. CNAs provide routine or bedside care for patients in a wide range of settings. They may work in hospitals providing bedside care for patients with acute illnesses or victims of accidents. A CNA may work in a nursing home, providing routine care for elderly or disabled patients. Alternatively, a CNA can work in a private residence, performing tasks for patients who are unable to perform self-care for a variety of reasons. CNAs may also work in rehabilitative centers, caring for patients recovering from accidents or strokes, and monitoring their physical rehabilitation.
In rehabilitative centers, the CNA may assist patients with exercises to increase their range of motion and help them recover from a devastating accident or debilitating illness.
In nursing homes and residences, the CNA may give the patient a sponge bath, shampoo the client’s hair, clip nails and perform other basic hygiene tasks – but only if the patient is unable to do this for himself or herself.
CNAs and Other Paraprofessionals
While doctors and registered nurses or RNs are considered licensed professionals, CNAs belong to a large class of health care paraprofessionals. This class of trained workers includes Surgery Technicians, Certified Nursing Assistants and more. CNAs hold many titles, including Home Health Aide, Geriatric Nurse, Patient Care Assistant, Auxiliary Nurse and many more.
Each state has its own written exam for the CNA, and offers a unique certification, so it is important to obtain state approval.
Other Meanings of CNA
It is important not to confuse the designation of Certified Nursing Assistant with other uses of the term CNA. These letters can have many other meanings including the Canadian Nurses Association, an organization that includes many RNs or Registered Nurses. CNA is an acronym that can also include the Caribbean News Agency, a Certified National Accountant, China Northern Airlines or even CNA Financial Corporation.
Patients of CNAs
Certified nursing assistants work with many different types of patients. Many patients that CNAs assist are the infirm elderly, who may not be able to accomplish routine tasks for themselves. These patients may only need assistance once or twice a week, with items like meal prep, taking showers and other routine tasks.
At the other extreme, a CNA may provide care daily or several times per day to a hospitalized patient who is in a coma or otherwise incapacitated.
Regardless of the type of patients the nursing assistant works with, it is important to get training by attending CNA classes in North Dakota before applying for state certification.