CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT - CARE GIVER COURSE
Title: CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT - CARE GIVER COURSE
A Day in the Life of a Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistants, also known as CNAs, work in a variety of healthcare settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living centers, adult day care centers, and pediatric wards.
They play an important part in the healthcare system, providing direct patient care and support.
Below, we've discussed exactly what a daily routine looks like for a CNA, as well as the responsibilities and challenges they may face while being a nursing assistant.
A CNA Morning Routine
CNAs follow a strict morning routine. Some tasks include making breakfast, checking schedules for the day ahead and taking vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
Other jobs include:
- Following the morning patient care routine.
- Cleaning/organizing the patient room.
- Helping with patient mobility and self-care, including helping them get out of bed, brush their teeth, and dress themselves.
After the morning routine is carried out, some CNAs will have a late morning routine, too, which can consist of changing bedsheets, assisting with any examinations, and providing snacks.
Assisting With Patient Care
Another important task for a CNA is to carry out Activities Of Daily Living (ADLs); these tasks are personalized and prioritized according to each patient's needs.
ADLs are often what make up a morning and night routine for each patient.
They also monitor the patient's mental health and behavior during the day, working on building trust and improving their overall quality of life.
Some common ADLs carried out are:
- Toileting - Using the toilet as well as changing incontinence products.
- Bathing - Making sure the patient is clean and comfortable.
- Grooming - Assist with grooming needs like brushing hair and teeth.
- Dressing - Getting the patient dressed according to their preferences.
- Mobility - Transferring from bed to chairs, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.
- Feeding - Assist patients with eating nutritious meals.
- Hydration - Make sure the patient is getting enough fluids for optimal hydration.
Monitoring Patient Health
Under the supervision of registered nurses, CNAs can have a profound impact on a patient's well-being by monitoring their health during the day.
Apart from keeping track of vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure, they keep nurses informed of any significant health changes or complications to prevent the patient's health from becoming worse. The nurses then adjust their healthcare plan as needed for their condition.
Some of the key tasks CNAs have to stay vigilant about are:
- Observing and reporting - Keeping an eye out for changes such as skin color, behavior and breathing, then reporting these back to the nurse.
- Vital signs record - Tracking vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse.
- Pain and discomfort assistance - Treating any signs of pain or discomfort promptly.
- Helping with mobility and positioning - Helping with the right kind of positioning can help with the prevention of bed sores.
- Patient hygiene - Keeping the patient clean to avoid infections.
Administering Medications and Treatments
Certified nursing assistants can administer certain medications, they may not be able to give injections. They are responsible for administering medications in certain dosages and at certain times.
The CNA must have a good understanding of the drug and any potential side effects to ensure the patient is safe.
Some jobs for administering medications and treatments include:
- Administering medications - Some CNAs are authorized to administer oral medications and topical creams.
- Helping with treatments - An example of this is assisting during wound care or keeping an eye out for infections and reporting any changes.
- Making sure treatment plans are followed.
- Monitoring for side effects.
- Documenting administration.
Collaboration With Healthcare Team
CNAs are very important in a healthcare team and work closely with nurses and doctors to ensure patients are receiving the highest quality care in their treatment plan.
Some tasks include:
- Communication - CNAs communicate with the healthcare team to report any updates on the patient's condition or any concerns and changes.
- Helping with transfer - They can assist with documentation and communication with the receiving team when patients are undergoing a transfer in health facilities.
- Designing care plans - CNAs get a rare insight into patients' needs and conditions as they get to know them, which helps to create the best-suited care plan.
- Assisting nurses/doctors - CNAs are there to assist nurses with any matter; this could be mobility, emotional support, or taking vital signs in an assessment.
The End Of Shift
CNAs need to ensure everything is prepared properly for the next shift for optimal care.
End-of-shift tasks include:
- Complete documentation - All records, such as medicine administration, vital sign recordings, and progress notes, need to be up-to-date.
- Give hand-off reports - Ensuring the hand-off report is ready for the next shift, including any changes, vital signs, and medicine treatments.
- Room clean - The patient's room will be organized, and supplies will be stocked and ready for the next shift.
- Communication - Before leaving the shift, the CNA should report changes and updates to the head nurse.
Conclusion
CNAs are an essential part of a healthcare team; they are the main caregivers to patients and, most importantly, provide companionship.
If you are considering a career in CNA, this article shows exactly what to expect in the day in the life of a CNA. This job is extremely rewarding even with its responsibilities and challenges, allowing you to make a direct impact on patient's lives.
