CNA is short for Certified Nursing Assistant. Other names for this profession are nurse aides, home health care workers and orderlies. This is a very popular profession because it is easy to learn and you can advance relatively quickly. In this position, it is almost entirely hands on everyday.

CNA training is required in order to become certified. You must have a GED or a high school diploma to enter in an eight to twelve week training course, which you can complete at your local community college, hospital or medical facility. There are also a wide variety of online colleges that offer these courses for a fee. Although some courses may actually pay you to train which is a nice little bonus.

Free CNA training is often offered by facilities in order to recruit employees. In return for helping you become licensed, you agree to work at that facility for a period of time.

Once you have finished the CNA training course you must complete a state exam for the complete certification. The rules and regulations of these will vary from state to state. After you have completed both steps you can send out resumes to hospitals, at home health care operations, mental health hospitals and private individuals requiring short to long-term care.

The starting salary for a CNA is generally in the neighborhood of 19,000 and 30,000 dollars. Top earners in this field can make up to 35,000 dollars per year. Another great aspect of this profession is almost every facility that is hiring CNA’s offers some type of “sign-on” bonus.

In training you will learn how to take and monitor blood pressure, how to properly move a patient from a hospital bed to a wheel chair, proper techniques for turning a patient or positioning a patient to avoid bed sores, how to bathe or shower the patient, how to recognize when a patient has become depressed, catheter care, how to avoid infection and contamination as well as feeding and grooming the patient. You will also learn to identify and report abuse or neglect if you suspect that a patient has been treated in that way. This can be common in some larger and state funded homes due to the volume of people that require around the clock care.

Being a CNA can be difficult at times but can also give you a sense of accomplishment in caring for someone who could not otherwise care for themselves. There are challenging obstacles to overcome in the workplace as well. You may be required to care for up to ten patients at a time while working a twelve-hour shift. The people on your team may not show up for work leaving you short staffed and having to pick up the slack and extra work. However if you have the patience and willingness to care for others then you will exceed in your career and advance throughout the ranks of the health care community.

If you enjoy giving to others and feel fulfillment as you care for your patients then you will really love and look forward to doing your job. I hope that you chose this profession and that you contribute your compassion to the incapacitated members of our community.

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