Have you ever thought about what it’s like to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)? A CNA is a key member of the healthcare team who helps patients with their daily activities, like eating and dressing. This role is crucial in hospitals and nursing homes.
Below, we explore how being a CNA is fulfilling because of its impact on patients and how it builds a close relationship between healthcare providers and patients. We also look at how this job is in high demand and the variety of workplace settings available. Read on!
Why Consider a Career as a CNA?
There are many different roles in healthcare, each with specific duties and benefits. Consequently, becoming a CNA presents its share of unique gains, including the following:
Learning and Growth Opportunities
A CNA role is a foundation that can lead to more opportunities in the healthcare field. The academic process takes you through essentials like ethics, medical terminology, basic nursing skills, and safety protocols. These are areas that you will need even as you advance your career.
That’s why passing the CNA test is a big deal. There are dozens of resources to help you do that. For instance, practice tests can increase your CNA certification test score by familiarizing yourself with the test format and questions.
Better Job Security and High Demand
Being a CNA comes with strong job security because there’s a need for more CNAs in the healthcare world. Many people need care, especially as they age, and CNAs help with such care. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare places need CNAs.
You can even combine your love for work with a hobby like travel and become a traveling CNA. Such CNAs take temporary assignments in various healthcare facilities, often through staffing agencies. They work in different locations, gaining diverse experiences while enjoying flexible and dynamic career options.
You Make a Difference
As a CNA, you make a big difference in patients’ lives. You are like a helping hand, assisting with tasks that can be challenging for patients, like getting dressed and eating. This support makes patients feel more comfortable and safe.
You may also help with taking vital signs and reporting changes in a patient. In short, CNAs are the ones who bring comfort and care directly to patients, making sure they have the best possible experience during their stay at a healthcare or nursing facility.
Offer Emotional Support to Patients
One of the special things about being a CNA is the close relationships between CNAs and patients. You spend time with patients, helping them with their needs and providing companionship. These relationships go beyond medical care; they are about trust and empathy. Patients often look forward to seeing you because you bring comfort and familiarity.
A Sense of Belonging
As a CNA, you’re not alone in your work. You’re a crucial part of a healthcare team that includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and other dedicated professionals. Each member has a specific role, and yours is fundamental.
Doctors often rely on your keen observations and detailed reports to make important decisions about a patient’s treatment plan. Hence, your ability to notice subtle changes in a patient’s condition is invaluable.
Nurses, too, appreciate your assistance with patient care tasks.
Being part of such a dedicated and compassionate team gives you more than just a job; it gives you a sense of belonging.
A Variety of Workplace Settings
CNAs have the chance to work in many different places. They can be in hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, or assisted living facilities.
If you like a fast-paced environment, a hospital might be your choice. Hospitals are often busy, and CNAs here assist diverse patients.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed and personal setting, working in private homes might be perfect. You care for one person at a time and build strong one-on-one relationships.
Assisted living facilities offer something in between. They care for people who need some help but want to maintain some independence.
Helpful Physical Activity
You’re always on the move, helping patients in different ways, from helping them walk to assisting with safe transfers.
This continuous movement has several positive effects. For example, it serves as a form of exercise, helping you stay physically fit and healthy.
In addition, the active nature of your work promotes better circulation and energy levels, keeping you alert and focused.
Lastly, this physical activity directly enhances the quality of care you provide patients. Your ability to assist patients with mobility and daily tasks is improved, ensuring their comfort and safety.
Final Thoughts
CNAs are healthcare heroes who bring comfort and care. They spend more time with patients than doctors and nurses. Hence, they help these healthcare workers to monitor a patient’s progress.
A CNA is very active. Therefore, becoming one means you get regular exercise as you move around assisting patients. Since there’s a high demand for CNAs, you enjoy better job security and can work in various workplace settings, from hospitals to assisted living facilities. You can even work in different regions as a traveling CNA.