How to Set Professional Nursing Goals?

For the purpose of advancing their career in the nursing field, CNAs and nurses need to have certain professional goals. Setting professional goals will give you clarity about your career and help you decide on the specialization you want to go in for in the nursing profession and what path to take. Here are some guidelines on how to set professional nursing goals.

It is important for healthcare professional to keep in mind that the medical field is always undergoing some changes and there are new innovations coming up all the time. In this case, the nursing professionals need to be updated with the latest changes by continuously educating themselves. If you wish to take a certain path in the nursing career, then you need to set short term goals that will help you achieve your aim. CNAs need to always put stress on their strengths and focus on getting rid of their weak points so as to become an expert in the nursing field.

Lifelong learning is an important aspect if you wish to have a successful career in the field of nursing. The professional nursing goal will most likely be greatly influenced by your personal values. Setting professional goals will guide you in your career path and help you take steps towards a rewarding nursing career.

How to set professional nursing goals? 

Following are some guidelines on setting professional nursing goals: 

• When you are setting professional nursing goals, make sure that the goals are not generic ones. It is very important that you set the goals taking into consideration your personal situation. The goals should be such that they help you in your professional development. You also need to set a specific time frame to achieve these goals and take necessary steps. This will act as a stepping stone in having a successful career in nursing. 
• You also need to find out and explore various other branches of nursing. By specializing in a certain subject of nursing, you can acquire all the necessary knowledge and skills in that field and this will make you more eligible for getting a job. You can talk to other healthcare professional and nurses and discuss about their experiences in the nursing field before you select your specialization subjects. 
• You can take help of career counselors to decide your career path in the medical industry. You can also check with various hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities about what the job requirements are and whether you meet the criteria for employment. Bear in mind that finding out about job requirements and consulting career counselors is part of attaining your professional goals. 
• You can set long term professional goals and then break them down into smaller, achievable goals. Getting a good performance review or working some time extra in the healthcare facility are examples of such smaller, achievable and short term professional goals. You can create a plan by talking to your seniors or supervisors and ask them about tips on career advancement in the same healthcare facility. 
• Once you are ready with the list of all the professional goals, you need to track them in a proper manner to ensure that you are taking all the required steps to achieve the goals in the specified time frame. You can make use of excel spreadsheets or simply list your goals in a calendar software to keep track of the same. After you have achieved one goal, move on to the next goal and keep progressing in your professional life. 

Education and Specialization 

There are certain specific education as well as training needs to have a career in the nursing field. To be a competent nurse, one needs to meet certain professional and career goals and objectives. This ensures that the nurses are more professional and eligible for a wide range of career opportunities. Other than fulfilling the basic educational requirements, nurses can look for specialization in certain areas to gain expertise in a particular field.

For becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) in US, it is necessary for candidates to graduate from a nursing training program which is nationally approved. Candidates also need to clear the national licensing examination (National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN). Certain states may have some extra requirements to be eligible for working as a RN and you need to check the state requirements.

Nurses can also specialize in nursing subjects like pediatrics, oncology, emergency room or gerontology. Specialization ensures that you gain expert knowledge in that particular field and increases your chances of employment.

Workplace 

Nurses have various options to choose from as regards the working environments based upon their educational qualifications and areas of specialization. Nurses can work in hospitals, hospices, clinics, adult day care centers, nursing homes and schools and so on.

Health Care Business 

Nursing equips the nurses and CNAs with all the necessary knowledge in the medical field and some of the CNAs may choose to get into the healthcare business. The CNAs can then ensure that the objectives of the medical industry are being met by helping patients and individuals who need nursing care. Healthcare professionals may also look for business options by dealing with insurance as well as some of the pharmaceutical companies.

How to be a Nurse Manager?

A Nurse Manager is basically responsible for supervising other nurses and the staff in the healthcare facility. The nurse managers have to ensure that all the medical policies and procedures are being adhered to by the nursing professionals and that the patients are given quality nursing care. Here are some guidelines on how to be a nurse manager.

As a nurse manager, you are responsible for keeping in touch and communicating with individuals at all the levels of nursing and delegate tasks to the staff. You are also in charge of coordinating all the healthcare services. You may be required to work with doctors or physicians in order to plan unit activities for effective care of the patients. Nurse managers work in close coordination with all the nursing employees as well as evaluate the job performance of the employees. They are also responsible for processing all the documentation and paperwork like departmental budget plans, disciplinary actions taken against any of the employees, and health conditions of the patients.

How to be a Nurse Manager? 

Following are the guidelines for becoming a nurse manager: 

• The first step in becoming a nurse manager is to graduate from a nursing school. You first need to be a nurse and only then can you aim of being a nurse manager. Thus, you need to obtain the license for Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). You need to successfully finish the undergraduate training and then spend a minimum of one term helping patients in any healthcare setting. 
• After completing the undergraduate training in the field of nursing, you can start working in hospitals, clinics or other healthcare facilities for at least two years. While you are on-the-job, you can understand all the medical procedures and take a close look at how the nurse managers handle their responsibilities. 
• You can also pursue some higher education and complete your graduation with a BSN degree and then a master’s degree in the medical field. You can also look for internship programs to gain some additional experience in the healthcare field. 
• To become a nurse manager, you need to be open to learn all the important aspects of the business of nursing. You need to gain expert knowledge in handling and taking care of the sick patients and understand how to communicate effectively with other nurses and the staff as well as the doctors. You need to ensure that the patients get the best nursing care possible. 
• You can also look out for a mentor who will guide you in a proper manner in pursuing a successful career as a nurse manager. This mentor can be your role model and you can follow the instructions to achieve your career goals. 

How to be successful as a Nurse Manager? 

Your job as a nurse manager can be quite difficult and challenging but at the same time it can be considered to be very rewarding as you help provide quality nursing care to the patients and ensure that the nurses handle their responsibilities effectively. The nurse manager may have to communicate with the friends and family members of the patients to explain them the health status of the patient. They may also have to meet with the healthcare facility administrators and supervise the duties of the staff. Being successful as a nurse manager requires passion, excellent organizational as well as leadership qualities and very good communication skills.

Following are some tips to help you become successful as a Nurse Manager: 

• As a nurse manager it is very necessary that you brush up your communication skills. You need to be good at listening and understanding what the patient has to say so that you can know what they exactly need. You need to communicate this information about the patient's requirements effectively to the staff and delegate the tasks accordingly. You need to provide support to the patients as well as encourage the staff to perform well. You need to express your opinions in the right way so that you convey the right messages to the concerned persons. You may at times have to organize formal meetings with the staff to pass on important messages. Hence, developing good communication skills is very important to become a successful nurse manager. 
• You also need to do some research and stay updated with the latest trends in the medical industry. You can take help of medical journals to gain insights into the latest happenings in the nursing field. You have to guide your staff in all the medical aspects and hence it is necessary for you to first be updated with all the current trends and knowledge of the nursing field. 
• You need to always strive for perfection and excellence by working on your weaknesses and emphasizing your strengths at all times. You have to carry out administrative duties as well as management duties, and handling everything requires a lot of patience and dedication. Hence, you should be willing to put in your best for the job as a nurse manager to be successful in whatever you are doing.

Health Tips for CNAs

CNAs are mainly responsible for providing complete care to the patients. This involves helping the patients with their daily activities like brushing, bathing, dressing and undressing, grooming as well as moving. The CNAs have to also measure and record the patients' vitals like blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and so on and report the same to the doctors or senior nurses. In fulfilling all these job responsibilities, the CNAs need to be very patient as well as keep a balance of their physical and mental health state. Here are some health tips for CNAs.

CNAs constantly have to be on their toes to help and assist the patients. This can be physically very stressful as the CNAs constantly need to move around from one place to the other. CNAs may at times also have to lift the patients which can be quite difficult. As CNAs, you may also have to help the patients move with the help of a wheelchair. If the patients are weak and unable to stand, you may have to provide support to them. While helping the patients to move or lifting the patients, the CNAs need to pay careful attention that they do not injure themselves or the patients. In case of patients who are very heavy or overweight, the CNAs can take help from their colleagues to lift the patients.

For doing all these tasks, the CNAs need to keep themselves physically fit. Thus CNAs should develop their physical strength by doing exercises on a regular basis. They can do push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups to maintain the physical strength of their body. Doing these kind of exercises will help the CNAs in building muscle strength and be physically strong. Regular weight training and weight lifting exercises will also help the CNAs develop a lot of strength. CNAs can also go for morning walks to keep themselves fresh throughout the day. This will also keep them active and help them focus on their job.

Practicing the right methods or techniques to lift the patients is also very important. It is recommended that you lift the patients by putting pressure on the knees so that you can avoid any kind of injuries to the patient or to yourself. Keeping the right posture is equally important. You need to balance your weight as well as the weight of the patient while lifting them. Thus, CNAs need to be physically fit and strong enough to handle these job responsibilities in a proper manner.

Along with physical health, CNAs also need to pay good attention to maintaining proper mental health. Attending to sick patients all the time can be psychologically very taxing and CNAs need to ensure that they are calm and in the right state of mind to take good care of the ailing patients. CNAs at times also have to go to the extent of providing mental and emotional support to the patients as well as give them hope about their recovery. For this purpose, it is essential that the CNAs themselves are in the right frame of mind and are happy and cheerful at all times. The patients may at times get angry or remove their frustration on the CNAs. CNAs, however, need to control the situation in a calm and composed manner and they cannot afford to lose their temper in any condition. For this purpose, the CNAs can practice some spiritual or mind exercises like meditation to keep them calm.

CNAs at times have to let go of their holidays and work in continuous shifts. At times, they may have to stay up nights to be by the side of the patients. This can be very tiring. Hence, CNAs should allow themselves regular breaks for proper relaxation and take care that they do not drain themselves physically or mentally.

CNAs also need to be emotionally very strong. CNAs may have to face difficult situations like death of patients. This can be very disturbing. However, CNAs need to know how to handle such difficult situations in the right manner. They cannot take things too personally or else they will end up with a bad performance on the job. They have to be prepared to face all kinds of circumstances, but not get affected by them in a negative way. The CNAs also cannot be too close to the patients as this boding may hamper them in case of the death of the patient. The CNAs need to keep away from any kinds of emotional blocks and maintain a good emotional balance at all times. If the CNAs are getting emotionally disturbed, it is best to seek professional help and get back on track at the earliest.

Thus, being in good health is one of the prime responsibilities of all the CNAs. Being emotionally, physically and mentally strong is important to ensure that the patients receive the best quality nursing care. Unless the CNAs themselves are in a good health condition, they cannot handle the health problems of the patients, and hence CNAs should always keep themselves mentally and physically fit.

Goals and Objectives for Nurse Managers

Due to streamlining of various management layers by the medical institutions, there is increase in the number of responsibilities of the nurse managers. There are various roles assumed by nurse managers such as supervision of junior healthcare professionals, budgeting, ensuring the delivery of quality nursing care and so on. Nurse Managers also have to keep themselves updated with the latest technological innovations in the field of medicine and different healthcare regulations. Here is an overview of the goals and objectives for nurse managers.

Nurse Managers are a critical part of the healthcare industry. They are mainly responsible for ensuring proper patient care. They also recruit employees in the nursing field and supervise the staff in the healthcare facilities. Nurse Managers may experience certain problems like budgetary constraints, job pressure, handling of stakeholders and certain labor problems. However, even in such difficult circumstances, the nurse managers need to stay calm and handle the stressful situations in a proper manner. The main goal of the nurse managers is to ensure effective implementation of all the medical policies and rules and regulations which in turn ensures complete patient care and devotion for healthcare services.

Basic Goals 

The aim of a nurse manager is proper administration of the healthcare unit and supervision of the subordinates. Clinical responsibilities are part of the nurse manager's job. Other than the clinical duties, the nurse managers need to also aim to rightly evaluate the job performance of the staff that they are managing.

Nurse Managers are also responsible for organizational planning. They also need to properly handle budgeting aspects and take care of risk management. They need to direct the medical or healthcare services and instruct the staff to perform their tasks in an efficient manner. They need to ensure that all the duties meet the set medical standards and comply with the quality care needs.

Specific Objectives 

One of the objectives of the nurse manager is to help create the course curriculum and provide the necessary training to the professional and non-professional staff. They need to effectively handle all the clinical tasks for department of Utilization Management. They also need to coordinate various kinds of medical functions associated with Utilization Management (UM) as well as Case Management (CM) in order to ensure effective medical facilities. A Nurse Manager acts as a mentor for the staff and constantly needs to encourage and motivate the staff to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

Day to Day Commitments 

A nurse manager needs to ensure smooth and proper functioning or working of the healthcare unit that they have been assigned. They need to check if all the healthcare plans are being executed in a proper and timely manner. As per the changing needs in the medical industry, the nurse managers have to update their knowledge and revise the set plans.

On a day to day basis, nurse managers need to handle resources and delegate different tasks and allocate duties as per the capacity of the healthcare professionals. Nurse Managers also receive and evaluate as well as analyze various kinds of medical reports and healthcare information.

Long Term Goals 

Nurse Managers also need to take part in formulating all the long term plans for the healthcare facility that they are working in. They may require communicating all the policies and procedures to the concerned departments or agencies. They also have to assist in creating budgets and planning purchases as well as different kinds of expenses.

Staff Retention and Recruitment 

The responsibility of recruitment as well as retention of staff also lies with the nurse manager. The nurse manager has to ensure that the employees who are recruited are well qualified and capable of taking good care of the patients. They need to continuously encourage and motivate the staff to perform really well and provide quality nursing care to the patients. It is also the duty of the nurse manager to ensure that the employees have fulfilled the licensure and certification requirements as per the state as well as the federal laws and regulations.

Quality Health Care Delivery 

Nurse Managers need to ensure that all the medical or healthcare policies and procedures are being adhered to. They are also in charge of supervising resident care aides, child care workers, as well as lower-level supervisors in a particular ward or healthcare unit to check whether the goals of the heal institution are being efficiently met.

Electronic Medical Records 

As per the healthcare regulation that was passed by the federal government in the year 2009, it is mandatory for all medical institutions to maintain electronic medical records. The responsibility of the nurse manager is to ensure safety and confidentiality of the records of the patients in the healthcare facility. The access to these records should be given only to medical professionals as and when required.

Education and Training 

After gaining many years of relevant experience in the nursing field, a Registered Nurse (RN) can become a nurse manager. The Registered Nurses need to update their licensure so that they can attend the patients whenever necessary. You can also acquire higher educational degrees such as a master's degree in nursing administration or a master of science in nursing to fulfill your aim of becoming a nurse manager.

Code of Ethics for CNAs

CNAs are responsible for taking care of the sick patients in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. They need to provide constant care and support to the ailing patients to make them feel comfortable and help them recover fast. Patients spend majority of their time with the CNAs and it is the duty of the CNAs to take good care of them. Here is an overview of code of ethics for CNAs.

CNAs should be very caring and compassionate while dealing with the patients. They also need to have high patience levels to be by the patient’s side all the time and help them do their daily activities. The patients are sick and not in a condition to do their routine activities. Hence, it is necessary for the CNAs to be helpful and considerate towards the patients. The patients may be experiencing some kind of physical pain and may vent out their frustration on the CNAs. CNAs cannot get angry on the patients. On the other hand, CNAs need to be calm and polite while handling such difficult situations. CNAs need to strictly adhere to the code of ethics in the medical profession to ensure that the patients get the best quality nursing care.

CNAs need to understand that the sick patients may be facing certain problems and may be a little depressed and worried about their health condition. It is the duty of the CNAs to encourage the patients and cheer them up to help them feel lighter and hopeful about their recovery. This can be done when the CNAs are empathetic towards the patients and have a good understanding of their situation.

There are certain principles laid down by the code of ethics for CNAs. These principles need to be strictly followed by all the nursing professionals to ensure that all the medical practices and procedures carried out are ethical and serve the best interests of the patients. The code of ethics for CNAs also gives clarity on the roles and job responsibilities of CNAs.

When an individual is not mentally and/or physically fit, he cannot cater to the health concerns of other individuals. Thus, it is very important for the CNAs to be physically, emotionally, mentally and socially very fit. They also need to be in a proper spiritual state of mind. In order to stay fit, CNAs can follow some routine health activities such as taking care of their diet and nutrition, giving time for proper relaxation and going for routine check-ups to ensure that they are in a good health condition. When on duty, the CNAs may at times feel sick or uneasy. In such cases, it is best to report this situation immediately to the seniors or the concerned persons in the healthcare facility so that the CNAs can take a leave and a substitute CNA can be arranged to take care of the patients.

CNAs also need to be well groomed and maintain cleanliness and hygiene when on duty. They have to follow all the rules and regulations laid down by the healthcare facility that they are working in, and ensure that they perform their duties up to the mark. They need to be extremely loyal towards the patients as well as to the staff in the medical facility. It is important that the CNAs do not discriminate the patients on grounds of ethnicity, sex, caste, creed or religion. They need to at all times respect the needs and rights of the patients and take care of them in the best possible manner. Similarly, the tasks done by the CNAs also need to be given due respect and cannot be looked down upon by other individuals. Following these simple codes of ethics ensures a healthy atmosphere in the healthcare facility.

CNAs need to possess complete and thorough knowledge of all the medical terminologies, practices and procedures. In case the CNAs are not aware of certain things, then it is best that they consult the seniors or experts in the medical field before they can jeopardize the whole medical process and risk the life of the patients.

CNAs also need to stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the medical field. They can go for additional training courses to stay abreast of all the latest developments in the healthcare industry. This ensures that the CNAs know all the latest medical procedures, treatments and techniques to help the patients in the best way possible.

CNAs also need to follow the principles of confidentiality when it comes to information about the patient's health condition and their treatment. The CNAs need to disclose the necessary medical information only to the concerned doctors and senior nurses as and when required, and need not discuss this information with other individuals. CNAs thus need to follow the code of ethics in a proper manner to ensure that the patients receive the best nursing care.

CNA Uniforms

Uniforms are an important aspect in any profession from the hygiene as well as aesthetic point of view. CNA uniforms are necessary in the medical profession as they not only help in increasing the confidence levels of employees, but also generate positive vibes. The CNA uniforms act as a constant reminder for CNAs of the job duties and responsibilities and also gives you a sense of belonging for the healthcare facility that you are working in.

It is necessary for the CNAs to wear the CNA uniforms as it helps other individuals to identify the medical professionals. The uniforms help in differentiating nursing aides from Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs). Here is an overview of the various trends and uniform types in the medical industry.

When the occupation of nursing evolved, the CNA uniforms were of white color for several years. This may be related to the fact that nuns also wear white; the color that stands for purity. However, later on as there were many changing trends in the healthcare industry, the color of the CNA uniforms also changed from white to various other color shades. The traditional CNA uniforms that were quite popular in the 19th century are rarely seen in today's times.

 Today, there exist many shades of color for the CNA uniforms for men as well as women. Nowadays, each healthcare facility has their own sense of color coding for the CNA uniforms, and hence various different styles of uniforms exist. Many a times, scrubs are used in the medical profession as they are comfortable. The quality of the cloth tends to vary. Earlier, cotton clothes were being used which needed to be scratched. However, today scrubs are used and there in absolutely no need to starch these dresses or uniforms.

Scrubs can also be stitched and designed in a very fashionable manner. Hence, majority of the healthcare settings opt for scrubs. There are also various colors as well as different designs available in case of scrubs, giving the CNAs a lot of variety to choose from. CNAs working in child care units can select bright, attractive colors for the scrubs with nice designs that will make the children feel good. Smiley faces, cartoon characters or teddy bear designs are some examples of the various designs that CNAs dealing with child care can choose from.

There are certain medical facilities that allow the CNA employees to choose their own dressing style while adhering to the traditional dress code. This helps the medical facility in identifying a particular theme of dressing for employees.

CNAs at all times have to be on their toes to take care of the patients in the healthcare facilities. Hence, they should select the CNA uniforms carefully such that they are comfortable while on duty. Right from selecting the kind of shoes to the dress, everything should be selected in a way that suits you best and at the same time you can carry it with comfort and ease. In case the dress is not comfortable, then your focus will always be diverted from the job towards the dress that will affect your work in a negative way.

CNAs have to assist the patients in carrying out their daily tasks like brushing, bathing, feeding, grooming as well as moving the patients. They may have to lift the patients and bend many a times to help the patients with exercises and other routine activities. Thus, the uniform needs to be chosen such that it helps the CNAs perform all these tasks at ease.

There are various alternatives available for CNA uniforms for men. Men generally prefer to go in for navy blue or water-green colors while choosing their uniforms. Both blue as well as green are cool colors and have properties of calmness. Men can accompany the uniforms with short jackets that add to the style quotient as well as help in preventing infections. The shoes can be chosen to match with the uniform, and you should select the shoes in which you are comfortable to move around.

Purchasing CNA uniforms is quite simple. Departmental stores and super marts like Wal-Mart as well as Kmart might have a variety of these uniforms. You can also shop for the uniforms online and buy them from eBay or Amazon. You need to however choose the uniforms that meet the standard requirements set by your employer.

CNAs are an important part of the medical industry responsible for patient care, and hence while choosing the uniforms they should match the design as well as the color and style of the uniforms to suit their profession. The CNA uniforms should not only be comfortable but also be soothing to the people who are looking at you. This will ensure that you are happy and comfortable while you are on duty as well as others are happy to see you.

Overview of State Nurse Aide Registry

Candidates aspiring to pursue a career in nursing or professionals working in the healthcare sector must surely have heard of the State Nurse Aide Registry. Professionals in the medical or healthcare field tend to be associated with this Registry right from the beginning of their career till the time they actually quit their job or retire. Thus, it will be helpful if the healthcare professionals understand how the state governments maintain the Nurse Aide Registry. Here is an overview of State Nurse Aide Registry.

The primary objective of the state governments is to take care of the safety and well being of the citizens as well as impose certain laws and maintain order and discipline. The state governments also have to ensure that the citizens get quality medical treatments and proper nursing care as and when required. For this purpose, the state governments create some specific bodies that consist of experts who are from the healthcare or medical field. The idea for establishing such bodies is to keep track of the professional conduct of the nurses and make sure that citizens are in a good health condition. Only individuals in a good physical as well as mental state are recruited in the nursing profession, so that they can carry out their duties and responsibilities in a proper manner. The Nurse Aide Registry also has to ensure that the candidates possess a clean background which is free from any kind of criminal charges like abuse, negligence or some kind of theft.

Other than meeting the safety and healthcare needs of the citizens and the patients, it is also the duty of the registry to ensure that the various demands and requirements of the medical and healthcare organizations are properly taken care of, given the changes taking place and innovations coming up in the medical field.

The records of all the candidates who have appeared for the CNA certification examination are maintained by the State Nurse Aide Registry. The registry is responsible for checking and verifying the background of the candidates, their health conditions, their educational qualifications as well as their competencies to appear for the exam. After the candidates demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and practical or clinical skills in a successful manner, the registry issues the CNA certification to the candidates and their names are then recorded in the database of the registry. The registry then monitors the performance of the CNA and keeps the CNAs informed about the certification renewal requirements.

Whenever a nurse is being hired in the medical industry, it is essential that this information is reported to the State Nurse Aide Registry. In case the registry has some information about this particular nurse who is being hired that reveals that the nurse has been found guilty of any kind of patient abuse or some professional misconduct, then such a nurse cannot be hired.

The State Nurse Aide Registry helps the nurses as well as the employers for verification of the CNA certification. The registry can be contacted through phone call, email or by a personal visit. There is an auto-generated response which guides the caller to file their specific requests and the inquiry is then entered into the automated system. After receiving the request, the registry checks for all the relevant information about the employee and sends a written response by way of an email or a fax to the employer.

The main responsibility of the State Nurse Aide Registry is to keep all the records of the CNAs who are presently working in different healthcare facilities in the state in an up to date manner. These records contain all the information of the CNAs related to their educational background or qualifications, their present work status as well as their contact details such as address and phone numbers. Employers who are willing to hire new CNAs can easily get all the required information from the State Nurse Aide Registry and be sure about the background and qualifications of the potential CNA employees.

Candidates can also obtain all the information they need about different kinds of training programs from the State Nurse Aide Registry. The registry contains all the relevant and latest information of the training programs in the medical field. Candidates can easily access this kind of information by simply visiting the State Nurse Aide Registry. The registry also offers information on the state and federal laws as well as regulations and candidates can keep track of the same by contacting the registry. Candidates can also renew their CNA certification form the registry.

Thus, we see that the State Nurse Aide Registry has an important role to play in the life of CNAs and in general all the healthcare professionals. Being in regular contact with the registry will ensure that you stay updated with the latest trends in the healthcare field and possess the required knowledge of the medical industry.

Role of CNA in Pediatrics

Child care involves the responsibility of providing complete care to the children and monitoring their health condition. The age of the children ranges between 0 to 13 years of age. In order to specialize in pediatrics or child care, the CNAs need to fulfill the same requirements as that of a regular CNA. Candidates need to go through the state-approved CNA training and clear the CNA certification examination in order to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

The pediatric nursing assistants are responsible for assisting the pediatricians as well as pediatric nurses in the treatment of children, and in the process of comforting the children while they undergo various medical procedures and different kinds of medical tests. The pediatric nursing assistants need to be patient as well as very empathetic towards children. The nursing assistants also need to possess good bedside mannerisms to be able to comfort the child and make them feel relaxed.

The pediatric nursing assistants have to report to the nursing supervisor or at times to the clinical unit manager for the various kinds of nursing assignments. These nursing assistants have to assist the children while dressing and grooming. They also have to check schedules as well as carry out certain types of clerical duties as and when required.

In order to perform the duties of a pediatric nursing assistant, candidates need to undergo an accredited CNA training course and clear the CNA examination to obtain the CNA certificate. There are several community schools as well as colleges that offer CNA training courses that are for a duration of about two years. The contents of the examination as well as other important details vary according to the state. Additional programs as well as certifications should be considered by candidates aspiring to become pediatric nursing assistants. Obtaining certifications in First Aid, Blood borne Pathogens as well as CPR would increase the chances of employment.

The CNA training programs are offered by many community schools and colleges as well as various health-care facilities. These training programs are approved by the state and consists of 75 hours of training including theoretical as well as practical or clinical sessions. CNAs who specialize in child care or pediatrics are known as CPNA, that is, Certified Pediatric Nursing Assistants. These pediatric nursing assistants are responsible for taking care of children in the health-care facilities and monitoring the health condition of the children.

While taking the formal CNA training, these candidates can also take part in various kinds of internship programs. This internship is likely to be conducted in a pediatric unit of a hospital or any day care center. Internships will help the pediatric nursing assistant to get familiar with their job responsibilities and get accustomed to the medical environment as well as to the duty of handling children.

Dealing with children is not very easy, and hence the pediatric nursing assistants need to possess excellent communication skills to be able to interact with the small children and understand their needs and requirements. The nursing assistants need to be composed at all times and handle the children in an effective manner. Children may hesitate or be reluctant to undergo the medical procedures. It is the duty of the pediatric nursing assistants to convince the children to take the treatment so that they are able to recover fast. These nursing assistant need to have a positive and cheerful attitude while interacting with the children so that the children feel good in their company.

The pediatric nursing assistants are also responsible for taking care of the daily needs of the children. They have to help the children with bathing, feeding, dressing and moving around. They also have to assist the children in performing various kinds of exercises. They have to measure and record the vitals of the children and carry out CPR testing. They have to maintain all the necessary records and document all the essential information and report the same to the senior nurses or the pediatricians. The children are sensitive, and hence the pediatric nursing assistants have to be very careful in dealing with them.

Hence, if you wish to pursue your career as a pediatric nursing assistant, you can start your search for employment in a pediatric unit of a hospital or any other health-care facility. The salaries earned by these nursing professional are quite decent. The average salary for pediatric nursing assistants ranges from $11-$12 per hour. The demand for these professional is also on the rise and hence it is an attractive career option.

The role of CNAs is pediatrics is quite challenging and needs to be fulfilled with great care and passion. You need a lot of patience while dealing with the small children which can be difficult at times. However, if you love children and are inclined towards the medical field, then becoming a pediatric nursing assistant may be the right job for you.

Private CNA Schools

The number of candidates who aspire to become Certified Nursing Assistants and pursue a career in the medical or healthcare field is rising, and hence there is also a significant rise in the number of schools offering the CNA training. It's a general perception that doing the CNA training from a school which is recognized by the state and is an accredited one is always better. However, you can always choose to pursue the CNA training from private CNA schools.

It is important that you pass the CNA certification test as this is one of the major criteria of becoming a CNA, irrespective of from where you have done the CNA training. So, whether the CNA school is an accredited one or it is a private CNA school, it does not really matter as long as you are clear the CNA certification exam. The situation varies from state to state. So, if your state just requires the CNA license for employment in the health-care sector and does not consider the school that you have taken the training from, you can go ahead and pursue the CNA training offered by private CNA schools.

Private CNA Schools 

The quality of the CNA training that is offered by private CNA schools does not vary much in comparison to the CNA training that is offered by accredited schools. You need to put in a certain number of hours for the CNA training, and the attendance needs to be really good as it is one of the mandatory requirements to complete the CNA training successfully. Both the theoretical as well as clinical or practical sessions need to be attended properly. The private CNA schools provide an internship to the candidates for practical sessions in a good health-care facility. The candidates need to ensure that they perform really well while on-the-job as their skills will be evaluated later for certification.

Besides completing the required amount of CNA training for the stipulated number of hours, you also need to ensure that your performance is good so that you are eligible to sit for the CNA certification examination. In case of private CNA schools, the training duration is much less as compared to the accredited CNA schools.

Short term course or crash courses are quite popular when it comes to private CNA schools. In such courses, the training duration is quite less and hence the fees are also relatively lower. In case of accredited CNA schools, the CNA training duration extends up to 6 months and the fees for the courses are also very high. These accredited schools follow the semester pattern for CNA training. So, candidates who are pressed for time and wish to complete the CNA training at a faster pace should definitely enroll for the CNA training that is offered by private CNA schools. Candidates who cannot afford the regular fees for CNA courses offered by the accredited schools can also enroll in private CNA schools where the fees are much lower.

Before you enroll yourself in any private CNA school, make sure that you take a close look at the quality of the CNA training that is provided by the school. You can also check if the school offers any placement assistance or helps you in getting the desired job in the healthcare field. Many private CNA schools do offer guidance for placement and you can definitely benefit from this facility by getting a lucrative job offer after successful completion of the CNA training and certification.

You can also look for some kind of feedback from the alumni of the private CNA school where you have made an application. You can ask the alumni about the training quality, the instructors or professors as well as the kind of placement assistance provided. Do enough research so that you are sure that you are enrolling in one of the good private schools and you are in safe hands as far as the CNA training is concerned.

You can get the required information on the list of private CNA schools from the Internet. You can also pay a visit to different schools to get the necessary information. Apart from this, you can ask other healthcare professionals about their recommendations of some private CNA schools.

Thus we see that there are many advantages of enrolling in a private CNA school. The quality of training remains the same as that of accredited schools and is not compromised on. The training duration is less as well the course fees are relatively lower. Hence, candidates get an opportunity to complete the CNA training at a faster pace and at a cheaper cost. So, after studying the pros and cons of different private CNA schools, you can definitely choose and enroll for one that provides the best CNA training so that you can have a successful career in the medical field.

Prevention of Back Injuries for CNAs

It has been noticed that there are several cases of back injuries in the nursing profession. CNAs are prone to back injuries while doing their jobs, and hence need to know the tips on prevention of back injuries to stay healthy and fit for the job.

CNAs come in direct contact with the patients on a regular basis, and many times they have to engage in lifting the patients, or moving the patients from the wheelchair to the bed or vice versa or simply moving the patients to different rooms. In this process, there are high chances of the CNAs getting back injuries. It is necessary that the CNAs follow proper guidelines while lifting the patients and take care not to hurt themselves or the patients. However, lifting the patients is not an easy task and CNAs can injure their back in this process. They need to life the patients in a proper manner in order to avoid any kind of injuries.

CNAs have to always be on their toes while on-the-job, and there are very rare chances that the CNAs may find time to actually sit down and relax. They have to take care of the patients daily and while doing their duties the CNAs may have to bend many times to perform the various chores, they may have to sit in varied positions and at times may also have to lift the patients and help them move around. The patients rely on the CNAs for their daily tasks and for this reason, it is extremely important that the CNAs keep themselves mentally as well as physically very fit. When CNAs are able to manage themselves well, only then they will be able to handle the patients in the proper manner. The patients are sick and require support from the CNAs who need to ensure that they are capable of lending such support to the ailing patients. CNAs thus need to ensure that they are calm and composed at all times as well as physically strong so that they can avoid injuries, especially back injuries.

The mental as well as physical strength of CNAs is put to test while attending the sick patients. Taking care of the patients requires lot of patience and is not at all easy. It has been observed that there are many CNAs who suffer from back injuries in the process of taking care of the patients. It is necessary for the CNAs to take precautions and follow all the correct instructions while lifting or moving the patients. These instructions are taught to the CNAs in the CNA training courses. By following all the given instructions, CNAs can ensure that they are not suffering from back injuries.

While lifting the patients, it is necessary to take into consideration the weights of both the parties, that is, the weight of the patient who is to be lifted and the weight of the CNA who is going to lift the patient. Accordingly, it needs to be decided whether the CNA can and should life the patient. In case the patient is overweight or too heavy in comparison to the CNA, then it is recommended that the CNA takes help of a colleague to lift that patient. This way, the CNA can ensure that there is no harm caused to either of them.

CNAs can take help of a slider board in order to move the patients from one bed to the other. This board can be kept under the patient's body while the other end of this slider board can be kept on the bed where the patient needs to be moved and accordingly the patient can then be slid to the other bed. This way there would be minimum chances of back injuries for the CNAs.

While dealing with patients on wheelchairs, it is recommended for the patient to sit in a straight or upright pose, parallel to the position of a CNA. The CNA can then slide the arms around the patient's waist and bend on the knees to move the patient into the wheelchair. This way, the maximum load will come on the knees and chances of back injuries will be reduced.

Majority of the healthcare facilities nowadays have advanced equipment to help the CNAs lift and move the patients. CNAs need to take precautions while doing their duties and need to follow all the instructions given by senior nurses as well as doctors properly while carrying out their tasks. In case the CNAs are still facing problems or having back injuries, it is recommended that they seek professional help immediately in order to avoid any serious medical problems. In order to take care of the patients, the CNAs first need to take care of themselves and be physically as well as mentally very fit so that they can handle the patients effectively and can enjoy their work.

Nursing Assistant's Work Objectives

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) come in direct contact with the patients on a daily basis and have to take care of the ailing patients. They have to ensure that the patients are properly taken care of and help them in the recovery process. CNAs also act as an important link between the patients and the senior nurses as well as doctors and have to make sure that they keep track of the patient's health condition. There are some nursing assistant work objectives that the CNAs need to keep in mind while on-the-job.

Following are the nursing assistant's objective for work:

Personal Care 

Nursing assistants have to help the patients perform their daily tasks such as bathing, feeding, moving around, grooming, dressing as well as undressing. They are also responsible for collecting specimens from the patients as well as for administering medicines and certain treatments. The nursing assistants may also at times have to help the patients for recording their weight. Apart from this they have to record the patient's vitals like pulse rate, temperature and so on.

Physical Duties 

Nursing assistants are responsible for changing the linen either in the hospital rooms or the patient's home. They are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, and hence have to clean the rooms and other work areas in the health-care facilities. Nursing assistant may require to lift the patients sometimes in order to help them move. They may have to transfer the patients from the wheelchair to the bed and vice versa. They are also responsible for setting up all the patient care equipment.

Nursing assistants are also assigned the duties such as, serving as well as collecting food trays, restraining the sick patients in case it is necessary, repositioning the bedridden patients in order to prevent bedsores, and keeping track of patients' health conditions and reporting the same to the senior nurses or doctors.

Administrative Objectives 

The administrative objectives of nursing assistants consists of answering phone calls and directing visitors to the right patient's room in the health-care facility. They are also responsible for delivering messages, documentation and doing certain clerical tasks. The nursing assistants also can schedule appointments with doctors for the patients.

Promote Positive Patient Care 

CNAs come in direct contact with the patients and they are in regular touch with the patients. The nursing assistant need to ensure that the stay of the patients is comfortable and they have to make the patients feel at ease. The nursing assistants should carry a positive attitude and support the patients who are sick to help them in speedy recovery. The nursing assistants need to be devoted and committed to their work and also towards patient care so that the patients feel relaxed and they recover at a faster pace.

Provide Emotional Support to Ailing Patients 

The nursing assistants come in touch with the ailing patients who are not only suffering physically, but are also mentally and emotionally distressed. It is the duty of the nursing assistant to lend a helping hand and offer the required mental and emotional support to the patients. They have to show empathy towards the patients condition and understand their needs well so that they can help the patients effectively.

Ensure Health as well as Safety of Patients 

The main goal of the nursing assistants is to ensure good patient health. They have to ensure that the patients are safe in the health-care facility and all their needs are met. They have to maintain cleanliness and hygiene to avoid the spreading of infections and diseases. They have to ensure that the health and safety of the patients is their top most priority.

Help in Proper Operation of the Medical Facility 

Medical or health facilities run best when each and every individual or worker in the facility works in coordination with others and cooperates with other coworkers. This implies that it is necessary for the nursing assistants to be good team players and have the ability to work cooperatively. The goals of the team should be more important than individual goals, ultimately for the benefit of the patients and the medical facility.

Share Medical Knowledge 

The nursing assistants have good knowledge about the basic medical treatments and it is a good practice to share this knowledge with the patients and their friends and family members. This will give them hope about the patient's recovery and reduce the mental pressure on them. Nursing assistants need to give quality care to the patients and in this process sharing of knowledge can go a long way in taking good care of the patients.

Other Objectives

It is also the responsibility of the nursing assistants to have good communication and interpersonal skills so that they can convey the messages properly to the patients, family members, doctors, senior nurses and coworkers. They have to plan and prioritize their tasks and manage their time effectively while handling the patients. They have to not only provide emotional support to the patients, but also have to help them in resolving conflicts and handling stressful situations so that it does not affect their health adversely.

Free CNA Schools

The demand for CNAs is rising, and hence the demand for the CNA training as well as the CNA schools is also rising. Along with this rise in demand for CNA professionals as well as CNA schools, the cost of the CNA training is also rising. There is a need for quality training, good instructors as well as proper study material and medical equipment, which shoots up the cost of the CNA training program. However, not all the candidates can afford this cost. Hence, such candidates can look for free CNA schools that offer CNA training at a lower cost. It is important to note that there is nothing like a completely free CNA training.

In case of the free CNA schools, candidates need to pay a certain minimum portion of the course fees and the remaining cost is borne by government the grants or various other scholarships aided by the government for such free CNA schools. There also exists various kinds of initiatives taken by the respective departments of the state for helping candidates aspiring to become CNAs, but who cannot afford the training cost. There are also some trusts that help the desirable candidates by paying a part of the CNA training fees by means of various scholarships. Candidates, however, need to sit for an examination and clear it in order to get such a scholarship or grant. Such exams aim to evaluate you on the basis of your communication as well as analytical skill sets to understand whether you are eligible for the CNA training.

The free CNA schools also offer CNA training through the Internet. They are thus also referred to as CNA online schools. The advantage of such online schools is that apart the low training fees, they offer a lot of flexibility to the candidates as the candidates can study as per their wish whenever they want to. You can manage your time by selecting the free online classes that are offered in the morning or evening time or during weekends.

These free CNA schools do offer the CNA training, however you need to evaluate the value of the CNA certification that is offered by these schools. You can check if these free CNA schools are accredited ones, as majority of the employers give preference to candidates who are certified from accredited CNA schools.

There are certain government agencies that offer loans to candidates who wish to become CNAs. This loan can be repaid once you get a good job. There are also grants which are offered by certain nursing schools that can help you pay the CNA training fees. You need to keep in mind that these scholarships as well as grants have certain eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill in order to avail them. Hence, it is better that you conduct a proper research on such free CNA schools and the various types of scholarships as well as grants offered, so that you can take care of the fees.

You can also pay a visit to hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities that provide internship facilities to the candidates. You can find out this information while you are still pursuing the free CNA training. While doing the internship, you can gain an understanding of the responsibilities and different tasks of the CNAs, and you can get a chance to become familiar with the healthcare environment. You will also understand ways to interact with patients as well as senior nurses and doctors. This will give you a chance to improve your practical or clinical skills.

When enrolling in a free CNA school, candidates also need to know if the training provided is of good quality and conducted by trained professionals. The candidates also need to check if they will be trained on interpersonal as well as communication skills. A training in soft skills is extremely important for the CNAs as they come in direct contact with the patients on a regular basis and they are responsible for helping the patients do their daily tasks as well as understand the patients' basic needs. The CNAs are responsible for helping the patients with bathing, feeding, dressing as well as moving around. They also have to ensure that the patients take the medicines on time. Thus, the free CNA schools need to train the candidates in all these important aspects of the nursing profession.

There are some free CNA schools which also provide work study programs for candidates, giving them a chance to earn while they are learning. This implies lowering the course fees by the free CNA school. Such programs help you develop your clinical skills and understand the roles of nursing assistants in a better fashion while on-the-job. In case you are already employed with some healthcare facility, you can request your employer to sponsor the CNA training. This is generally done on the condition that you continue working with that healthcare facility for a certain period after completing the CNA training.

Client Care Tips for CNAs

The main responsibility of CNAs is to take care of the patients in the best possible manner. The CNAs need to understand the client or the patient's behavior as well as their needs and take care of them in an effective manner. Here are some client care tips for CNAs.

CNAs should be aware of the client's mentality and behavioral patterns in order to assist them in a proper manner. Handling patients can be a very difficult task and CNAs need a lot of patience to manage this duty well. The clients are sick and they need constant care and support and it is the duty of CNAs to ensure that the clients feel comfortable and are properly taken care of. They need to ensure that the patients feel relaxed and positive so that it can help the patients recover at a faster rate. CNAs are responsible for helping or assisting the clients in doing their daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and undressing, feeding, grooming as well as moving around. CNAs need to handle all these responsibilities in a proper manner by being committed to their jobs and demonstrating a willingness to help the clients.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant, it is very essential to stay calm and composed at all times. They also need to develop a lot of patience and dedication towards their work. They need to pay careful attention to the needs of the patients or the clients and handle them in the best way possible. They need to keep in mind that they have to always be polite and understanding while communicating with the patients to make them feel comfortable. They also need to listen carefully to the patients to understand them correctly.

CNAs are responsible for giving a bath to the patients. While doing this duty, the CNAs need to make sure that the client is in a position to take a bath and not feeling drowsy. If the client is feeling weak or a bit drowsy, it is recommended to give the client a sponge bath. The CNAs need to make sure that the bathroom is well lit and there is good ventilation. The CNAs need to explain the importance of bathing to the patients and encourage them to take bath everyday to avoid infections and to help them feel fresh and clean. The CNAs should never recommend weak patients to take bath on their own as they are at a risk of hurting themselves and they should help them out.

CNAs also need to take care of grooming of the clients. Proper grooming ensures that the clients feel good about themselves. Grooming has a positive psychological impact on the clients and makes them feel better. CNAs should encourage the clients to groom themselves so as to boost their confidence levels.

Dressing the wounds of the clients is another important task of the CNAs. Dressing the wounds on a regular basis avoids the spreading of diseases and infections. The CNAs also need to keep the hair and scalp of the clients clean. Oral care is also important and CNAs need to ensure that the clients brush their teeth regularly to avoid bad odor and mouth infections.

CNAs also need to pay attention to the diet and nutrition of the clients and ensure that the clients are consuming healthy food. They need to keep track of the patient's intake of food and observe the dietary patterns and check if there are any changes required in the same. CNAs also need to check if the clients are taking their meals at proper time. There are some clients who cannot really taste the food because of their illness and during such times it is the responsibility of CNAs to feed the client properly despite the food being tasteless. CNAs can take help of some of the spices or add some flavors to encourage the clients to have their meals. Fenugreek as well as spinach not only add taste to the food but also help in bowel movements. CNAs should encourage the clients to have food that is healthy for them, and which will help them in their recovery. In case the clients are facing some difficulty in chewing the food, it is better that the CNAs mash the food beforehand so that the clients can easily eat the food. If the clients are experiencing a heartburn, then the CNAs should advice the clients not to sleep immediately after having food. The CNAs also need to ensure that the clients drink enough water.

CNAs basically are responsible for complete care of the patients. It is their duty to make the clients comfortable and hopeful about their treatment and recovery. They need to behave in a polite and friendly manner with the clients and ensure that they give the required mental and emotional support to the clients. The responsibility of CNAs also revolves around creating a happy and positive environment for the clients in the health-care facility. CNAs can accompany the clients for long walks and spend good quality time with them.

CNA Certification Practice Test

In order to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, you need to clear the CNA certification examination which is not very easy. The candidates need to be thorough in their theoretical knowledge as well as clinical or practical skills in order to pass this examination successfully. Remembering all the medical and clinical terminologies is very important, but at the same time it can be quite difficult; and constant practice is required to gain confidence about clearing the examination. The CNA certification practice test can help you know the way the test is conducted and you can also gain understanding of the type of questions asked. By taking the CNA certification practice test, you can evaluate yourself and judge your performance in the CNA examination.

Need for CNA Certification Practice Test 

• The CNA practice test will likely lessen the pressure as well as the nervousness associated with taking the CNA examination for the first time. 
• You can understand the areas of study in which you are lacking and need more practice This will help you practice for the same and build your confidence. 
• You also become aware of all the mistakes once you complete the practice test, and hence it helps you to avoid making similar mistakes again. 
• In case you are relocating to a different state, the CNA practice test can help you get a clear idea about the examination in that particular state and how it differs from the earlier state. 
• You can also manage your time effectively by way of giving the practice test as you are aware of the time required to answer all the set of questions. The sample or practice papers can allow you to decide on the time you can allot for each section so that you do not miss answering any questions. 
• In certain states, you need to give the CNA examination for renewal of the CNA license. In this case, answering the CNA practice test can help you quickly brush through the knowledge and appear for the test. 
• You can also learn some tips and tricks to increase your score in the CNA examination with the help of the CNA certification practice test 
• It helps the candidates to relax while increasing their confidence in clearing the CNA examination. 

Requirements of a CNA Certification Practice Test 

• Candidates should be minimum of 18 years of age 
• Candidates should hold a high school diploma or a GED 
• Candidates need to finish a minimum of 75 hours of CNA program training 

What Does the Sample Question Paper Include? 

The sample CNA papers include questions that are most likely to be asked in the final examination; however, these are not the original or actual set of questions that will be asked in the final examination. By giving the CNA certification practice test, candidates can get an idea about the kind of questions that are asked in the final CNA examination and gain the necessary amount of practice to boost their confidence about clearing the examination.

The CNA sample papers include several examples and set of questions that can be simple and at times very tricky. There are case studies and real life situations that are presented in the sample paper that give you a picture about the medical profession. The sample papers contain questions which are multiple choice as well as questions on the practical or clinical skills. Some of the topics that are included in the sample papers are as follows: 

• Patients Rights 
• Social Needs 
• Communication Skills 
• Diseases as well as Infection Control 
• Safety Measures 
• Personal Care 
• Importance of Hygiene 
• Psychosocial Care 
• Restorative Services  
• Responsibilities of a CNA 

The pattern or the design of the sample paper is on similar lines as that of the actual CNA examination paper. It consists of around 50-70 multiple choice questions containing four options for each question. The time given for the practice test is about two hours.

Who Conducts Practice Tests? 

Prometric is one of the well known test centers that is also affiliated with the Nursing Board and it possesses the legal rights to carry out CNA practice examinations for the candidates. Prometric has several agencies that are widespread across the US. In order to avail the facility of giving the practice tests, the candidates are required to be registered on the official website of Prometric. You also need to pay certain fees (about USD 30) in order to appear for the practice test.

Nurse Aide Practice Written Exam Packet (NNAAP) is also a good practice kit for the CNA examination. This practice kit can be downloaded via the Internet. It also gives you the right answers for all the questions. This way, candidates can check their performance and know their mistakes. It acts as a good guide while preparing for the CNA examination.

There are also certain free websites that offer the CNA practice tests. CDs as well as different DVDs are also available and candidates can always check them to get help for the CNA practice tests. Some of the community schools as well as colleges also carry out these practice tests.

CNA certification practice test are a way of ensuring that you gain confidence to appear for the final examination. You can work on your weak areas and manage your time while giving the final examination. Hard work as well as continuous practice with these kind of practice tests will help you clear the CNA final examination with excellent scores.

Difference Between CNA and LPN

Both CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) as well as LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) hold significant positions in the medical or health-care industry. Many a times, candidates get confused between CNA and LPN. These 2 professions are different from each other. So, what is the difference between CNA and LPN?

There exists a huge difference between CNAs and LPNs in terms of the job responsibilities, education and training, scope of practice as well as the pay scale. LPNs have a broader scope of job duties and responsibilities in comparison to CNAs. The LPNs also are more independent as compared to CNAs. LPNs also earn much higher than the CNAs.

The training program for LPNs lasts for about nine months to a year. On the other hand, the training program for CNAs is for a shorter duration ranging from 120 hours to a couple of weeks. However, CNAs can acquire the necessary amount of skills, experience and knowledge to progress their career as LPN.

LPNs generally have a greater amount of responsibility as compared to CNAs. LPNS can administer medication or IV meds that are previously selected by MD or RN. CNAs are not permitted to administer medications.

LPNs are trained in basic anatomy as well as physiology and they can differentiate abnormal from normal in the body. LPNs are also familiar with the disease process. This training is not part of CNA curriculum. Pharmacology is another aspect which is part of the LPN training but not part of the CNA training.

It is always recommended to go in for CNA training before applying for an LPN course. CNAs receive higher priority in terms of being considered for becoming LPNs. CNAs get exposure in terms of the clinical setting, and hence the chances of them succeeding in becoming LPNs is more as well as the chances of them handling their job responsibilities are more in comparison to first time LPNs who do not carry any clinical experience.

Difference between CNA and LPN 

Training 

For becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, candidates need to undergo the CNA training that generally lasts from 4-6 weeks. The training needs to be approved by the state. For becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse, the candidates have to undergo the LPN training that lasts for one year. The clinical training lasts for a longer period in case of LPN training as compared to the CNA training.

Certification and License 

CNAs do not need license for doing their jobs. However, it is mandatory for CNAs for obtaining the CNA certification. The CNA certification is issued by the concerned state to candidates who complete the required CNA training course and qualify for the CNA certification examination.

For working as a LPN, it is necessary to get the license for LPN. To get the LPN license, candidates should finish the training course and qualify for the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination- Practical Nurse).

Validity of License 

From the issue date, the Certified Nursing Assistant certification stays valid for a period of 2 years. In certain states, there is a mandatory requirement to work as a paid nursing assistant for a certain period of time for getting the renewal of CNA certification.

From the date of issue, LPN licensure also stays valid for a period of 2 years. For getting the license renewed, LPNs need to continue educating themselves for a certain duration and also need to continue working as a paid employee in the nursing field.

Scope of Work

CNAs work under the guidance of LPNs. LPNs also supervise the work of CNAs. CNAs cannot perform the tasks and responsibilities of LPN.

In comparison to CNAs, LPNs come more directly in contact with patients. LPNS can carry out the duties of CNAs.

Job Duties 

CNAs carry out the following job duties: 

• Measuring patients' vitals 
• Controlling infection 
• Reporting the health condition of patients 
• Helping patients in dressing, bathing, moving as well as grooming 
• Helping the patients in ambulation 
• Taking care of the patient’s hygiene needs as well as nutritional requirements
• Collecting test samples 
• Cleaning the room of patients 
• Answering all call signals 
• Recording the food as well as food output and intake of the patients 
• Taking care of the necessary documentation 

As compared to CNAs, LPNs perform more number of duties which are as follows: 

• Cleaning medical equipments or instruments 
• Dressing wounds 
• Monitoring catheters 
• Preparing as well as giving injections 
• Giving massage 
• Performing laboratory tests 
• Recording of the patient's health condition and history

Salary 

CNAs may earn a salary of around $7 to $16 every hour. The salary of LPNs is much better in comparison to CNAs. LPNs may earn $12-$25 every hour.

Thus, there are several differences between CNA and LPN. However, CNA is like a stepping stone for career advancement in the medical or nursing field.

CNA Career Objectives

The job of a Certified Nursing Assistant is not an easy one and requires a lot of patience and dedication. Keeping in mind the CNA career objectives is an important aspect of being successful as a CNA.

While seeking a job as a CNA, it is important that you mention all the relevant information on your resume that reflects your ability and dedication towards the nursing profession. If you include any information that is irrelevant or baseless, then you might be rejected for the CNA job. It is essential that you possess the necessary educational qualifications as well as the necessary traits that are required to fulfill the CNA career objectives. It is important to mention the career objective in your CV or resume, and make sure that in this section you mention all the relevant details that give a good impression about yourself and ensure the employer that you are the best candidate for the job. Hence, it is first necessary to know and understand the CNA career responsibilities as well as objectives.

Responsibilities of CNAs 

CNAs typically work under the guidance and supervision of Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses. The major duty of the CNAs is to take care of the patients in hospitals, clinics as well as other health care facilities on a daily basis. The CNAs need to help or assist the patients in doing their day-to-day tasks such as feeding, brushing and bathing, dressing as well as moving. They also need to guide the patients when they do some kind of exercises.

CNAs are also assigned the duty of measuring and recording the vitals of patients like their blood pressure, pulse rate and so on. The CNAs have to report the medical or health condition of the patients to the concerned nurses or doctors. They also need to maintain all the necessary documents containing all the information about the patients and their treatment. CNAs also need to possess all the knowledge regarding the use of different medical instruments and equipments.

CNAs are also responsible for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. They have to ensure that the patients' rooms are neat and tidy at all times. They have to change the linens on a regular basis. They have to ensure that they avoid the spread of infection and diseases. The CNAs also have to assure restorative care and encourage the rights of the residents or the patients. CNAs also have to carry out CPR checks.

In order to take care of all these responsibilities, the CNAs need to have certain traits or qualities such as being calm and composed at all times, being sincere, and having a lot of patience and dedication for the job. These qualities will not only help them handle their responsibilities well but also help in maintaining cordial relations with patients, coworkers as well as senior nurses and doctors. Consistent performance is also very necessary to be successful as a CNA. CNAs need to ensure that they are physically fit as the job can be strenuous and CNAs need to be on their toes all the time.

CNA Career Objectives 

The prime career objective of CNAs is to offer total patient care. They have to carry out all their duties in such a manner that the patients stay happy and healthy and recover at a faster rate. They have to ensure that the patients are relaxed and provide them hope for their fast recovery. CNAs can also mention that they wish to work for the welfare of the society as their career objective on the resume, which will reflect really good on the employers. This kind of a career objective implies that the candidate is well aware of the responsibilities of the CNA job and is ready to face them.

When the patients get admitted in hospitals or in clinics, there is bound to be some kind of disturbance and emotional trauma experienced by the patients as well as their friends and family members. The objective of CNAs in such cases is provide the necessary amount of care and emotional support to the ailing patients as well as the distressed friends and family members.

Interpersonal skills of the CNAs also is an important aspect and the objective of all the CNAs should be to ensure maintaining cordial and healthy relations with the patients, senior nurses and doctors as well as with the coworkers. This will also help in the growth of the particular medical facility as the working environment will stay positive. CNAs should be good team players as they constantly have to coordinate with the patients and the nurses and doctors. CNAs thus need to be very social and interact with everyone in a proper manner.

As time passes. CNAs are able to gain all the necessary experience and knowledge about the various kinds of medical treatments. This helps boosting the confidence levels of the CNAs and helps them perform their duties more efficiently. It also takes care of their fear and helps them to manage job related stress.

CNAs thus need to understand the career objectives in a proper manner and aim to fulfill the same in the best possible manner. Besides having the necessary educational qualifications, CNAs also need to demonstrate a high level of dedication and levels of patience to be successful in their job of taking care of the patients. Fulfilling the CNA career objectives will help the CNAs in gaining job satisfaction and thus give a lot of contentment and happiness.

Renewal of CNA Certification

In order to continue your practice as a Certified Nursing Assistant, you have to make sure that you do the renewal of CNA certification in time. In order to do this, you first need to be aware of the requirements for renewal of CNA certification. It is essential that you have been working as a CNA for the last 2 years before renewing the certification. You can fill up the Nurses Aide Registry Renewal Form if you fulfill this particular requirement and request for renewal. You can also renew the CNA certification in case you do not meet this criterion.

The procedure for renewal of CNA certification is known as recertification. After every 2 years, CNAs are required to renew their certification. The renewal process needs to be completed earlier than the last day of the month that you were born in.

Criteria for the CNA Recertification Process 

One of the criteria for renewal is that the CNAs should have worked for at least 150 hours in a span of last 2 years. This requirement is different across different states and candidates are required to check it with the respective state board. The renewal needs to be done in order to make sure that CNAs are updated with the latest changes in the medical field.

During the renewal process, you need to submit a document as proof that you're a US citizen and can work in that country. This requirement is a standard requirement across various working boards. You also need to give a felony convictions declaration to the state nursing board. In case you fail to notify the board of any kind of convictions, it would be leading to immediate disqualification from the register of the board.

Application for CNA Recertification

 In the application for CNA recertification, the first section requires you to put in all your personal details. The employer has to fill the second section of the application if you are presently working. In case you are not working, then this section can be filled by your previous employer where you have worked for a minimum of 150 hours in the last 2 years.

Once the application is filled, you can mail the same to the state nursing board. It takes a couple of weeks to complete the renewal process.

Renewal of CNA Certification 

One of the major requirements for renewal of CNA certification is that you have to be employed as a CNA for the last two years. It is not important if you are employed presently or where you are working currently, as long as you have worked for a minimum of 150 hours as a nursing assistant in a span of 2 years.

You can obtain the renewal form from the Nursing Aide Registry. You need to get this form duly filled by your current or last employer. Make sure you don't forget to sign the application form and put in the date of application. Once the form is completely filled, you can mail the same to the local agency or office. The renewal process takes a couple of weeks for completion and if the state office has a website, you can always log on to the same to keep track of your application status.

There's a possibility that CNAs have been out of work for the last couple of years. In this case, the situation is managed in a different way in different states. Certain states may ask the CNAs to undergo the CNA training all over again and appear for the certification examination. This can take a lot of time and also turn out to be quite costly. Thus, it is better that you continue working as a CNA so that the renewal process will be relatively simpler. There are other states which may not require the CNAs to undergo training, but they would have to just give the certification examination. The CNAs would require to provide for the test fees as well as the state fees.

Process for Renewal of CNA Certification 

• You can obtain the renewal form from the Nursing Aide Registry 
• You can start filling up the form by providing all you personal details. This personal information forms part of the first section of the application form. 
• The next section has to be filled by your healthcare employer. This employer can be your current employer or the last employer with whom you have worked for at least 150 hours in the previous two years. 
• Once all the personal and employment details are filled, you need to sign the renewal form and fill in the application date. You then need to mail the application form to a local agency of your state. 
• It takes a couple of weeks to process the renewal application. You can always check your application status online on the website of the state. 

Renewal of the CNA certification is an important aspect in continuing your practice as a CNA. It is better that you are working for the last two years before renewal, or else undergoing the CNA training and examination can be quite time consuming as well as expensive.