Appearance and Personal Hygiene for CNAs

The professional success of an individual depends on his/her appearance. This is true in case of the nursing profession also. Though the CNA course may not focus a lot on the appearance aspect, it is mandatory for all the CNAs to be clean and tidy at all times, as the profession demands it. As a CNA, you are responsible to keep the patients neat and tidy and hence your appearance and personal hygiene will be a deciding factor on how well you can handle this duty.

In the training course of CNA, personal hygiene is an important lesson that is taught. Your personal hygiene and your appearance are critical factors in a profession like CNA. When you are a nurse or a nursing assistant, it is important that you wear scrubs. The style as well as the color of the scrubs may vary according to the healthcare facility that you are serving in, but wearing the scrubs is a must. You need to wear scrubs everyday and hence, it will help you if you have several scrubs with you. You also need to keep the scrubs clean so that you can wear a clean set to hospital on a daily basis. Remember that wrinkles give a very unimpressive and unprofessional look; so make sure that you wash and iron the scrubs on a regular basis to be at your professional best in terms of your appearance.

Other than taking a bath on a daily basis and wearing clean scrubs and clothing, you also need to make sure that your nails are cut short. A lot of germs can gather underneath the long fingernails and they increase the chances of passing the germs on to the other patients.  

In order to keep fresh, you can wear a deodorant but make sure it's got a mild scent and does not smell too strong as patients may be allergic to certain smells and it might adversely affect them. Some patient may tend to feel sick as well as nauseous because of strong odors and hence it is best to avoid them.

Washing and keeping your hands clean before as well as after any medical procedure is also very important. Every healthcare facility will have a different set of rules and regulations as far as the cleanliness aspect is concerned; but usually you need to wash your hands with a soap which is medicated so that you are free from any germs. You also need to wash your hands after going to the restroom or when you are making an entry into the healthcare facility.

You should also ensure that you wear clean uniforms to the hospital or clinic that you are working in. Having a spare uniform in your locker can come handy in times of emergency. In the hospital, the patients are suffering from various types of diseases and you need to keep the environment clean and free from germs. Clean clothes are the best way to avoid carrying any kind of bacteria or germs on you.

CNAs may be required to be on their toes all the time and stand on their feet for long hours. This is especially true when CNAs have to assist doctors at the time of surgeries. Due to standing for long hours, the CNAs may experience pain in their thighs and calf muscles. In such cases, CNAs are recommended to opt in for compression hosiery to get some relief.

The kind of footwear that you wear also plays a role in creating the right or wrong impression. Try and avoid wearing heels as you have to move about a lot and wearing heels may not allow you to move around with ease. Also, avoid shoes that are open from the front as they give an unprofessional appearance. Clog style shoes can be worn by CNAs and they should be accompanied with socks all the time.

As a CNA, you are responsible for handling the patients and performing a wide range of duties. So, make sure that your clothing is comfortable and allows you to be at ease while performing your day-to-day tasks. Maintaining hygiene is of utmost importance, so make sure that the clothing is neat, clean and tidy.

When you are a CNA, your hair also needs to be neatly groomed in an appropriate style. If you possess long hair, it is best to tie it up in a bun or a pony tail so that it does not interfere while you are doing your work and is not unhygienic for the patients. You should wash your hair regularly to keep it clean and make sure you choose a style that suits your work and helps you work in a comfortable manner. It is necessary that you make your hair properly as you are constantly in touch with the patients and are also responsible for their daily feeding and clothing. You need to ensure that the patients' food is free from hair as well as dust; as it can cause harm to them.

Your mouth and teeth also need to be clean and be free from any kind of odor. You can chew some mint while on the job or simply ensure that you clean your mouth regularly to keep free of bad smell. This will make you comfortable while interacting with patients as well as doctors.

Following these simple tips can ensure that your appearance and personal hygiene is is place, and it will help you be at your professional best.