subject: All about a Nursing Assistant [print this page] All about a Nursing Assistant All about a Nursing Assistant
A nursing assistant, also called a nurse aide helps a nurse or doctor with the care of patients. The assistant will normally work under registered nurses supervision and his or her main duties include feeding, dressing, bathing and personally caring for the patients. Although the job may seem very easy in the eyes of many, it can be very challenging and therefore proper training and skills are needed to make it less tedious.
The assistants are also responsible in observing the patients and reporting on how they are doing. Other functions include transporting patients, making their beds, answering calls on their behalf etc. They are exposed to so many diseases and therefore are prone to getting contaminated in their line of duty. This means that one needs to be well trained to ensure that as he or she takes care of the patients, personal health and well being is observed.
Nursing aides work in various health care settings which may include home health institutions or agents, private homes, nursing homes, hospitals and mental institutions. To fit in these settings one must possess all the necessary skills and qualifications since it can be very challenging. Physical fitness is a must as sometimes one may be required to lift a patient from one place to another.
Although no medical training background is required for one to enroll in CNA training courses, courses in computer skills, algebra, medical or dental assisting, biology and history as well as English are advantageous. Having a tolerant and patient personality comes in handy especially when dealing with irritable and very stubborn patients. One should be ready to deal with the most difficult patients and still manage to convince them to do what is required making the experiences less traumatizing both for the assistant and the patient.
A nursing assistant career is in demand as more and more caregivers are needed with each passing day. The elderly population for instance is growing hence the need to hire more caregivers in the different homes and institutions for long term care. People with disabling conditions or suffering from chronic illnesses also require special care and attention making the profession very marketable.
It is very possible to rise to the heights of success when in the nursing field and it stands to be one of the most marketable courses in the world today.
