Breaking Into the Medical Field As a CNA
A certified nursing assistant works in the healthcare industry in a supportive capacity with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, as well as with many physicians in hospitals, clinics, hospices, nursing homes, and retirement communities in every geographical region of the country, as well as in many parts of the world.
Educational Requirements
A CNA studies at either a community college, a traditional college, or at one of many medical trade and technical schools located around the country. A potential job seeker in this position may get her education either in a physical classroom setting or she can do all of her academic education online in the comfort of her own home. The main goal is to pass a written examination in order to receive a certificate so she can be called a certified nursing assistant. She'll have to study courses in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, pathology and pharmacology. Some programs will also require a mathematics component in the certified core curriculum. The time it tales to attain her certificate depends on which school she's attending and if she's studying part time or full time, but it can be from several months to two years.
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Job Responsibilities
Being a CNA is a superb way to break into the medical profession because the training and educational period is not prohibitively long such as studying to be a physician or dentist. Job tasks and responsibilities include assisting registered and licensed practical nurses, helping take vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and temperature. She also often carries trays of medications in to the rooms of patients who are in hospital beds. She also reads and analyzes patients' medical charts and then waits for either the registered nurse or the physician to give her specific instructions and orders on how to help comfort and treat each patient. A CNA has to be adaptable, and be able to communicate effectively with management, supervisors, her boss, physicians, as well as patients. Being dedicated, disciplined, and having a strong and studious work ethnic will also help her in the everyday workplace environment.
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Future Advancement and Outlook
According to the bureau of labor statistics, a CNA can pursue additional nursing training to become a registered or licensed practical nurse. She can expand her skill sets even more by learning to be a phlebotomist, an x-ray technician, or a physician's assistant and to help physical and occupational therapists. The job outlook through 2016 is very bright for CNAs since the population is aging and more people will require better overall healthcare support in a caring and compassionate capacity that most CNAs possess.
