What does a Certified Nurse’s Aide Do?

Certified nurse’s aides (CNAs) work under the direction of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses. CNAs work in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes.

Certified Nurse's Aide responsibilities

Also known as nursing aides or nursing assistants, CNAs provide basic care and help with activities of daily living. Depending upon their level of training and the state in which they work, some may dispense medication.

Their responsibilities include:

• Cleaning and bathing patients or residents
• Helping patients use the toilet and dress
• Listening to and recording patients’ health concerns and reporting information to nurses
• Measuring patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
• Serving meals and help patients eat
• Turning, repositioning, and transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs

Career outlook for CNAs and nursing assistants

Like many positions within the health care industry, demand for certified nurse’s aides will increase steadily for the foreseeable future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of CNA jobs is expected to increase by 21% by 2022. This can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing average age of the U.S. residents who require more procedures; federal legislation (the Affordable Care Act) will increase the number of insured people in the country; as medical practices switch to electronic health records, medical assistants responsibilities will continue to change.

Interested? Call us for more information!

If you are interested in a rewarding career in the growing health care industry and would like to know more about American Institute’s Nurse's Aide Program, call 888-387-5260.