What are the usual duties of a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)?
Asked by california
I am considering that as a career path, but want a little more information. If you can only answer the main question, that is fine. If you can also answer these questions, than please do. Is one likely to live comfortably as a CNA? How long is the training?

Best Answer:
I have worked as a qualified CNA for 16 yrs. It is a great rewarding job but very hard work. If you work with HIGH CARE and DEMENTIA patients well then you will always works in pairs.....which is great. You wash and dress residents....document their daily medical history...report any changes to the nurse in charge....she relies on you totally.....you feed those who are unable and chat with those of sound mind but poor bodies....they LOVE you!!! I have always found that this job always attracts a great type of person...empathetic and kind and careing.....so you work with a lot of great friends....(well most of them !!) I am always amazed at the age of a lot of the workers....it is admirable that the YOUTH get in there and do their careing bit for humanity. GOOD LUCK...you will love it.and there is no end to the hours you can do...........you will NEVER be out of work. My course took 6 mths part time and you can work while you do the course.Once an institution knows you are enrolled they will employ you.

CNAs are the lowest payed staff in the nursing home. seriously, you should take the 2 year LPN or RPN course instead then you can work on regular wards in hospitals and in doctor's offices. MOst LPNs are unionized so they make great wages.
Answered by Leeward side

Im A graduate of cna after i graduate last year i volunteered to work in a maternity hospital where i was assigned ti take vital signs and assist on deliveries same job as nurse but only you cannot administers on medicines...but im working in a website company right now since before i took cna i took up computer science..it will take you 1 year to complete the cna course..
Answered by mybabyfudgee

ive been an stna for almost two years now, and i love it. the job is so rewarding, and you get to meet new people and learn life lessons. as an aide, you assist with their activities of daily living i.e.- bathing, eating, dressing, using the restroom etc. you do vital signs, and some nursing homes are now allowing the aides to pass pills and administer shots, after taking a test at the facility. many facilities also allow aides to check blood sugars, if they have been tested on it. however, the downfall is that we are the lowest paid in the work setting. but, it also depends on your place of employment. i make more than ten dollars and hour, and the pay checks are nice when hours build up. it took me a year to become an aide, but my mom just went through a school, and it only took two and a half weeks. :)
Answered by Micah D

I have been an STNA for 3 years and it's a rewarding job, however extremely stressful. Here's some of the duties of a STNA/CNA: *Answering call lights, passing snacks/drinks/ice, changing incontinent residents, making beds, pulling trash bins, cleaning hazardous spills, dealing with uncontrolable/mentally unstable patients, walking/exercising patients, answering telephones, charting/documenting, providing transportation to activities, meals, etc. for those who cannot wheel themselves around, socializing and providing companionship, providing showers/bedbaths, doing laundry, lifting and moving residents who cannot, emptying foley bags, measuring intake/outputs, etc. You will provide all care for a patient from sun up to sun down from denture care to wiping their behind :) It's dirty work, but it's not all bad, either. I make $12.00/hr. about 32 hours/ week and attend a RN/BSN program full time. I drive a $25,000 car, own a home with my boyfriend, and go out just about every other night! Yes, you can live comfortably especially if you have a spouse. ( I have no kids) The class is required to be a minimum of 80 hours, and an additional 16 hours of clinical experience. Many schools offer am or pm part time classes, or a two week full time class. Good Luck! It's hard work, but you'll love it!
Answered by LuvinLife2434