What Kinds of Things Does a CNA Do?

If you've stumbled upon this article, you are probably taking some time to consider the possibility of becoming a CNA, also known as a certified nursing assistant. This is actually a great career to be in, with a big market for jobs. It's also very rewarding, and most people who work in this profession consistently rate it as an excellent career. But one thing you may not know about is what exactly a CNA does. Well, that's not too hard to explain. Let's take a look at basic CNA job duties, and what you can expect to do.

First of all, a CNA is an assistant to a registered nurse, so your orders and directions will most likely come from a nurse who has lots of experience working with patients, and lots of experience in the medical industry. You primary responsibility though will be to your patients, and you'll be doing a lot of things that help support their daily living activities.

For example, you might be doing things like helping with bathing or hygiene, helping transport or move a patient from one place to another, or helping with medications (although some states require a separate certification for these things). With that said, you'll also be assisting in procedures like medical measurements such as taking blood pressure, medical measurements like temperature, and even wound care and other things of that nature.

Aside from medical procedures and care, you might also be helping with normal living skills like cooking meals, and even keeping a patient company by visiting with them and having conversations. You may also be called upon to provide some measure of emotional support in times of need or when a patient is lonely or experiencing more trouble than usual with their illness.

Essentially, as a CNA, you are a jack of all trades in a sense, and you'll be called upon to do a number of things. Your job will never be boring, and you shouldn't ever get tired of doing the same thing over and over again because each day will represent a new challenge. Many people who work as CNAs say that they find their job incredibly interesting and fulfilling at the same time. One of the reasons people rate it as incredibly fulfilling is because they're able to see how they can change people's lives on a daily basis and really make a difference. All in all, being a CNA is a great profession that is truly rewarding and challenging all at the same time.