i need a brief description on what CNA`s do.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2005

In a nutshell...CNA's deliver basic, non invasive hands on care to patients.

Including:

showers/bathing/Bed Baths

incontinence care

linen changes

shaving patients

brushing dentures or teeth

assist with transfers, to chair, to bed, etc

assist with walking

taking vital signs, ie temp, pulse, respirations, blood pressures

observing for changes in patients, ie behavior, skin condition, bowel

problems, eating pattern

assist with delivering, setting up trays or feeding patients

assurring patient safety & comfort

addressing other basic patient needs as needed

documentation within scope of practice

Reporting anything unusual or requiring attention by nursing to the LPN/RN in charge

Hope this helps!!

DusktilDawn · Sep 18, 2005

In a nutshell...CNA's deliver basic, non invasive hands on care to patients.
Including:
showers/bathing/Bed Baths
incontinence care
linen changes
shaving patients
brushing dentures or teeth
assist with transfers, to chair, to bed, etc
assist with walking
taking vital signs, ie temp, pulse, respirations, blood pressures
observing for changes in patients, ie behavior, skin condition, bowel
problems, eating pattern
assist with delivering, setting up trays or feeding patients
assurring patient safety & comfort
addressing other basic patient needs as needed
documentation within scope of practice
Reporting anything unusual or requiring attention by nursing to the LPN/RN in charge
Hope this helps!!

:yeahthat: And depending on where they work they may be allowed to do venipunctures, EKGs, and other tasks. Highschool, why not call HR at a few places where you live that employ CNAs, explain who you are and why your calling. You'd be surprised at how they may be willing to help you. I've done this as a college student for projects/assignments, once I had to call the local Health Units for statistics and other info, the person I spoke to provided all sorts of stats and info and even arranged for me to pick-up the info.

nursingstudent714 · Sep 19, 2005

i appreciate your responses.

Larry77, RN · Sep 19, 2005

At the hospital I work in CNA's also discontinue (take-out) Foley catheter's (urine catheter's) and IV's...along with EKG's. Also it depends on what department you work in. In the OR our CNA's become scrub-techs and are the ones that actually hold the retractors for the surgeons (tools that hold back tissue so surgeon can access surgical site).

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2005

All great descriptions, but a major pre requisit.....CARE.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2005

All great descriptions, but a major pre requisit.....CARE.

That's right...the most important quality!

Cute_CNA, CNA · Sep 19, 2005

One more thing... I've had older CNAs tell me this... don't be a CNA forever! Move on to something that pays better. I personally don't find it very satisfying. I'd recommend using it as a stepping stone.

allele, LPN · Sep 19, 2005

Along with what everyone said, you can also perform straight caths, insert foley caths, (you'd probably see this a lot in rehab, that's where I did it as a CNA), get blood glucose levels, and where I work now all CNA's are trained as monitor techs....they learn to read ECG strips and watch for dangerous rhythms (with practice they become VERY good!) I also have to reiterate the poster that mentioned that CARE is the MAJOR part of the job. The CNA's I work with are many times my eyes and ears for anything from an alarming IMED to a change in the way a patient looks, or assessing their skin when they do ADL's. Good luck! :nurse:

Larry77, RN · Sep 19, 2005

Along with what everyone said, you can also perform straight caths, insert foley caths, (you'd probably see this a lot in rehab, that's where I did it as a CNA), get blood glucose levels, and where I work now all CNA's are trained as monitor techs....they learn to read ECG strips and watch for dangerous rhythms (with practice they become VERY good!) I also have to reiterate the poster that mentioned that CARE is the MAJOR part of the job. The CNA's I work with are many times my eyes and ears for anything from an alarming IMED to a change in the way a patient looks, or assessing their skin when they do ADL's. Good luck!

In my state CNA's cannot insert Foley's or Straight Caths...is considered invasive procedure...only licensed staff. However in home care and assisted living procedures like those and med administration can be delegated to a CNA by an RN.

BTW...our CNA's also do glucometer checks...some loophole at hospital calling it delegated task...not sure how we get away with it because technically it is not legal in hospital setting per our Nursing Practice Laws...

michelleicu · Sep 20, 2005

I really, really ,really hate math but I really really want to give nursing a try but to be an lvn I need pre algerbra .I have not opened a math book since 1989!How can I refresh my brain,i'm fearful of whats ahead as far as dosage calculations .