what is the role of a CNA

misserella8036 · Jun 29, 2007

I'm not currently working as a cna but I went to school to get certified as one. It's a good way to get used to working in the field. You do the "icky" but very important work. If you work in med/surg or a nursing home you give baths,change diapers,linens,trash, chart vitals. TONS of lifting. Help people with ADL's. It's definetely NOT a glamorous job. I think it would be a good start to a future nursing career. They don't get paid much. Here in texas they only make about $8/hour. Good luck

Annebug · Jun 29, 2007

I was never certified, but I worked as a nursing assistant during school. I was paid something like 13.00 an hour--it was more for me because I didn't have benefits, and I was moving from a higher-paid position. I think they usually get 9 or 10 an hour in the hospital, and a lot less at nursing homes, just from what I've seen advertised.

The role varies depending on where you work. I did vital signs, measuring input/output, assisting with feeding, toileting. LOTS of lifting. Helping the nurses with anything they needed.

Good luck.

SmileyCNAII · Jun 29, 2007

CNA's also are valuable in the ED. We:

Do EKG's

Take pts to x-ray, to the units when admitted, etc

Do vital signs, urine dip tests, UPT testing

Clean people up as necessary (whether it be from a BM, or blood from an accident)

Be the eyes and ears of the nurses, watching for pt safety, pts who need something, etc

Help families whether they need something to drink, a blanket, etc

Do compressions during CPR

We do anything and everything that someone may need on the unit, including stocking, running for items etc.

I took an extra class to get to be a CNA II so I can do foley catheters, suctioning, fecal disimpactions (those are fun,,, NOT), and several other small things.

In the ER the starting pay is between $9-10/hour

There is a good deal of lifting but not near what there is on a floor or in LTC

Working in the ER ROCKS!!!!! We see things you would never get to see, meet people you would never get to meet and to do things you would never get to do on the floor or in LTC.

Hope that this helps...Nancy

buildingmyfaith57 · Jun 29, 2007

ive been a cna for 20 years. and i have come across some people that would say i would never work in a nursing home or hospital because of the kind of care they would have to give. like bed baths, changing diapers,showers etc etc. will when they realize that they we're having a hard time getting a job anywhere else. they decided to give nursing a try. after they gave it a try they really enjoy it and decided to move farther into nursing.